No Hurts, Please

YALE is favored to win its third consecutive Ivy League football championship. But Dartmouth head coach Joe Yukica isn't ready to throw the towel in yet. "Although we have key replacements to make in both the offense and defense, we plan on being in the race for the Ivy League title," said Yukica. "Yale was the preseason choice of nearly everyone, but I think we have a chance to win it. Our goal is the Ivy League title, and that's not an unrealistic goal."

In the first game, against Princeton at home, Dartmouth took a step toward that goal with a 32-13 victory. The team scored by hook and by crook: pass and run, blocked punt, field goal, safety, two-point and one-point conversions. "I think we're sitting on a time bomb offensively," cocaptain George Thompson said afterward. The bomb failed to go off in the next game, a 10-8 loss to Massachusetts.

Yukica saw several bright spots on the team prior to the start of the season. Thesd included experience on defense, the quarterback position, running backs, receivers, and kickers. "We have eight returning people on defense and would have had a ninth but Kevin Thorne, a senior defensive back, gave up football to stay in Spain for another term," noted Yukica. Another letterman, defensive tackle Matt Jurkoic, also quit football. The line will be led by three seniors: co-captain and nose guard Kent Cooper and tackles Lee Sedberry and Mark Clayton. All-Ivy Joe Fernandes and Rob Carroll will return to the linebacker position along with one of last year's back-ups, Dave Neslund. Scott Hacker will be back at the rover position, and all-Ivy Barry Pizor will be surrounded by experienced players in the defensive backfield.

"Depth is a concern," observed Yukica. "Clayton and Sedberry need to stay healthy. Fernandes and Pizor are fine, steady football players. The defense has good experience and good leadership, and we'll count on them to keep the games as tight as possible while our offense gets better."

Dartmouth lost nine starters from its offensive unit. The line must be completely rebuilt around co-captain and all-Ivy guard George Thompson. Yukica was dealt another blow when Jon Merriman, a leading candidate for a guard position, injured his knee and was lost for the season.

"I like our potential at quarterback, in particular Rick Stafford," said Yukica. Stafford is a 6-foot 4 inch, 220-pound junior who got some unexpected game experience when he replaced an injured Jeff Kemp in last year's season finale against Princeton. Stafford entered the game after the first quarter with Dartmouth trailing, 7-0. Stafford completed 12 of 26 passes with one touchdown. "We lost, 27-24, but Rick moved the team and got us 24 points," said Yukica. "He did a fine job, and that Princeton game should be a catalyst for this season. He's got a strong arm and is a good leader."

Running backs Dennis Runck, Rich Lena, Peter Lavery, and Sean Maher all have varsity experience. Runck is the lone senior. The other three are juniors. Senior Shaun Teevens will be back as starting flanker. Last fall he caught 26 passes for 342 yards and three touchdowns. Yukica is in the unenviable position of having to replace all-Ivy record holder Dave Shula at split end. He doesn't seem too concerned, however: "As a group we could be stronger than last year at wide receiver. We'll have more speed." John Olejniczak, Shula's backup in 1980, will start this year.

Senior Tim Geibel will again handle the kicking chores for the Big Green. Last year, he kicked 22 of 26 extra points and seven of 12 field goals, including one for 40 yards against Harvard. Pizor averaged 36 yards per punt during 1980 and is expected to be the team's punter again this year.

Yukica feels the Ivy League will be better balanced in 1981 than it has been for years. "We're grouped with Harvard, Brown, Princeton, and Cornell as the teams to challenge Yale," he said. "And I think Pennsylvania and Columbia will be stronger. I don't think there will be as much predictability, and you'll see more upsets than usual. I feel we can win any football game we play even though we may not be the so-called favorite. We're not bad with the starters we have, but we're very thin. Just a few injuries would really hurt us."

Directed by junior quarterback Rick Stafford, the offense gained 400 yards in therain against Princeton. The defense (opposite) held the Tigers to 56 yards rushing.