Evidence of this is the four sacks Linden endured Saturday in a game in which he rarely seemed under duress.

"The offensive line [was very important today]. I had a lot of time to throw the ball, and that opens up so much for us," Linden said.

At times, Linden did look better when in trouble Saturday, in part due to a well-conceived scouting report. Linden tucked the ball for substantial gains several times in the first half, including one of 16 yards.

"The coaches mentioned that [Holy Cross's] linebackers have a tendency to fly out [wide on the field]," Linden said. "So we talked that there might be huge [holes in the middle]."

Among the few areas of concern after Saturday's contest is the injury and depth situation, especially on offense. After losing several linemen in previous weeks, junior starting tight end Chris Eitzmann went down with a medial collateral ligament sprain, leaving senior Tom Giardi as the Crimson's only experienced threat at that position. Giardi stepped into the role quickly, making four catches for 46 yards and the Crimson's lone receiving touchdown Saturday.

However the tight end has been a featured receiver in the Crimson attack. Linden has completed 14 passes to the his tight end this season, accounting for four of Harvard's 10 passing touchdowns.

Giardi will have to continue to play well at this crucial, and now quite shallow, position if Eitzmann's loss is not to be sorely felt.

The tale of the tape: aiding Harvard's dominance of both lines Saturday may have been long sittings at the training table and simple physics.

Harvard's offensive line, which averages 278 pounds, outweighed Holy Cross' defensive line by almost 50 pounds per man, while the Crimson's defensive line actually outweighed the Crusader's offensive unit by about six pounds per player.