Restic had to be pleased with the efforts of Kent Lucas and Mark Blasetti, who proved more than capable replacements for Gajewski against the Lions. Lucas was the game's top receiver, pulling in four passes totaling 77 yards. Blasetti had two receptions and seemed able to get open on a consistent basis.
The Crimson's other injured player, Rufus Jones, probably will not return until mid-October. After working his way back from a serious knee injury, Jones suffered a stress fracture of the right tibia (shin bone) in the preseason.
Most Notable, Unnoted Play of the Week: This week's honor goes to Harvard defensive end Mike Hirshland.
Facing a third-and-long deep in their own territory in the second quarter, Columbia tried a double-reverse. But Hirshland read the play from the start, and when Lion split-end Matt Fox took the ball from running back Chris Della Pietra and headed back across the Columbia backfield, he was met by the waiting Hirshland.
The senior end delivered a crunching blow, and dropped Fox for a six-yard loss. On the following play, Harvard's Kris Thabit blocked an attempted Columbia punt, and who else but Hirshland recovered the ball for the TD that put the game in the bag for Harvard.
Honorable mention in this category goes to big Crimson offensive tackle Maurice Frilot, who delivered a devastating block late in the second quarter which sprung Phillips on a 20-yd. end around down to the Columbia four. Two plays later, Tony Hinz danced across the goal line with Harvard's final TD of the first half.
Kicking and Screaming: Before the season, the biggest question mark for the Crimson was the status of its kicking game. Well, with one game under its belt, Harvard seems to have solved half--but only half--of that quandry.
Senior Bruce Jacob handled all of the place-kicking duties for Harvard on Saturday, and converted all five of his point-afters. Although he was not summoned by Restic for any field goal attempts, all of Jacob's extra points sailed far over the crossbars, suggesting that he may have considerable success with three-pointers as well.
The punting situation was a different matter. Alan Hall handled the punting duties and was fair at best, averaging a semi-respectable 32.6 yards per kick, but getting off a number of 20-yard stinkers in the process.
"Our kicking game has got to improve if we're going to contend," Harvard Coach Restic allowed after the contest was over.