PROVIDENCE, R.I.--A Brown rally for 21 points in five minutes to open the second half dashed hopes of a Harvard upset and sent the Crimson to a 23-14 defeat Saturday on the unplayable, unattractive and unspeakable turf of Brown Stadium.

By the afternoon's close, the teams had grown indistinguishable, a constant, chilling rain having rendered the field a sodden, gelatinous plain, unfit for any athletic endeavor, except, perhaps, brown-water canoeing.

The loss drops Harvard to 1-6 this year, 1-4 Ivy and is its sixth straight, the longest losing streak for the Crimson since 1950.

Two Dave Cody field goals through the driving rain had boosted Harvard to a surprising 6-2 lead at half-time, but Brown charged ahead to stay good with the three third-quarter touchdowns.

The collapse began on the third play of the second half, when Harvard quarterback Burke St. John's pass intended for Rich Horner went instead to Brown defensive back Woodrow Pugh who returned it to the Harvard 40-yd. line. "He threw it right at me," Pugh said afterwards.

One play later, Brown's Rick Villella, who baffled the Crimson with 121 yds. rushing on 31 attempts, took off on a power sweep and ran over the Harvard defense for a 36-yd. touchdown and a 7-6 Bruin lead.

Harvard's Jon Hollingsworth then fumbled on the first play after the kickoff at the Harvard 28. On Brown's third down, at the 29, Carbone threw to Mitch Metz--all alone in the flat after his defender fell down--who ran from the 15 to the end zone for the second touchdown in 1:18.

Harvard then hung on for three downs and a punt--a 44-yd. beauty by Duke Millard--which Brown's Wayne Singleton returned 67 yds. to the Harvard 19, a touchdown saved only by a desperation tackle in the mud.

Pass interference against Harvard in the end zone gave the Bruins a first down on the 1-yd. line and from there Marty Moran plunged over, giving Brown a 23-6 lead and closing the longest 5:34 of the Harvard season.

First Blood

In the first half, the Crimson strode in front despite Bruin control of the ball for more than 65 per cent of the time.

Harvard struck first, and early. The opening kick-off pinned Brown at its own six and an ineffective offensive series, and a shanked punt gave the Crimson the ball at the Brown 41.

On second down St. John tossed over the middle to Horner, who scooted to the 20-yd. line.

The catch, Horner's first of the day, began another superb outing for the senior Californian who fought double and triple coverage all day long. His five catches for 99 yds. gave diminutive--5-ft. 8-in. and 150 lbs.--receiver 34 receptions and 576 yds. for the year, and extended his lead among Ivy League pass catchers. With two games left in the year, Horner's season is already the fourth best in Harvard history.

After Horner's grab, the drive stalled, and Cody, who had made only one field goal all year, a 25 yarder, came on for a 41-yd. attempt from the semi-liquid turf.