Finally.

After three weeks of poor play and disappointment, the Harvard football team has done what came so easily to last year's team--win a game.

The Crimson (1-3, 1-1 Ivy) won its first game of the season Saturday, defeating the Big Red of Cornell (2-2, 0-2), 19-12 at a muddy, rain-soaked Harvard Stadium. CORNELL  12 HARVARD  19

"Its just total elation right now," said junior tailback Chris Menick. "We knew we had it in us, it was just a matter of doing it."

In recapturing its winning ways, Harvard also returned to last year's formula--pound the ball through the line with Menick and dominate on defense.

Menick bore almost the entire offensive burden, carrying the ball 39 times for 176 yards. After a disappointing game last week against Lehigh, he finally displayed last year's form.

Those 39 rushes nearly broke the Harvard record of 42, set by Menick against Princeton last year. He also moved into third place on Harvard's all-time rushing list.

"Our offensive line just dominated today," Menick said. "They played with so much heart, I just followed them."

The defense meanwhile limited last week's Ivy League Offensive Player of the Week, senior quarterback Mike Hood, to nine completions on 22 attempts. The line pressured Hood all game, sacking him twice and forcing him to flee the pocket on many occasions.

"We had to play a little harder," said captain Brendan Bibro. "[Hood] is a great athlete and we just had to keep after him."

The defense also forced four turnovers, intercepting Hood three times and recovering a fumble by half-back Deon Harris.

One of those interceptions became the key point of the game.

After Harvard missed a field goal that would have given it a 12-6 lead, Hood began to lead his team downfield.

On first-and-10 from the Cornell 35, Hood rolled right and launched a five-yard pass that junior safety Aron Natale tipped up. Senior cornerback Glenn Jackson caught the loose ball and took it down the left sideline for a touchdown, giving Harvard a 16-6 lead.

The 10-point advantage did not last one play.