Last week Harvard was a well-balanced, hard-running, sure-passing team in the second quarter. There were only two problems penalties were far too frequent, and the boys took an awful long time to get going.
This kind of first quarter lethargy--best-evidenced last year in the Brown game--could mean deep trouble for Harvard against B.U. The Terriers no doubt about it, will come racing onto the field incredibly charged-up. The Crimson will have to strike hard, fast, and first. That is the main task today.
If the Crimson gains the upper hand quickly by, say, scoring two touchdowns in the first quarter, the game will turn into a rout. The Terriers will begin "trying too hard," as Lafayette's coach put it last week. They will make mistakes. And the Yovicsin attack is made to capitalize on enemy mistakes.
But Harvard may make the mistakes. If, for instance, one of those fast but fragile backs, bobbles the ball a few times, the contest could grind on to a two touchdown to two touchdown affair, with the Crimson winning by a kick or two.
I suspect the former will happen, although the latter is a distinct possibility. Harvard doesn't make too many errors. The attack is too sure and diversified. And Yoviesin, no doubt, has a few tricks up his sleeve, like the Strandemo swing passes he used last week.
B.U. will be keying on Vic Gatto, and Will Stargel will see a lot more action, perhaps with John Ballantyne and Ray Hornblower doing some backup. But if Zimmerman clicks and the offensive line give him protection. Harvard should do very well in the scoring department. As for the defense--10 fumbles, 3 interceptions, and holding Lafayette to 26 yards on the ground must mean something.
As for watching it happen at the Stadium or sitting in front of the tube--I'll leave that to you.