HARVARDEDGE CORNELL QUARTERBACK: In first three games Brain White hasn't lived up to preseason billing. Has 333 completion percentage, the lowest of any Harvard starter in at least the last five years. Does have experience and is talented. Has taken blame for squad's offensive problems. Look for him to open it up today. Can run and pass. Knowns Multiflex.
QUARTERBACK: In contrast to William & Mary standout Stan Yagiello--who gave the Crimson all kinds of fits last weekend--Cornell's biggest question mark has been quarterback. Senior Shawn Maguire (43-88-366) has been relieved by junior Chris Knapp in every game this year. Both have thrown one touchdown and three interceptions.
RUNNING BACKS: Harvard boasts the best set of backs in the league, and that could be in evidence today. Robert Santiago, who picked up more than 100 yards last year against Cornell for only the second time in his career, had a big game last weekend. Expect more of the same today. Rufus Jones, the squad's second leading scorer, will see plenty of time. George Sorbara and Chris Ridout both have speed, as well, and give the Crimson its best ground attack in years. Only knock here is that the squad's best area has been erratic.
RUNNING BACKS: The Big Red lost top halfback Tony Paul and moved fullback John Tagliaferri (38-149-ITD) into that spot. Tagliaferri came up with 93 yards on 19 carries last week against Lafayette. Cornell will run twice as much as it will pass, and has shown some surprising speed in this area. If the hosts have a shot today, Tagliaferri will have to produce. Main problem here is lack of depth and lack of experience.
RECEIVERS: Lamont Greer gets the starting nod for the first time today, replacing senior Chuck Shirey. There is plenty of speed here, but abilities are questionable. Crimson wide receivers have caught just two passes this year, and a Harvard split end hasn't caught a touchdown pass in more than three years. Shirey will back up Greer.
Even RECEIVERS: Wide receiver Jim Perrello has caught 13 passes for 181 yards. He is the Big Red's deep threat, and the Ithacans' only real split end. The other favorite target of the Maguire-Knapp duo has been Tagliaferri, who has grabbed 17 passes out of the backfield for 82 yards. Again, lack of depth is problem here.
OFFENSIVE LINE: Only George Kostakos returns from last year's starting unit. This group has had some difficulty so far, making several mental mistakes. It's also shined in spots. It's the squad's biggest question mark and potentially its biggest problem. The key to the whole offense.
OFFENSIVE LINE: One of the Big Red's few bright spots. It's a line that has a good deal of experience and that blends well together. Center Mike Wagner is the key to this group, and he's surrounded by four blockers that could provide a nice test.
DEFENSIVE LINE: Bill Ross and K.C. Smith lead a unit that is the squad's most pleasant surprise. A question mark at season's start, this unit has played extremely well first two weeks. Has allowed just three touchdowns in last 11 quarters. Has allowed just seven points in fourth quarter of all games. Only potential problem is lack of depth.
Even DEFENSIVE LINE: The leader of this group that has played well in spots is right tackle Chris Tull. Next to him are Howard Feiler and Dave Van Metre, two guys with a good deal of potential but not much: experience. Expect good things from this group, but not for a while.
LINEBACKERS: The defense's strong point. Captain Brent Wilkinson leads this group, with returnees Scott Collins and Larry Bean providing strong support. Wilkinson was hurt slightly a week ago, but is expected back today. He'll need to equal his effort of two weeks ago, when he almost single-handedly shut down a talented UMass offense.
LINEBACKERS: The defense has kept the Ithacans in all three games this year, and one of the pleasant surprises has been the play of the linebacking corps. Though not as talented as Harvard's crew, this group is improving each week. Middle linebacker Tom Bernardo and his partners Dan McMahon and Mike Lally do top the tackles list.
SECONDARY: Starters Cecil Cox and Ken Tarezy return from last year's squad. This group, which already has six interceptions on the year, will get tested today by three-year starter Shawn Maguire. Has averaged two interceptions a game, with Lee Oldenburg coming up with two big ones two weeks ago. This group is the best in the league, and is as good against the run as it against the pass.
SECONDARY: Cornell has allowed only 48 points, and one of the main reasons has been the play of the Big Red defensive secondary. The backs have been especially tough against the pass, yielding an average of just 136.3 yards per game through the air. Harvard's secondary is tops in the league, but Cornell's isn't far behind.
KICKING GAME: Punter-placekicker Rob Steinberg has his worst game ever last weekend, missing his only extra point attempt and suffering two blocked punts. Has converted eight of nine PATs and one field goal attempt. No problem on kickoffs. Only problem area has been his punting, where he's lacked consistency. Needs of point to become 10th all-time leading scorer among Harvard kickers.
Even KICKING GAME: Plackekicker Tom Aug, who has connected on three of four field goal attempts and both of his extra point tries, is a steady and accuarte kicker. Punter Erik Bern-stein has a 38.8 average. The two together provide a strong kicking game that often tends to be one of the Big Red's main offensive weapons.
