The results were disastrous.

Dartmouth starting quarterback Brian Mann had a day to forget. Against a Harvard secondary ranked near the bottom in the country, Mann repeatedly missed wide-open wideouts, completing only 4-of-16 passes for a paltry 31 yards. Unfortunately for Mann, he completed just as many to Harvard defenders. Going into the game, Harvard had intercepted only three passes all season.

"He really struggled," Dartmouth Head Coach John Lyons said. "He threw some balls that were not good decisions."

Mann was mercifully yanked at halftime for backup Greg Smith. Smith fared better, although he played mostly against Crimson defensive backups and still threw an interception.

Two of Dartmouth's interceptions were returned for touchdowns by freshman linebacker Dante Balestracci.

Balestracci's first pick was the result of good football instincts. Already down 21-0 in the second quarter, Dartmouth lined up in a formation reminiscent of a Steve Spurrier offense. Mann lined up with starting tailback Michael Gratch behind only offensive lineman. The other two linemen were lined up on the far left, in front of a single wide receiver. Two more receivers were split right.

The trickery didn't work. Balestracci, who said the team had prepared for that formation, tipped a shovel pass intended for Gratch, juggled the ball before cradling it and coasting 48 yards for an easy touchdown.

"I just played in-between the QB and back," Balestracci said. "It was just a natural read into the backfield."