FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK

Blame it on the hair (or lack thereof), but however you cut it, Harvard junior Brian Ramer managed somehow to edge out quarterback Mike Giardi in a special runoff election Monday to be named the football team's 120th captain.

Ramer, famous for his "chrome dome" (although his hair is making a strong comeback) established himself this year as a key member of the Crimson's pass defense--a unit which finished atop the Ivy League (12 interceptions, 144.6 yards/game given up).

After seeing only limited time his sophomore season, the Currier resident finished sixth in the Ivies this year with two interceptions.

Both came in 27-20 win against Columbia, when his pick-off with 1:11 left in the game saved the Crimson's victory.

He had one of his finest performances of the season in The Game, leading the Crimson with nine primary tackles and a pivotal fumble recovery late in the fourth quarter.

It was that final, season-saving game that Ramer focused on in his acceptance speech.

"On defense, there was something special out there, playing in front of that crowd against Yale," Ramer said. "We won that game for ourselves. Not for the fans or anybody else, but for ourselves."

The words of a captain--hair or no hair.

Santos Brings Home the Cup: Another star of The Game--senior free safety Rob Santos--added one more award to his collection yesterday afternoon.

After leading the Ancient Eight in interceptions (four) and finishing third in punt returns (8.9 average), Santos was named to the All-Ivy First Team, the Crimson's lone representative on the premier squad.

One of the Crimson's finest all-round athletes, Santos also won three other awards this week: Harvard's Most Valuable Player award ("one of the happiest moments of my life," he said), the ECAC Gold Helmet Award and Ivy League Defensive Player of the Week.

Other All-Ivy Stuff: Four Harvard players were named to the All-Ivy Second Team as well: Giardi, junior offensive tackle Jason Slavik, senior defensive tackle Phil Furse and senior defensive back Chris Pillsbury.

What does this mean?

It means that Giardi, despite his enormous talents, is still regarded as second fiddle to Jay Fiedler (First Team All-Ivy, Ivy League MVP).

Pillsbury, the Crimson's fiercest competitor, was a lock. Furse, who won Harvard's award as best interior lineman, was expected.

Slavik's selection was a little surprising, especially considering all the talk (or would that be finger-pointing?) about the Crimson's weak offensive line.

Senior linebacker Monte Giese and senior tight end Read Hubbard got honorable mention nods.

The award to Hubbard (16 receptions, 315 yards, 4 TDs) is the second straight year a Harvard tight end has been honored by the coaches despite seeing only limited time as a receiver.

Andy Lombara '92 was named to the first team last year.

Hmm. Coach Restic, are you listening?

Harvard Notes: Giardi became the second player in the program's history to win two different post-season awards. Giardi--last year's Crocker Trophy recipient--received the Robert F. Kennedy Award, given to that player who demonstrates "his willingness to work, has made himself a valuable member of the team, and has thereby gained the respect and admiration of his teammates and coaches"..."I'm surprised," Giardi said, thanking his teammates for the honor...Senior Marc Hourihan won the William Paine LaCroix Trophy for enthusiasm and sportsmanship. "I'm real honored," the offensive lineman said...Seniors Nick DeAngelis and Joel Lamb were co-winners of the Henry N. Lamar Award, given to the senior who "through his dedication to the program and concern for his fellow, makes a unique contribution to Harvard football."

Ivy Notes: Dartmouth has now had the league's MVP for the last three years (!), a feat unmatched since Pennsylvania's golden years of '84-85-86... Penn linebacker Pat Goodwillie was named Sophomore of the Year for leading the Quaker's stifling defense, ranked sixth in the nation in total defense and fifth in scoring defense. Giardi shredded it pretty well, though...Princeton and Cornell led the league with the most All-Ivy mentions (12). Princeton and Dartmouth had six players on the first team...Harvard tied Brown with seven mentions.

Make whatever you want of that, but again--Restic, are you listening? 1992 IVY LEAGUE FOOTBALL FINAL STANDINGS

TEAM  W  L  T Dartmouth  6  1  0 Princeton  6  1  0 Pennsylvania  5  2  0 Cornell  4  3  0 Harvard  3  4  0 Yale  2  5  0 Columbia  2  5  0 Brown  0  7  0