He holds the Harvard record for career rushing yards--a cool even 3330 yards and counting. He is averaging a whooping 4.99 yards per carry this year, and with 969 yards this season, he is on the brink of breaking the elusive 1,000-yard mark. A workhorse, Menick also captured the record for most carries in a single game against Princeton two years ago with 42.

He enters the Yale one shy of the Harvard career touchdown record. In 1997, on the first carry of the Yale game, Menick earned Harvard's single-season rushing record. Yale coach Jack Siedlecki called Menick after the game, "simply the best back in our League."

The motivation has been simple.

"The real thing that motivates me and drives me is the desire to be the best possible football player I can be and to never let my teammates down," Menick said, reflecting on his success.

However, 1999 has been in many ways a heartbreaking season for the

Crimson. Its four losses have come at a combined total of 15 points. Each

loss has come amidst an opponent's fourth-quarter comeback.

This past weekend, Harvard's (5-4, 3-3 Ivy) hopes for the share of the Ivy title were dashed when Penn (5-4, 4-2 Ivy) squeaked out a 21-17 victory. With 1:17 left in regulation, Penn quarterback Gavin Hoffman connected with wide receiver Brandon Carson for a 50-yard touchdown pass.

Reflecting on the losses, Menick said, "we showed a lot of heart and character."

The Penn game was particularly heartbreaking--it was the last game that Menick, along with the other seniors on the team, will play in Harvard Stadium.

As the stage Menick has accomplished so much on, the Stadium holds special meaning for the tailback.

"Considering it's our last game in Harvard Stadium, I feel kind of sentimental," Menick said after the game. "We wanted to end it right."

Many comparisons have been drawn between this year's squad and the 1997 Ivy title team. Despite the difference in the results, Menick sees similarities on the team.

"There's been a similar hunger on this team," he said, "we are really focused on winning and playing really hard all year."

Two years ago, the last time that the Crimson plowed into New Haven, they were on the brink of an Ivy title. Menick was poised to break the school single-season rushing record. The Crimson walked off with a stunning 17-7 victory and the Ivy title; Menick became the new rushing leader.