There's no place like home. There's no place like home.

At least that's what the Harvard football team is saying as it prepares to take the field tomorrow against the Lehigh Mountain Hawks in its home opener, looking to notch its first win of the season against a team it defeated 35-30 just one year ago.

"We're definitely happy to be home," junior linebacker Isaiah Kacyvenski said. "We love playing here, and we are coming out with something to prove."

Harvard (0-2, 0-1 Ivy) and Lehigh (3-0, 1-0 Patriot) come in to Saturday's contest headed in opposite directions. The Hawks arrive in Cambridge on the heels of a 31-24 overtime victory over Princeton last week at home.

"They are coming in undefeated at 3-0, and are playing really confidently," said junior quarterback Rich Linden. "But we're hungry for a win, and we're going to throw everything we've got at them."

The Crimson on the other hand, is winless two weeks into the season for the first time since 1958, after being routed for the second consecutive week, this time a 34-14 defeat at Colgate.

In last year's championship season, Harvard was untouchable at home, posting a perfect 5-0 record en route to the program's first perfect Ivy League record.

Thus far, however, the Crimson has looked like anything but defending champions. In the first week of the season Harvard traveled to New York to take on Ivy League foe Columbia, and suffered its first shutout defeat since 1994, losing at the hands of the Lions by the score of 24-0.

And then came the debacle against Colgate. Despite forcing the Red Raiders into seven turnovers starting four drives in Colgate territory, Harvard could muster only 14 points.

Much of the offensive troubles can be attributed to the absence of junior tailback Chris Menick--a First team All-Ivy selection last season--who sat with a broken thumb and a sprained ankle. Sophomore backup Chuck Nwokocha has done a decent job filling in, gaining 62 yards on 18 carries last week.

Menick, who led the Crimson in rushing last season with a school-record 1,267 yards, is probable for Saturday, and his anticipated return should provide a shot in the arm to the stagnant Crimson offense.

Also key will be the play of the offensive line. Linden has been effective when given time to throw this season, completing better than 50 percent of his passes for 243 yards. Junior flanker Terence Patterson (seven receptions, 50 yards) and sophomore split end Josh Wilske (seven receptions, 90 yards) have emerged as his favorite targets.

But Linden has received pressure in both losses this season, has been sacked a total of seven times, and has thrown four interceptions against one touchdown. The Crimson offense will look to establish consistency against a Lehigh defense that allows 221 yards passing per game.

"We've had a good week of practice," Linden said. "We're starting to get into a rhythm, and plays are looking a lot cleaner. I think that we'll have a different look tomorrow."

Harvard will face a tough and experienced Lehigh defense led by senior defensive linemen David Merrifield and Nick Martucci--both four-year starters. The solid linebacking corps is anchored junior Ian Eason, who has registered over 100 tackles in each of his first two seasons. And the Hawks also boast an experienced and athletic secondary.