Harvard Stadium sat cold and deserted yesterday afternoon, a light green tarp covering the newly laid turf. Rain-laden winds whipped the colonnade.

Inside nearby Dillon Field House, coach John Yovicsin glanced at the Stadium occasionally, and talked in short phrases. He was obviously beginning to feel the strain and tension of the situation.

In Briggs Cage, coach Mike Cooley sent his Lehigh Engineers through a brief drill, making last minute adjustments in his formations. A policeman guarded the door to prevent Crimson espionage.

Everyone connected with today's football game was as grim as the weather. After a month of practices, the moment for testing had arrived.

Lehigh, still remembering last week's 27-0 humiliation by Delaware, considered itself definite underdogs and prepared for another tough game.

Harvard, which still hasn't forgotten Lehigh's last visit, and uncertain about the health of some key players, felt it couldn't afford to make any mistakes.

Although everyone thought about it, the weather has not forced either coach to make any major changes. Lehigh is predominantly an aerial team (Engineer quarterbacks threw 38 passes in 54 plays last week), and Harvard's main threat is running.

I Don't Know

Theoretically, rain and a soggy field is death to a passing team, but Yovicsin isn't so sure. "Bad weather is an equalizer," Yovvy claimed "Some people say a 'slow' field favors the passing team, because the receiver can get the jump on the secondary. I don't know."

Coach Cooley, however, felt that he would have to stay on the ground if the rain continued, "We'll have to pass some, though," he said. "We can't change our whole philosophy in one day."

The rain is expected to end this morning, but cold winds of 25-30 miles per hour are predicted for the afternoon. In any event, the tarp on the field and the new drainage system should keep the turf firm for at least the first half.

Strong Crimson Backfield

Cooley is primarily worried about Harvard's backfield. 'You have a hard time defensing that (Mike) Bassett boy," he said, "because he can do most anything out there. And (Bill) Grana will keep you honest on those off tackle runs. But you can't just worry about these two," he went on. "(Hobie) Armstrong will kill you coming around end if you're not careful."

Yovicsin is primarily worried about Harvard's line. "Our backs can do things, but the line has to give them time.

All Ivy Possibility