1996

Sports Statistics

Record: 4-6, 2-5 Ivy

Ivy Finish: Sixth

Coach: Tim Murphy

Key Players: Captain Sean Riley; Senior Eion Hu; Junior Colby Skelton; Freshmen Isaiah Kacyvenski and Rich Linden

1997

Harvard football fans have gotten used to the concept of patience. This season may be an indication that the Crimson program is on its way up after all.

The team had another sub-.500 season, finishing with a 4-6 record, but Harvard did win its first Big Three title since 1987.

There were too many frustrating losses such as the 6-3 loss to Dartmouth, or the 20-13 loss to Cornell, when Harvard fumbled on its first play after forcing a turnover at the Big Red 13-yard line.

But the highs indicate that good times may be coming. In its last visit to Palmer Stadium on Oct. 25, Harvard posted an historic 24-0 blanking of Princeton. The Crimson also held off a furious Yale rally to win the 113th rendition of The Game, 26-21.

The best thing to come out of this season was the discovery that Harvard had a defense. A defense meaning not just 11 guys trying to stop the other team, but an aggressive unit that could shut the run down cold and keep Harvard in games even when its offense took a hiatus.

After ranking 99th last year and 109th the year before, the Harvard defense ended up third best against the run (91 yards per game), 17th best overall (274 yards per game) and 19th best in scoring defense (16.4 points per game). And every starter--along with 10 of the second-teamers--is back next year.

"I think that two things went into our turnaround this year," coach Tim Murphy said. "One, the kids who played as freshmen and sophomores came of age. And two, we played an attacking style."

The defense was anchored by its junior defensive line--which has great depth--so fresh legs are always on the field. Next year's captain Brendan Bibro was joined by fellow juniors Chris Smith, Jason Hughes, Tim Fleiszer and Chris Schaefer.