Soldiers Field was bleak and sodden yesterday, as rain filled the pockmarks on the practice fields. But despite the weather, Coach Lloyd Jordan and the varsity football team continued to concentrate only on preparing for the Cornell game Saturday.

Conscious of the Big Red's fast backs and ends, and consciously not cocky because of last week's romp over UMass, the team drilled in Briggs Cage for about an hour and a half.

Thursday is normally a day of heavy workout, with Friday reserved for light sweat-suit drills in the Stadium. Because of the rain, however, Jordan did not conduct any contact work in the cage, although the team did wear pads.

Before the practice, Jordan announced his starting lineup for the Saturday game--the same lineup which started against UMass last week.

In the line he will use Bob Morrison and Ted Kennedy at ends, Orville Tice and John Maher at tackles, Captain Bill Meign and Ted Metropoules at guards, and Jan Meyer at center. All are seniors save Metropoulos.

His backfield will again consist of juniors Leo Daley at quarterback, Matt Botsford at tailback, John Simourian at wingback, and Tony Gianelly at fullback.

The varsity coach continues to be reluctant to name a second line, but his second backfield appears to be Joe Crehore at quarter, Jim Joslin at tail, Ron Eikenberry at wing, and Dick Oehmler at fullback.