All year Steve Ernst has responded.

Despite being used at three different offensive backfield positions, as a punt returner and, occasionally, as a kickoff returner, Ernst has been a model of consistency. Not unusually fast or strong, he combines elements of speed and power in his running.

"Steven is totally consistent," Offensive Backfield Coach Larry Glueck says. "He's an excellent practice player; he gives 100 percent effort every time. You don't have to yell at Steven. In fact, sometimes when he's carrying the ball, he keeps running and you have to yell, 'Come back!' He never takes the easy way out."

Following in the footsteps of his brother Mike, Steve Ernst went from Clinton High School in central Massaschusetts to play for the Crimson. As Honorable Mention All-American football player in high school, Ernst was heavily recruited by schools all over New England and in the Ivy League. "I liked the idea of the opportunity to play with my brother again," says Ernst.

Wingback

In his freshman and sophomore campaigns the younger Ernst was used as a tailback. His junior year he started the season as a reserve wingback. (Wingbacks in Coach Joe Restic's Multi flex offense are used primarily as receivers and blockers.) After losing to Dartmouth in its fourth game last season, the Crimson inserted Ernst into the starting lineup in the tailback position.

Steve Ernst responded. He gained 60 yards in his debt and helped the team to a 27-15 victory over Princeton. By the end of the year, Ernst had gained 152 yards rushing and scored a touchdown against Yale.

After Jim Garvey graduated last June, returned to the wingback position. "Multiflex is such a wide type that I kind of enjoy all of the [positions]," says Ernst. "I enjoyed wingback and knew that with Mark Vignali and Robert Santiago it would be a big year."

Bright Spot

In the first four games of the season Ernst ran for 155 yards and, more important, cleared the way for tailback Vignali, who gained 406 yards in the same stretch. Injuries forced Ernst to move back to tailback against Dartmouth in the fifth game this fall.

Again, Steve Ernst responded. He gained 102 yards on 21 carries and was the Crimson's only bright spot on an otherwise bleak day. With fullback Santiago hurt, Ernst made his final shift. He became, for the first time since high school, a fullback.

"Steven fit the mold in all categories; that's a rare back," says Glueck. Harvard, after the loss against Dartmouth, needed to beat Princeton at the Stadium to stay in contention for the Ivy title.

Steve Ernst responded. Against the Tigers, Ernst racked up 115 yards on 19 carries. Not bad for a first-game fullback. "Ever since Princeton, you can't discount the combination of Steven and Greg Gizzi," Glueck said at the time. "They have enabled us to be where we are today." And Steve Ernst's biggest moments were yet to come.

The following weekend against Brown both teams struggled offensively. Turnovers prevented either team from putting any points on the board in the half. In the third quarter the Bruins scored and led, 7-0. Harvard turned to its fullback.

And again, he resonded.