That was evident from the game's opening drive, when the Crimson drove all the way to the Princeton seven yard-line, setting up a 23-yard Scott Johnson field goal.
It continued on the Crimson's next drive. On third down and 19 at its own 20 yard-line, Giardi found Colby Maher down the right side-line for a 43-yard gain. That reception led to Giardi's first touchdown of the day and put the Crimson up, 10-0, with less than two minutes remaining in the quarter.
That feeling, though, that this perfect fall day could only go Harvard's way, quickly disappeared.
First, Princeton converted Matt Johnson's fumble early in the second quarter into a touchdown.
Behind Hirsch, the Crimson came right back. Hirsch carried six times on the 14-play drive, caught two passes and did everything but score the touchdown. That honor went to Johnson, who bolted 11 yards for the score with less than five minutes remaining in the half.
But just when it seemed like things were going Harvard's way again, Princeton caught a break. A tipped Roghair pass found its way into Lerch's arms at the Harvard seven-yard line. Running back Erick Hamilton scored two plays later to pull Princeton within three, 17-14.
Plays like Lerch's tipped ball reception and Roghair's prayer that Mike Wilson snared in the endzone on fourth down and 22 with less than three minutes to play had to make people wonder whether there was something to this fourth quarter jinx.
"Not again," the little voice cried.
Even Restic admitted to being worried when Princeton got the ball back with three seconds to play at the Harvard 41 yard line trailing only by three.
Harvard free safety Rob Santos was worried, too. Santos found himself in the endzone with no time remaining fighting for Roghair's heave.
"The ball went bouncing from back to leg, everywhere but to the ground," Santos said. "And then I finally saw it hit the ground."