It started with all the sullen signs of a typical Harvard-Cornell matchup: gray skies, a slippery field, and a bobbled Crimson kickoff return which pinned the gridders deep in their own territory.

But it ended--after nearly 200 yds. in penalties, a sensational 93-yd. interception return by Crimson cornerback Rocky Delgadillo, and so many twists of fate that the game perversely lacked drama--with Harvard on top, 20-12.

The fourth chapter in the Crimson football team's 1980 story concluded, as did the first three, on an upbeat note. With first-string quarterback Brian Buckley sidelined with a knee injury, junior Mike Buchanan directed the Crimson offense cautiously but solidly, completing nine of 13 passes without surrendering an interception and collecting 61 yds. on the ground.

Coach Joe Restic boasts a potent offensive threat outside the realm of the Multiflex--his defense. Besides Delgadillo's wondrous play, Crimson linebackers Bob Woolway and Mark Layden each snagged interceptions to bring Harvard's season total to ten.

Tom Clark blocked a punt early in the second half which Joe Margolis pounced on, setting up a crucial Dave Cody field goal which boosted the Crimson's lead to 17-7.

Aside from creating its own offensive opportunities, the Crimson defense continued to repel impressively its opponents' offense. In four contests thus far this fall, Godless Harvard has defeated Holy Cross, God and country, God and New York, and God and Big Red coach Bob Blackman. The Crimson has its own secret--a defense that has permitted just 41 points.

A Zebra Deity

Blackman thought the Crimson should thank the God of referees for Saturday's win. While Cornell fell victim to some questionable calls--including a clearly unjustified forward lateral infraction in the second quarter--Harvard also felt the frustration of the flag, incurring 111 yds.

After the game, Restic paid tribute to the officials, and to Cornell's elusive quarterback Doug Fusco, who ran the option competently save for Delgadillo's pick-off early on. Blackman contended that Fusco is only the Big Red's fourth-string quarterback--a likely story, considering that Cornell coaches in the press box were incredulous when the winningest coach in Ivy history substituted Mike Ryan for Fusco late in the third quarter.

Ryan failed to engineer the Big Red offense effectively, thanks in large part to adjuster Matt Foley, who made a handful of key tackles on screen passes that might have turned into long gainers.

Cornell placekicker Ron Rejda, normally reliable, missed a pair of field goal attempts in the final quarter that would have had the Harvard side of the stadium reaching for Gelusil if successful. A Jeff Lawrence center snap which arched over Crimson punter Steve Flach's head bounded out of the end zone for a safety, midway through the fourth quarter, closed the Big Red to within a touchdown and a two-point conversion. But the defense preserved the victory, freezing Cornell on its last two series and chalking up the Crimson's sixth straight win dating back to last season.

Following Delgadillo's scamper in the game's fifth minute, the game settled down into a predictable pattern, with penalty flags liberally littering the field. After Crimson halfback Tom Beatrice fumbled at midfield, Fusco put together a late first-quarter drive climaxing in a one-yd. touchdown plunge by Cornell Fullback Ben Tenuta.

Buchanan directed a 71-yd. drive in the middle of the second quarter, helped by 30 yds. in Big Red penalties. A pass snared by tight end Chuck Marshall after Cornell linebacker Mike Staun deflected it resulted in a 14-yd. gain and gave the Crimson first and goal at the four.

Three cracks at the Cornell line proved fruitless, and Buchanan called timeout to consult with Restic. What followed was a gutsy play, with Buchanan sprinting wide on a fourth down bootleg and reaching the end zone untouched by a mesmerized Big Red defense. The half ended with the Crimson in front, 14-7.

The two sides traded field goals in the third quarter, Cody splitting the uprights from 37 yds. out after the blocked punt and a subsequent ineligible receiver downfield penalty, and Rejda hit from 42 yds. after Mike Jacobs snapped the ball over Flach's head, because his hands were covered with glutinous stickum for his defensive duties.