If only the Ivy League football season was 13 weeks long. Because if the Crimson (4-2 Ivy League, 4-5 overall) had a few more games on its schedule, it could have made a serious run at the Ivy title. After dropping its first four out of five games, the Crimson has rebounded by winning its last three out of four. A victory in The Game would make Harvard's resurgence even sweeter.

Here's a game-by-game review of the 1989 Crimson season:

September 16: When Harvard starts losing to Columbia, it's time to worry. Fortunately for the Crimson, those worries will have to wait another year.

For the 11th consecutive year, Harvard opens the season against the Lions with a victory.

Playing at a mud-soaked Lawrence A. Wein Stadium in Manhattan, the Crimson defeats Columbia, 26-10. Running back Jim Reidy collects a career-high 139 yards on 19 carries. Quarterback Tim Perry completes 10 of 14 passes for 135 yards. The Multiflex is rolling. Coach Joe Restic is happy, but concerned, especially about the seven fumbles Harvard commits.

September 23: In its first home game of the season, the Crimson surprises Holy Cross by taking a 17-10 lead in the third quarter.

But the signs of disaster are there: Reidy is hurt, and the Crimson lose the ball on two key drives deep in Crusader territory.

Holy Cross, led by fullback Joe Segreti's 171 yards, reels off 21 unanswered points and captures the game.

After the game, Restic is worried about team depth and injuries. Especially when his squad must face Army on artificial turf the next week.

September 30: Harvard takes a quick 14-0 lead, and the Cadets are stunned.

The Army wishbone offense, however, wears out the tired Crimson defense to score seven straight touchdowns for a 49-14 lead. The Cadets eventually win, 56-28. Harvard has not given up this many points in 29 seasons.

Yet Perry shows flashes of brilliance, as the Crimson has to depend on the pass. The senior throws for 311 yards and three touchdowns.

Restic's fears come true. Defensive sparkplug Bobby Frame is hurt, as are running backs Silas Myers and David Haller.

October 7: Quicker than you can say, "Welcome to Harvard Stadium," the visiting Lehigh Engineers score 28 unanswered points in the first nine minutes of the game. Lehigh quarter-back Todd Brunner is unconscious, tossing four touchdown passes.

Harvard rallies back to close within a touchdown, 28-21. But the Engineers are too tough and capture a 50-28 victory. Lehigh finishes the day with 671 yards of total offense. It marks the first time the Crimson has given up 40-plus points in consecutive games.