Harvard has converted 40 percent of its third downs and an amazing 68 percent on fourth down, including all four back-breaking fourth down plays yesterday.

The opposition, by contrast, has converted only 22 and 20 percent of its third and fourth downs, respectively.

Creative play calling may have something to do with this success. Three of Harvard's fourth-down conversions yesterday came on pass plays, including both fourth and goal from the one-yard line plays. In both cases, the Crimson brought out a double tight end, full house backfield in anticipation of a run, only to have Linden pull up and find tight ends junior Chris Eitzmann and senior Tom Giardi uncovered in the end zone.

"I simply felt like we would get it...I felt like it was there to be had," Harvard coach Tim Murphy said of the goaline gameplan.

As for the truly impressive ability of the Crimson to convert on third and long, the scouting report effectively honed in on weaknesses in the Penn man coverage. As a result, Linden threw to more sideline and out routes than he has in previous weeks, but with no apparent drop-off in success.

"[We thought we would] see some man coverage and could hit those quick outs," Linden said. "...the coaches told me to read, and if [a particular] linebacker drops off, [a certain] receiver will be open, and that's the way it was all day.

Smoke and Mirrors

The tone for yesterday's contest was set from the opening kick. In the first four plays of the game, Penn fumbled the opening kick, but recovered, then tossed back to a halfback pass option for its first play from scrimmage, which was defended from its inception and never had a chance of success. After a run for no gain, the Quakers completed a nine yard pass on third-and-10, and were forced to punt the ball away.

The series is indicative of the frustrated, sloppy and desperate manner in which Penn played the game. After mishandling the fundamental kickoff return, the Quakers tried a gimmicky, deceptive halfback pass. That play having failed, the Harvard defense could not help but believe that it was facing a somewhat worried opponent grasping for straws before the game even started.

"We may have thought they were a little desperate to try something like that so early," said senior defensive end Chris Smith.

On third-and-10, the Quakers then threw short of the chains to a receiver on his knees. The route gave the Quakers no chance of keeping their drive alive, and represents the kind of mental lapses that characterized the Penn effort yesterday.

"We started shaky from the opening kick...and it went downhill from there," siad Penn Coach Al Bagnoli.

Yale or Fail

Harvard goes into The Game this year with a much different attitude than in the past. Whereas in seasons past, Yale has been Harvard's opportunity to salvage something good out of a mediocre or frustrating season. This year's squad heads to New Haven with a mission to ensure an outright Ivy title.

"[In the past], we were just playing for ourselves and pride," Burke said. "Now we're still playing for ourselves and for our pride, but we're also playing to be undisputed Ivy champions. [This] is the position we want to be in.