Okay, time for some Harvard Football Jeopardy. The answer: Jeff Compas, Colby Skelton, Jason Hughes, Tim Fleiszer, Mark Drakos, Chris Smith and Brady Hewitt.

The question: Who are the seven freshmen who have had a significant impact this season on the varsity football team?

As the 3-2 Harvard squad returns to Ivy League play this Saturday at Princeton, it finds itself in an unprecedented situation--relying heavily on the contributions of freshmen.

The first-year students aren't playing bit parts in this production, either. Compas leads the team in interceptions, with three, and has started all season at corner-back. Skelton has served as a kick returner and key wide receiver, snagging 11 passes with a team-high 18.7 yards per catch. Drakos has six catches of his own.

Fleiszer has risen from depth-chart obscurity to start at full-back.

Hughes starts on the defensive line, and Chris Smith will join him there for extensive stretches during the Princeton game. Hewitt handles all of the Crimson's kickoffs.

If not for a season-ending knee injury against Columbia, an eighth member of the class of '98, Brendan Bibro, would be joining his mates on this surprisingly long list.

What gives? Why is Harvard suddenly playing freshmen at positions and in situations where only veterans trod before?

The answer is simple: Ivy League schools voted two years ago to allow freshmen onto their varsity squads for the first time ever.

This season marks Harvard's initial foray into the Great Freshman Experiment. And under Coach Tim Murphy, the best players play. Right now, seven freshmen happen to merit that honor.

Don't think that they're not happy about it.

"It's great," said Hughes, an Ohio high school star who was recruited by Boston College, Stanford, Northwestern and Duke.

"When I came in, it was a little overwhelming," he said. "The step up in intensity from high school was really big. But the guys have tutored me really well, and I feel like a normal part of the team. It's a great situation."

"I just go out there and do whatever I can do, whatever helps the team," Compas said. "It's all about winning, and I'm glad I can do my part."

None of the players expected to step in as quickly as he did, however.