Harvard didn't score, but it made sure the Crusaders would only have once chance to tie. Holy Cross almost came back, but its pass into the end zone on fourth-and-goal from the Harvard 16 was caught beyond the endline by Steve Green.
Against Columbia last week, Harvard made few mistakes. Yesterday, it committed seven penalties, lost two fumbles and gave up six sacks.
"It was not exactly our prettiest win, but I'll take it," Murphy said. "We were sloppy and made it more of a game than it should have been."
Harvard showed it has the mental make-up to be a great team. It won at less than its best and despite as traumatizing an 18-second period as can be.
This team has seniors who have won before, going 9-1 as sophomores. That winning experience and the ability to dig itself out of holes were just what Harvard needed on Saturday.