"It's taken a little time for us to gel as ateam," Nowinski said. "I think everyone as anindividual has made great improvement throughworking with [defensive line] Coach [David] Dunn,with repping pass rush drills every day, and Ithink that's made a huge difference in the waywe're playing on Saturdays."

Last year, we used to laugh up in the press boxas we watched teams try to "establish the run"against Harvard. Dartmouth deserves credit fortrying, but a 1.4 yards-per-carry average will geta pat on the back only from Mom.

The past few weeks have shown why teamsfront-load their season with non-conference games.It's nice to work out the kinks when the gamesdon't count as much.

Harvard's defensive line, one of the biggestquestion marks, has worked its way up to a periodat least, if not an exclamation point. CaptainBrendan Bibro and senior Artie Jones have stoodout recently, and Nowinski joined in this weekend.

The 1998 line will probably never be amurderer's row like Bibro, Chris Smith, TimFleiszer, Chris Schaefer and Jason Hughes. Itdoesn't have to be, as long as it forms its ownidentity.

The rest of the defense has played at a similarlevel to last year. The linebacking corps is assolid as expected. Junior Isaiah Kacyvenski leadsthe team with 77 tackles, and senior Scott Larkeeis second with 66. Senior Joe Weidle has made somebig plays, especially on special teams.

The secondary, despite being victimized againstLehigh, has held its own. Senior safety DerekYankoff has filled in for Jeff Compas '98 with noproblems, and he leads the team with threeinterceptions.

Dartmouth had 95 yards after three quarters. Asmentioned, Harvard's defense eased up on thethrottle (maybe it felt bad for the Big Green),and Dartmouth tacked on 130 fourth quarter yardsand the consolation touchdown.

So as bad as Dartmouth's final offensive totalwas, it was a major step up from before.

Harvard's defense is back. As for the titlehopes previously given up for dead, they'rea-live--A-LIVE