A scene from The Game at Yale Field in 1900, when Elis first sang "Boola, Boola."

Bulldogs gear up for 'The Game'

The 116th edition of that annual Yale-Harvard gridiron contest known simply as "The Game" -- being played Saturday, Nov. 20, at the Yale Bowl -- may be crucial in determining who wins the Ivy League crown this season. As of press time, Yale and Brown were tied for the championship, each with season records of 7-1 overall and 4-1 Ivy, and Harvard and Cornell were in close pursuit, each with 3-2 Ivy. The weekend of Nov. 13, Yale takes on Princeton, Harvard faces Penn, Cornell squares off against Columbia, and Brown faces last-place Dartmouth. A win or loss either way for any of the top teams that weekend could result in anything from a four-way tie for Ivy first place to a scenario where The Game could decide who wins the crown. "No matter what happens [with the Princeton game], we could be playing for the Ivy League title against Harvard," says Jack Siedlecki, who is in his third year as Yale's head football coach. "There are definite title implications, but the bigger issue is Harvard itself. There's definitely a different tone for the coaches, the players and the fans. Hopefully, we'll draw 45,000 to 50,000 people if we keep getting the great weather we've had so far this year." Last year, Yale won at Cambridge 9-7 in the waning moments of the fourth quarter during a game that Harvard dominated statistically, bringing the Bulldogs to a series tally of 62-45-8 against the Crimson. (See related story.) Yale trailed 0-7 late in the fourth quarter, and scrambled to score nine points in the last five minutes to post their first win over Harvard since their 32-13 victory over the Crimsons in 1994. The Yale College Class of 1999 narrowly missed being the first class to lose all four of its games to Harvard since 1923. Yale began this season with a heartbreaking 24-25 loss to Brown when the Bears recovered a blocked kick for the extra point and ran the ball in for the game-winning two-point conversion. Since then, the Bulldogs have defeated Valparaiso (48-2), San Diego (16-7), Holy Cross (34-14), Dartmouth (44-3), Columbia (41-29), Penn (23-19) and Cornell (37-20) in an unwavering march to capture the Ivy League crown this year. Thirty-one years ago, in an unforgettable match-up between Harvard and Yale -- both 8-0 heading into The Game of 1968 -- the Crimson capped a last-minute comeback from a 13-29 deficit with a tie, evoking the Harvard Crimson headline: "Harvard Beats Yale, 29-29," as the two teams shared the Ivy crown for 1968. The 1999 version of The Game represents the first time since 1989 that a match-up of the Bulldogs against Harvard will carry any weight toward winning the Ivy League title. Whether that coveted crown is in the balance, however, Siedlecki puts the whole thing in perspective: "The Game definitely takes on an identity of its own." Yale employees are reminded that they and another adult can get free general admission seating at the game by showing their valid Yale I.D. at the Employee Gate located outside Portal 19 at the Yale Bowl. All children under age 14 are free when accompanied by an adult. Kick-off is at 12:30 p.m. -- By Thomas R. Violante T H I SW E E K ' SS T O R I E S Bulldogs gear up for 'The Game' Donoghue, biodiversity expert, will join EEB Study proves aspirin alone prevents future heart attacks Academy of the Arts pays tribute to Stern Environmental Law Institute lauds Speth Yale moves forward with biomedical engineering program Columbia's Chase named deputy dean of medical education Endowed Professorships Nobel Peace Prize winner to take part in discussion of East Timor Veteran White House correspondent to give Poynter Lecture Long history of legends surrounds 'The Game' Yale, Harvard Glee Clubs mark century of making harmony on eve of 'The Game' Study reveals why 'Lonesome George' snubs potential mates Noted alumnus describes 'dramatic' changes in the world of sports Architect Libeskind tells how he conveyed 'the real' and 'the invisible' in new Jewish Museum of Berlin Bone loss from steroid use is easily preventable, says Insogna Medical school auction to benefit homelessness, hunger programs People with OCD can find support in group therapy Annual tour will showcase area hotel accommodations Yale affiliates to present talks off campus Event offers tips on how to have tough discussions . . In the News . . . Bulletin Home|Visiting on Campus| Calendar of Events|Bulletin Board Classified Ads|Search Archives|Production Schedule|Bulletin Staff Public Affairs Home|News Releases| E-Mail Us|Yale Home Page