Countdown to The Game: Two Days

As we countdown to the most anticipated game at Yale Bowl in decades, the Register will take a daily look at The Game, which pits Yale and Harvard with undefeated Ivy League records for the first time since 1968:

Where
Class of 1954 Field, Yale Bowl

When
Saturday, noon
Parking lots open at 9 a.m.
Gates open at 10:30
Yale officials are encouraging fans to arrive to the Bowl early because of the high volume of traffic expected.

SERIES
Yale leads 65-50-8.
Yale leads series at Yale Bowl 23-22-1.
First game 1875.
Last year: Yale 34, Harvard 13

Records
Harvard (7-2, 6-0)
Yale (9-0, 6-0)
Tickets
Call 203-432-1400, or visit 20 Tower Parkway (next to Payne Whitney), 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Today-Friday
Yale is anticipating a near capacity crowd. The Bowl holds 61,446

Television/radio
WTXX-20, WLVI, SNY, HDNet; WELI-960, WYBC-1340

Weather
Saturday: Partly sunny, high 45. It is expected to rain heavily Thursday.

Tailgating tips
‰Tents and gas-powered electric generators prohibited
‰Open fires prohibited in all parking lots
‰Gas and charcoal grills permitted, provided they are self-contained and contents are removed from parking lots at conclusion of game
‰Tailgating will not be permitted after the start of the third quarter

History lesson
On Nov. 23, 1974, Harvard quarterback Milt Holt scores on a 1-yard run with :15 seconds left in 21-16 Harvard win. It culminated a 95-yard drive and end Yale’s hopes for a perfect season.

Did you know?
Yale and Harvard did not play The Game in 1917, 1918, 1943 and 1944 because of the world wars. Those are the only four years since 1897 the rivalry has not been played.

Crimson closeup
A daily look at a Harvard player:
Doug Hewlett, Sr. DB: The 6-foot-3, 215-pound safety from Wellington, Fla., has four interceptions with returns for 75 yards. He is third for the Crimson with 46 tackles, including two sacks. Hewlett had exceptional game against Bulldogs last season with an interception and eight tackles.

Mike’s milestones
A daily look at records Yale junior tailback Mike McLeod has broken or is pursuing:
McLeod has 48 touchdowns, a Yale career record. He is fourth among active players in the FCS in touchdowns. The three players ahead of him are all seniors.

special salute
Yale and the Wounded Warrior Project will honor those men and women of the United States armed forces who have been severely injured during conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan and other locations around the world. Wounded Warrior and North Haven resident Daniel Laffin will be honored at the game. Laffin, a member of the United States Army will perform the coin toss.

DEDICATING THE BOWL
There will be a halftime ceremony rededicating the Bowl Saturday. First opened in 1914 against Harvard, the Bowl is in the midst of a two-phase restoration project. Phase I is complete.

Appetizer
The junior varsity game will be played at 1 p.m. Friday at Clint Frank Field.

QUOTABLE
"This is the only thing people want to talk about back home. Everybody when I go home they just ask did you beat Harvard this year." — Yale captain Brandt Hollander, who is from Indianapolis.

COMING SATURDAY
The Register takes a look at The Game in a commemorative eight-page special section.