The Big Red's number one ranking (overall in I-AA) in turnover margin complicates matters further for Harvard. Cornell has forced 16 turnovers but has committed only three. Big Red senior free safety Chris Hanson has four interceptions alone this season and the Crimson is averaging a frightful three turnovers per game.
"Although Cornell's defense is not the best [in Division I-AA], it is very close to it," Murphy said. "They are first in one of the most important and telling statistics: turnover ratio."
Harvard's defense, which has been uneven this season, will most likely find Cornell's offense to its liking. Cornell knows the old football adage: offense puts people in the seats, but defense wins games.
"Cornell's offense started very slowly this season," Murphy said. "They have been winning with their defense. However, we are catching a very good, balanced team."
The proverbial "big play" looms large on the Crimson defensive radar screen. Against Bucknell, five touchdown passes spelled out with brutal clarity what an opportunistic running back can do to the Harvard defense. In that regard, Murphy wants his second home game to be unlike his first.
"We must make them earn everything," he said. "We cannot give up any big plays. We know that they are going to be able to move the ball. If we eliminate the big plays, however, we'll be in this football game to the finish."