Granted, Savage chose his present situation. He didn't want a factory. But three years have shown him that even within its given sphere, Harvard football is not all it could be.

For one thing, there's the fact that, as Savage says, "other factors besides ability determine who plays here." Favoritism is one of them. Savage didn't say so but he didn't have to. "It has definitely dampened my enthusiasm toward the sport," is what he did say.

There's also the realization that in seven weeks, his football career will be a memory. "I know it's going to be over for me then, and I'm kind of looking forward to it, but I know I'm going to miss it."

"I've thought of quitting a lot," he continues, "but it's like being a concert pianist. Even if someone says you can't play, you do it anyway."

Alienation

So casting his dampened enthusiasm aside, Savage continues to play, and play well. The program has turned him off, the lack of publicity has bothered him and he has felt at times as though he wasn't getting anything out of football. Yet he still plays.

In last year's Yale game, Harvard had one bright moment. Savage's 74-yd interception and touchdown return of a screen pass provided it.

"I was dead after the run," Savage said at the time, "but I had to make the best of it. I don't get much chance to do the intercepting."

Nor to get the publicity. It's not that Savage has been dying to get the clippings, you see, just recognition for the job he's done. That job has been immense.

Of course, with a name like Savage what did you expect him to do? Tackle the entire backfield?