"Everyone talks about Columbia's offense." Restic said Thursday, "but their defense is really underrated. They haven't allowed a point this year, to maybe it's their defense that makes them go."
Harvard's offense will be severely tested thin week, according to Restic, and it must control the ball to win. "We're got to keep that football away from them," he said. "They're very strong against the run, but we've got to go out and establish our ground game."
Restic hopes that the variety of sets and motion that his offense throws at an opponent will confuse the Lions enough to give Harvard an edge. "They had trouble with our motion last year," Restic said, "and their linebackers haven't really been tested against the pass. Our backs are going to take our passing game right to them."
Same Offensive Lineup
Restic will go with the same offensive lineup that he used against BU last week. Steve Sanvely will start at center, flanked by Bob Kircher and Doug Criss at the guards. The tackles will be manned by Tim Manna and Bil Ferry, Jeff Bone, coming off a solid performance last week, will be the wide receiver, and John Hagerty will hold down the tight end spot.
In the backfield, captain Ted DeMars will again pair with Mark Wheeler, and Marc Mayberg will be the fullback. Restic still refuses to name his starting quarterback until the day of the game, but on the basis of performance in the first two games, it would seem that Eric Crone has the inside track on the starling berth.
Harvard in hurting of defensive end. Mitch Berger, who re-aggravated an old knee injury last week, did not make the trip to New York, and his replacement, Fred Smith, is nursing an ankle injury of his own. But Smith hasn't seen much action this year, and it's not known how long and how hard he can go. If his ankle doesn't hold up, Harvard will be in a bad way.
Mike McHugh will be at the other end, Ed Vena and Mike O'Hare continue at the tackles, with Sandy Tennant it. Middle guard. Mark Fergusun and Bob Kristoff will make up the linebacking corps.
In the secondary, adjuster Steve Golden will be back, but Restic says he's still "not 100 per cent." He will go as long in his knee holds up.
Barry Malinoswski, Mike Murr, and Wes Shofner will round out the starting backfield, with Dave St. Pierre win led the Crimson in tackles against BU, and Joe Sciolla to see action.