Dartmouth doesn't tramp into the Stadium for two more days, but the Varsity was building a welcome bonfire yesterday in its two-and-a-half hour practice behind the fences and under the lights on Soldier Field.

Both offensive and defensive phases of the game received meticulous attention from the squad, and the earlier part of the afternoon was devoted to group work in which the squad split up for individual attention from Art Valpey's assistants.

Shafer Returns

The most encouraging sight of the day was the appearance of Paul Shafer in the signal drills. The big fullback, injured in the Army game, did not scrimmage, but will be ready for a good share of action Saturday.

Captain Ken O'Donnell and Howard Houston, two men whose labors against the muscle battalions of the Cadets were particularly exhausting, took it relatively easy yesterday. But the rest of the squad got their bumps.

For three-quarters of an hour, Valpey ran the Jayvees through Dartmouth plays while various combinations took cracks at them. The backer-up and end slots--"still up for grabs"--were filled by a series of men, with Dike Hyde and Walt Houston showing best at the ends. Bill Hickey, Don Stone, and Paul O'Brien all worked with Phil Isenberg and George Goodrich behind the defensive lines.

Running Attack Stressed

In the middle of the line, Dick Guidera has apparently made progress, as have Emil Drvaric and Nick Rodis. These men alternated with the others who have been playing regularly during the season.

Jim Kenary, Hal Moffle, Chip Gannon, and Shafer took turns in the signal drills running the offense. After Tuesday's long passing drills, more attention was paid to the running game, but all the regular passers threw enough to keep their arms limber and their eyes accurate.

Today will mark the end of heavy work for the team. The usual Thursday pattern, with heavy emphasis on the kicking game, will prevail. Tomorrow, in the Stadium, the team gets a final buffing in its game outfits.