A Game of Storybook Proportions

In 1966 Harvard came to Palmer Stadium undefeated and a three-touchdown favorite. It was a game of classic and storybook proportions (think Chip Hilton novels by Clair Bee). Hard-hitting, grind it out — a game traditionalists love.

Five times teams went for broke on fourth down. Harvard threatened to blow the game open, only to have Larry Stupski ’67 throw the Harvard quarterback for consecutive losses and have Jim Kokoskie ’67 intercept the next pass. It led to a 93-yard drive by the Tigers, starting with second-string quarterback Tad Howard ’67 saying in the huddle on their own 7-yard line, “We are going 93 yards for a touchdown and if you don’t believe that, go to the bench now!” Hard running by Dave Martin ’67 and Rich Bracken ’69 provided that touchdown.

The players on the sideline convinced Coach Dick Colman after the touchdown to go for two on the extra-point try, Doug James ’67 to John Bowers ’67 in the back of the end zone. Princeton captain Walt Kozumbo ’67 and James stopped Harvard on 4th and 2 at the Princeton 18-yard line to seal the win. Uncommon resolve and incredible good fortune: Coach Colman called it his most thrilling game since Princeton upset Penn in 1946.