I thought Harvard Coach Tim Murphy would squirm, or look away, at the least. On the other hand, it was no surprise that the question was coming.

So, coach, who would be the starting quarterback? With no hesitation, he looked me right in the eye and said, "We have decided on a number one for Columbia. It's Brad Wilford."

"It feels good because of all the hard work I put in," Wilford said. "It sometimes seemed hopeless, having a classmate who had started since freshman year. Everyone's happy for me, but it's not me versus Rich. I think the team is happy with either."

With that, a chapter in Harvard football history might have been closed, although it's too early to count senior quarterback Rich Linden out for good. Linden, a Harvard staple since he became the first freshman starting quarterback in school history, was benched.

And boy, was he. Murphy said Linden "certainly will get a series," which is like telling a starving man he can have a bite. Linden can't be very happy being like Chris Rock, begging for just...one...rib.

"Certainly get a series" for someone who led Harvard to a 9-1 (7-0 Ivy) '97 campaign that resulted in the Crimson's first Ivy championship in 10 years. "Certainly get a series" for the second-leading passer in school history.

Linden battled through ankle and throwing shoulder injuries last year, injuries that kept him from putting much zip on the ball. Too many of his throws bounced far short or, in a fit of overcompensation, sailed high.

"I don't know if the injuries hurt my chances," Linden said. "I worked hard this summer to rehab my shoulder and ankle, I think they gave both of us a fair look, and Brad's playing well right now."

Linden began last season 10-of-17 for only 60 yards and two interceptions in a 24-0 loss at Columbia. He threw a pair of picks in each of the first three games, completed only 4-of-12 in horrible weather against Cornell, and was 5-of-10 before being yanked at halftime against Holy Cross.