Harvard's shattered football forces take on ambitious Brown today in Providence. Harvard in heavily favored despite last week's 45-6 shellacking at the hands of Princeton.

Each year, Harvard coaches try to guard against an inevitable letdown in the Brown game. Coming as it does between the two Big Three bloodbaths, his next to last contest of the season sometimes lends itself to a sub-par Crimson performance. Harvard hasn't actually lost to Brown since 1959.

But the result last weekend--Harvard's shocking loss and Brown's equally shocking tie with favored Cornell--have no doubt served to get the Crimson players into psychological readiness.

Against Cornell, Brown fell behind 14-0 early in the first period. Then, for he first time this season, Coach Len Jardine's defense found itself, regrouped, and proceeded to shut out the Big Red and pinpoint-passer Bill Robertson for the rest of the day.

First Brown Ivy Non-Loss

When quarterback Harold Phipps got the offense moving is the second quarter, Brown was on the way to its first Ivy non-loss of the year. Phipps completed six of seven passes in the second quarter and threw a crucial two-point conversion pass to Greg Kontos after time had run out for the half. Neither team scored over the last thirty minutes, but only because of some brilliant Brown defensive play late in the fourth quarter.

Cornell twice had first downs at the Bruin four, but (reminiscent of Harvard against the Tigers) lost the ball both times, once on a fumble and once on a blocked field goal attempt.

After the game, Jardine, a fugitive from the Big Ten who has had his troubles in the "Cream puff" Ivy League (Brown is 0-4-1 in the League, 1-5-1 over all), praised several of his men.

On offense, Jardine had kind words for halfbacks Mike Maznicki (the son of Monk Manzicki of B.C. and Chicago Bear fame) and Tom Lemire, Maznicki and Lemire have gained about 300 yards between them o the ground this fall; fullback Steve Wormith has racked up 262 yards.

Jardine Praises Others

Jardine also mentioned ends Kontos (31 catches for 478 yards on the year) and John Olsen (13 for 165). Defensively, he singled out backs Joe Petrucelli, Tom Winner, Dave Jollin, and John Rallis; linebacker Tom Whidden; and linemen Sandy Stoddard and John Stone.

Harvard's physical condition, at least, should be somewhat improved last week. Massive fullback Gus Crim and shifty halfback Will Stargel are both reportedly ready to play, but tackle Chris Burns and safety John Tyson are both still sidelined.