"It takes me a long time to get in good passing shape. It wasn't until just before the Dartmouth game that I reached top form," says Zimmerman, and anyone who has watched all the games will agree.

"Passing is so mental--you have to believe that you will complete every pass you throw," according to the lefty chucker.

If this is true, it's no wonder Zimmerman is successful, for he abounds in confidence.

Zimmerman also has "a lot of courage, and accepts challenges," says offensive backfield coach Pat Stark.

Star Is Born

This came out in the comeback against Dartmouth, in a second half that probably marked Zimmerman's emergence as a top flight quarterback. He was nervous and made some mistakes in the first two quarters; but in the third he settled down and led his team to the victory that has made the Crimson famous.

Passing is just a small part of Zimmerman's contribution. His blocks have sprung Bobby Leo and Vic Gatto for long yardage. He is, in Stark's words, "a smart runner, and handles the option well."

Maybe more importantly, he has good size and power and has been invariably successful picking up key yardage on sneaks up the middle.

If any aspect of his game is weak, it is his faking. Harvard's attack doesn't rely on deception, but Zimmerman is very much aware of this minor failing.

"It is often overlooked that he's a hard worker," says Stark "and he accepts coaching very willingly."

Steers Offense

But far above everything is the way Zimmerman has pulled Harvard's offense together. He knows he is working with a "dream backfield," and his primary job is to use his plays and players to fullest advantage.

Stark points to Zimmerman's first-down bootlegs and his quickness to run counter-plays off the series he sets up as examples of skillful playcalling.

No one maintains that Zimmerman approaches a one-man team. Harvard's first six wins have truly been team efforts, and an analyst could point equally accurately to the unexepected emergence of junior linemen Al Bersin and Stan Greenidge as stars as to Zimmerman.

But when a team ranks third in the nation with 399 yards gained per game, the director of the offense must be called out for an extra bow.