While a coach at Gettysburg College, John Yovicsin used a wide-open acrial game. But since moving to Harvard, he has gradually shifted to a ground-gaining game. During his first year with the Crimson, Yovicsin's quarterbacks compiled an average of 85.7 yards per game in the air. Last year the figure had dropped to 43.8.

The switch was not the result of a change in philosophy. Rather it was the application of Yovicsin's basic tenet--at the offense to the personnel. Rather than trying to develop players for an offense, Yovicsin develops an offense to match the individual talents of his team.

"We haven't had passing players here very often," Yovicsin recalls, "so it only made good sense to go on the ground."

As was the case last year, this season the Crimson's biggest threat will be on running plays. Quarterback Mike Bassett is a good running quarterback, and he knows how to utilize the talents of his backfield, which includes such proven line crashers as Bill Grana and Scott Harshbarger, and break away specialists Hobie Armstrong, Bill Taylor, and Hank Hatch.

Harvard's attack will be similar to that of last year, but look for more passing. Bill Humenuk is a passing quarterback, as is Terry Bartolet, who returns after a year's absence. When these boys are in the game, footballs will tend to be pelled rather than carried.

In addition, Harvard's offensive thrust should be a little more sophisticated than last year. When Ted Halaby was injured early last season, Yovicsin was faced with the prospect of going with two sophomore quarterbacks, a sophomore fullback, and relatively inexperienced halfbacks. Now that this crew has had a season to gain confidence and learn new skills, Yovvy feels safer about trying greater diversity. The attack will be better balanced between passing and running, and there will be more pass option plays.

Bassett will probably do his passing from a roll-out pattern (giving him a chance to run if this proves expedient), while Humenuk and Bartolet will tend to drop back and hurl longer missiles. As the season progresses, halfbacks Taylor and Harshbarger, and maybe even fullback Grana might be doing some passing. If such a situation materializes, and if the line can provide the necessary blocking and pass protection, the Harvard attack, potentially explosive on the ground or in the air, will be difficult to defense.

Simple Offense

In spite of the plans to increase di- versity and sophistication, the total offensive scheme is quite simple. There are only about 15 basic plays derived from three basic series in the Crimson play curriculum, Yovicsin revealed.

Yovicsin pleads two reasons for this basic simplicity. The most important is the time factor at an Ivy School, and especially Harvard. "There just isn't time to teach the fundamentals and hundreds of plays in the few weeks of pre-season practice we are allowed," the coach commented. The other reason is Yovicsin feels that only plays engineered and executed with perfection will work in the college game of today. "I'd rather do fewer plays and do them perfectly," Yovvy said. "If we do what we try right, we'll win ball games. Simplicity is the key to perfection in offensive football."

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When Harvard lines up this fall, more often than not it will be in a solid-T with a balanced line. Yovicsin still likes to call his offense a flanker-T, however, and the Crimson will employ numerous variations.

Basic Harvard Formation

Harvard Wing-T or Flanker-T

One of the most common alternative positions will be a wing-T or flanker-T, with any of the three running backs set on either side. The attack is sill theoretically balanced with 5 1/2 men on each side of the center. A winged man may gain a better blocking angle on a particular play, to give added protection to a quarterback attempting a pass, or he can break away quickly to go for a pass. The wingback or flanker can also fool the defense into protecting the wing side, and then reverse on the play for a pitch-out or hand-off.