October 3: Holy Cross 30, Harvard 7--Can you say, instant offense? Holy Cross can, especially when it sees the Harvard defense.

After a trench-warfare first half gave the Crusaders a 5-0 edge, the Crimson allowed 18 points in the third quarter--to a team that had scored a total of 23 points in its first three games.

This one was very bad--Harvard's worst game of the season. Less said, sooner forgotten.

October 10: Cornell 31, Harvard 13--For the third straight week, Harvard lost by a score of thirtysomething to barelyanything.

Cornell took advantage of two key fumbles and shoddy pass coverage to blow a 7-7 halftime tie higher than Allen Ginsberg in the late '60s.

The Cornell defense roamed freely, unfettered by such things as the offensive line and various strategically positioned personnel. They sacked Giardi 10 times.

Ouch.

October 17: Lafayette 31, Harvard 29--Down 31-14 in the fourth quarter, the Crimson could have rolled over and played Jimmy Hoffa.

But instead, Giardi ignited a 15-point comeback that fell short when Harvard couldn't get the ball back in the closing minutes.

The message was loud and clear: Reports of Harvard's death were greatly exaggerated.

October 24: Princeton 21, Harvard 6--Inspiration really wasn't an issue as the stronger, more talented Princeton squad (led by junior running back Keith Elias, one of the leading backs in Division I-AA) steamrolled the Crimson in a steady rain.

This was the classic case of the Mack truck against the Geo Metro--just because there's a will doesn't mean there's a way.

October 31: Dartmouth 31, Harvard 7--Same thing, with Big Green junior quarterback Jay Fiedler taking over Elias's Big Bad Enemy role.

November 7: Harvard 29, Brown 19--This was the turning point.

Confronted with an absolute lack of talent, Harvard finally clicked on offense and on defense and ran up both the score and its morale.