DARTMOUTH 14, HARVARD 7
In a contest that had the cash and radio customers alike hanging on the ropes until the final gun, Dartmouth outfought and outlasted a Harvard team that was ahead early in the game and almost succeeded in reversing the decision in the final five minutes. This was a game in which the T formation of Coach McLaughry came up against the intricate Michigan version of the single wing as sponsored by Harvard's youthful instructor Art Valpey. The boys behind the T finally won, but it was a near thing—so near, in fact, that the tying Harvard touchdown was actually over and then called back on an offside penalty. Such goings-on are bad for the blood pressure of all concerned including, we surmise, players and coaches as well as spectators.
Harvard started off in very business-like style, throttling the famed 'Green attack early in the game and then going on to score themselves toward the end of the opening period. The Dartmouth offensive was not able to get rolling with any conclusive result until almost the end of the half. The Green then put six first downs together for a march of 80 yards, culminating in a pitchout to Bill Dey around his own right end, with Bill crossing the goal line unmolested by defending Harvards. After that sterling effort, there was only half a minute to go and the teams left the field with the game all tied up.
The teams battled away during the third period with neither side scoring, following an Alphonse-and-Gaston sequence in which they exchanged the ball twice on fumbles. The fourth quarter saw a Harvard drive that penetrated as far as the Dartmouth 12 and ended in the abortive (for Harvard) touchdown that was called back. But we are getting ahead of our story. The second and winning Dartmouth touchdown came following Herb Carey's interception of a Harvard pass deep in Green territory. Clayton tossed one to end Dave Beeman who made it first down at midfield. Then Hal Fitkin exploded on a quick opener for 43 yards to the Harvard 7 before he was brought down. Joe Sullivan made the touchdown on a dash around his own right end, which was followed by Bill Dey's second conversion of the day.
From then on, the Green fought off wave after wave of Harvard attacks until the final moments of play when they started one of their own. Following a recovered fumble, Sullivan and Perry collaborated in a collective dash to midfield and beyond, with Perry gaining 11 yards to the Harvard 38 on the final play of the game. After the teams left the field, the spectators took over. The Dartmouth boys made short work of the south goal posts, but were obliged to launch an attack in depth to subdue the defenders of the north goal posts.
The game was marked by the iron-man efforts of three of the Dartmouth players. George Schreck at center, Captain Dale Armstrong at left end, and John Clayton (officially) played the entire contest. This paradoxical situation is explained by the fact that, when Clayton goes out on defense, Bill Dey comes in, although he is officially listed as a fullback. Hence Clayton was the only quarterback in the official lineup, even though he did have an occasional rest. But the permanent efforts of Schreck and Armstrong were all the more noteworthy in these days of unlimited substitutions and offensive and defensive teams. And Armstrong and Sull ivan will be the leading Dartmouth candidates for All-American mention, when, as, and if the Green finishes its season near the top of the intercollegiate heap.
In first downs, Dartmouth led 16 to 11 and in total yards gained by rushing the Green was in the van 224 to 110. The forward pass, which has hitherto been one of the most potent weapons in the varied offensive arsenal of the Green, was used sparingly this time, with only 7 tosses attempted and 4 completed for a total of 46 yards. Harvard, on the other hand, took to the air no less than 18 times, gaining 112 yards in this way through 7 completions. Both sides committed three fumbles, which is good going in view of the intricate ball handling involved in both offenses. This contest marked the 52nd meeting between the two teams. Harvard has won 31 and Dartmouth 18, with 3 tie games. And very happy we are indeed over victory number 18.
WINNING TOUCHDOWN AT HARVARD: Joe Sullivan (44) on a pitchout from Johnny Clayton (20) races for the Crimson's goal line for the decisive score in the 14-7 win. A crowd of 45,000 saw the game.
