After dropping a heartbreaking game last week against the University of Pennsylvania, the football team hopes to return to the win column this Saturday at home against Yale University.
The game is crucial for both teams - Brown (1-2 Ivy) needs to win the rest of its games in order to finish over .500 in the Ivy League and climb out of sixth place, while Yale (2-2 Ivy) wants a win in order to maintain its slim hope of getting a share of the Ivy League Championship.
On paper, Brown seems to have an edge, because Yale ranks last in the Ivies in total defense, giving up 381.3 yards per game. Yale has also given up the most first downs and ranks last in time of possession, which bodes well for Bruno's clock-eating rushing attack.
However, as Head Coach Phil Estes points out, statistics are not worth much more than the paper they are printed on at this point in the season.
"When your back is against the wall, you can throw the statistics right out the window," Estes said. "When it comes to playing, for them to have opportunities in the league they have to beat us."
Estes also pointed out that Yale draws additional motivation from last year's 55-44 loss to Brown in New Haven. Those 55 points were the most ever scored by Brown in the series.
"Certainly after last year, they have something they want to prove," Estes said.
The winner in this game will most likely be decided by which running back is able to dominate. Brown tailback Nick Hartigan '06 is a workhorse who averages 118 rushing yards per game and is second in the league with 10 touchdowns. Yale, meanwhile, has Robert Carr, a shifty speed back who is second in the Ivies in rushing at 133.7 yards per game.
"(Carr) has great feet like a jitterbug, and he can make you miss," Estes said. "You can stop him dead in the backfield on one play and then the next play he can go for 80 yards."
The passing game will also be important, as Brown needs to stay diverse on offense in order to prevent Yale from stacking against the run. If quarterback Anthony Vita '07 is forced to sit due to a severe wrist sprain that he suffered in last week's game against Penn, then Joe DiGiacomo '07 will be under center.
DiGiacomo, who began the year as the starting quarterback, was outstanding in Bruno's first two games, throwing for 558 yards and three touchdowns, but struggled in the next three before being replaced by Vita.
Defensively, Bruno will be facing a quick and mobile quarterback in Alvin Cowan. Although he has been used as more of a drop-back passer this year, he can be very dangerous when forced out of the pocket.
"Cowan is an all-inclusive weapon in terms of running and throwing the football," Estes said.
Cowan is also very careful with his throws, as his 11-4 touchdown to interception ratio proves.
With a running threat like Cowan in the backfield, Bruno will not only have to contain, but they will need to get pressure in the backfield. James Frazier '06 and Pat Curran '06 have been solid on the line for Brown this year, combining for 7.5 sacks, 16 tackles for a loss and 3 fumble recoveries. Estes said he has been hoping for additional production from the other five players who rotate in on the line.
The defense has been one of Bruno's greatest strengths this year. Led by hard-hitting linebacker Zak DeOssie '07, who leads the team in tackles with 64, and captain Anjel Gutierrez '05, a hybrid defensive back-linebacker who has been racking up tackles in the backfield and pass deflections, the defense has blossomed into a fearsome unit.
Although their record may not be what Estes hoped for at the start of the season, the Bears can take heart in the fact that with just an extra field goal against Harvard or touchdown against Penn, they could easily be 3-1 in the Ivy League.
"We must take care of our own business," Estes said. "We had two opportunities against the two best teams in the league and we missed them. We have to do a better job of putting points on the board."
This game bears a striking resemblance to Bruno's standing going into last year's game against the Bulldogs. At 1-3, Bruno knocked off Yale and then Dartmouth and Columbia to finish tied for second place in the league at 4-3. Bruno is hoping that a win Saturday could start a similar streak.
"We are in the same situation as last year," Estes said. "If we can win out, then it's a good season."
Saturday's game is at Brown Stadium at 12:30 p.m.
