Coach: Joe Restic

Captain: Brain Ramer

1992 Overall Record: 3-7-0

1992 Ivy Record: 3-4-0

1992 Ivy Finish: 5th baseball skills to the pros over the summer andsigned with the Toronto Blue Jays.)

Giardi is the Crimson's million-dollar man, thegolden arm, the triple threat. He's climbingthrough the record books in every category. He'sthe only one ever to be named the team's mostvaluable player as a sophomore.

This year, without a proven backfield, Giardiwill be asked to move the offense through the air(with tight end Frank Lilly and split end MarkBegert) and on the ground (on his own, behind hisimproved line).

No pressure, though. Really.

"Mike looks like he's ready to go, looks likehe's ready to do everything," Restic said. "But Idon't want to put too much of the load on him. Ihope we don't."

That's a legitimate concern, and thecounter-balance to burnout is the suddenly castinto doubt running game. Senior Nick Isaacson isthe lone returner who has a carry to his name (10carries, 35 yards in 1992).

Other names are bandied around: TerenceShea...John Castle...Mark Core...WilliamNewell...John Ponosuk...all juniors, except forShea. These players--maybe others by the time theend of the week rolls around--will be the linchpinin Harvard's success.

Look for it as the season wears on. IfHarvard's non-Giardi ground game is gainingsignificant yardage, the Crimson is probablywinning.

The Much-Maligned Line

The offensive line was the real story of the1992 campaign. Everybody knew the line (with justone returning starter) would not be the strengthof the team, but nobody understood just how muchof a problem it would be. Giardi withstood moresacks than a General Electric union worker lastyear and was twice dropped over 10 times in agame, while the rushing game never got on track.

"That killed us. It was always one side or theother," Restic said."

This year, the story has rotated 180 degrees.Instead of a quality backfield with a questionableline, Harvard has a quality line with aquestionable backfield. Seniors David Rogers(6'4", 275 lbs.) and Jason Slavik (6'5", 275 lbs.)anchor the line at tackle, while guard Kevin Fagan(6'2", 255 lbs.) and center Toby Brundage (6'3",240 lbs.) add weight, strength and experience. Allfour were starters last season.