Blind-sided

Whether he is ready for it or not, sophomore left tackle Mike Clare may find himself in the spotlight frequently this year. Clare is forced into the nearly impossible task of replacing Matt Birk '98--a sixth round pick of the Minnesota Vikings--at what is probably the most crucial and visible non-skill position on the football field.

Charged with protecting quarterback Rich Linden's blind side, missed blocks at his position could result in his field general being carried off the field on a stretcher.

On Saturday, Colgate sophomore defensive end Ahmad Russel owned his matchup with Clare. Russell entered the backfield unimpeded on more and more pass plays as the game proceeded.

His combination of strength and quickness allowed him to fly by the sluggish Clare to collect one sack and force a linden fumble, though he hurried Linden and generally disrupted play development in the backfield all day long.

"We didn't have an answer for [Russell] on the end today," Murphy said.

If Russell isn't merely a momentary blip of athleticism at right end, Harvard will have to look long and hard at ways to assist Clare and hold back the floodgates of would be assassins behind Linden.

Shock Therapy

This team has come to expect success quite quickly for a team that has seen only one winning season since 1987.

When healthy, the 1998 Crimson squad clearly contains the weapons and depth to win, but recent injuries will force the team to deal with adversity. In addition to serious injuries to all three of Harvard's top running backs, Linden and Patterson have suffered injuries causing both to miss practice time--though both played Saturday--and Kacyvenski has been stricken with food poisoning and could not hold down food Friday or Saturday before the game.

"We're dying," said Kacyvenski of the team's troubled opening. "We just need a win."