Blame it on the hair (or lack thereof), but however you cut it, Harvard junior Brian Ramer managed somehow to edge out quarterback Mike Giardi in a special runoff election Monday to be named the football team's 120th captain.

Ramer, famous for his "chrome dome" (although his hair is making a strong comeback) established himself this year as a key member of the Crimson's pass defense--a unit which finished atop the Ivy League (12 interceptions, 144.6 yards/game given up).

After seeing only limited time his sophomore season, the Currier resident finished sixth in the Ivies this year with two interceptions.

Both came in 27-20 win against Columbia, when his pick-off with 1:11 left in the game saved the Crimson's victory.

He had one of his finest performances of the season in The Game, leading the Crimson with nine primary tackles and a pivotal fumble recovery late in the fourth quarter.

It was that final, season-saving game that Ramer focused on in his acceptance speech.

"On defense, there was something special out there, playing in front of that crowd against Yale," Ramer said. "We won that game for ourselves. Not for the fans or anybody else, but for ourselves."

The words of a captain--hair or no hair.

Santos Brings Home the Cup: Another star of The Game--senior free safety Rob Santos--added one more award to his collection yesterday afternoon.

After leading the Ancient Eight in interceptions (four) and finishing third in punt returns (8.9 average), Santos was named to the All-Ivy First Team, the Crimson's lone representative on the premier squad.

One of the Crimson's finest all-round athletes, Santos also won three other awards this week: Harvard's Most Valuable Player award ("one of the happiest moments of my life," he said), the ECAC Gold Helmet Award and Ivy League Defensive Player of the Week.

Other All-Ivy Stuff: Four Harvard players were named to the All-Ivy Second Team as well: Giardi, junior offensive tackle Jason Slavik, senior defensive tackle Phil Furse and senior defensive back Chris Pillsbury.

What does this mean?

It means that Giardi, despite his enormous talents, is still regarded as second fiddle to Jay Fiedler (First Team All-Ivy, Ivy League MVP).

Pillsbury, the Crimson's fiercest competitor, was a lock. Furse, who won Harvard's award as best interior lineman, was expected.