As if that weren't bad enough, Penn fields a punishing defense, led by. All American candidate Tim Chambers.

The hosts, who like the Crimson have been waiting for this game since season's start, say they're ready.

"We've played all season to get to this point," McGeehan says. "This game beats it all."

And there's little argument from the other side on that point.

"This game has been in the back of our minds since the first day of camp," says Harvard captain Steve Abbott.

"And as we watched films of our upcoming opponents, each week we found ourselves watching the Penn players, instead of who we were going to play," says Harvard quarterback Brian Bergstrom, who was here with Caron two years ago.

What the Crimson will need to do is keep the ball away from the opportunistic Quakers, and to do that the Cantabs will rely on the league's most productive backfield.

Leading the way are junior fullback Robert Santiago and senior tailback Mark Vignali, the Ivy's top two runners, respectively.

Vignali, who suffered a mild concussion in last Saturday's 24-10 victory over Brown, is healthy and will play.

Also back is sophomore wingback George Sorbara, who himself suffered a mild concussion a week ago.

At the helm is junior quarterback Brian White, who many figure will have to put the ball up today if the Crimson is to topple the speedy Quakers.

Defensively, Harvard will throw a surprise at the hosts, often blitzing its linebackers while allowing its tackles to cover Penn's runningbacks.

The Crimson, riding a four-game, winning streak, enters the do-or-die showdown with high hopes, but most agree that Harvard will need some help.

"There's no doubt they're a good team," Abbott says. "But this is what we've worked for all year."