Add to that its continual bad field position and a stagnant running game that gained only two yards, and most would think that the Crimson was lucky to be down by only a touchdown after two quarters of play.

"It was a game of momentum, and they had most of it obviously in the first half," Murphy said. "The key was to just keep them out of the end zone."

The second half began auspiciously for the Crimson when senior Mike Sands crushed Vena on an option keep, forcing a fumble that was recovered by junior defensive lineman R.D. Kern at the Colgate 45. The Crimson then went the distance in five plays, ending on a 15-yard touchdown run by senior tailback Chris Menick down the left sideline on an option play. Menick got a great block from the fullback to get to the corner. The score tied the game, 7-7, with 10:55 left in the quarter.

However, Harvard's offensive woes took a different turn later in the quarter. After the Crimson defense was able to hold Colgate on fourth down, Wilford passed to freshman Kyle Cremarosa on the ensuing possession. The ball was tipped in the air, and Red Raider senior safety Tom McCarroll intercepted it at the Harvard 33. Four plays later, Colgate took the ball into the end zone on a five-yard run by backup senior fullback Lydelle King. King got the ball on a fullback dive off the option and was untouched.

On Harvard's first play of its next possession, the ball was once again tipped on a pass to Cremarosa. Once again, Colgate intercepted the ball and had the ball on the Harvard 39. On the very next play, Joseph sprinted up the middle then up the right sideline for his second long touchdown run of the day, outrunning two defensive backs to give the Red Raiders a 21-7 lead with 1:55 left in the quarter.

Harvard threw its third straight drive-ending interception on the first play after the ensuing kickoff. On an option pitch right, Menick pulled up and threw a pass down the right sideline--again to Cremarosa--that McCaroll picked off with ease.

The Crimson committed a total of four turnovers on the day, two of which led directly to Colgate touchdowns.

"We really got some momentum in the second half, although it was compromised a couple of times by some turnovers, which really put some pressure on our defense," Murphy said.