"I've never really been a big fan of Harvard," said Johnson.

This season has been different from last year for the Elis, but not for Johnson. While Yale fell out of Ivy League contention two weeks ago, Johnson has continued from where he left off last season. He is the team's primary wide receiver, its top offensive threat, and has been consistently spectacular.

Averaging more than eight receptions per game, Johnson stands among the top receivers in Division I-AA. He has 73 receptions this year for 894 yards. He averages 12.2 yards per catch, is the deep threat in Yale's offense and has 12 touchdowns on the year. Johnson is the "go-to guy" in the red zone and almost always draws double coverage.

"His strongest attributes are his hands and his balance," Siedlecki said. "He does not wear receiver gloves. He catches every ball in his hands and has a really soft touch when catching the ball."

Siedlecki used Yale's recent loss to Princeton, 19-14, to illustrate how Johnson's exceptional balance can compensate for his lack of blazing speed, often essential in a wide receiver. Breaking from the line of scrimmage, Johnson was lined up opposite a faster Princeton corner.

"He spun the defensive back right around," Siedlecki said. "His ability to cut at full speed leaves behind faster players who cannot change direction at full speed with him."

Johnson was a gifted athlete during his time at Needham High School, where he lettered in football, basketball and volleyball, captaining all three squads.

"Eric was superior--a great player for us as a high-schooler," said Needham High School Athletic Director Roy Johan. "He is a classic triple threat on the football field. He kicked field goals and extra points, caught touchdowns, and even threw for a touchdown."

Johnson's success is not a real surprise to those who know him well.

"I'm not terribly surprised about Eric's success at Yale," Johan said. "You can argue that he's one of their best players."

While Johnson may no longer excel at three sports like he did at Needham High, he still makes multiple contributions for the Elis.

Johnson, who handles the punting duties for Yale, was named one of the top five Division I-AA punters in 1999 by the Sports Network. He was also named a Second Team All-Ivy punter, which went along quite nicely with his Second Team All-Ivy wide receiver and Academic All-Ivy honors.

Johan remembered Johnson's qualities of leadership, intelligence and respect from his time as a co-captain at Needham.

"Johnson was a huge asset as co-captain," Johan said. "He is a real gentleman, respectful of the people around him, of his school and of the sport."

"His leadership is best exemplified by his work ethic," Siedlecki said. "Other players naturally look up to a player who works as hard as Eric and they know he will make the big play in the pressure situations."

Making the big play under pressure is not something that fazes Johnson.

Last year's catch against Harvard, in the ultimate pressure situation, qualifies as the biggest catch of Johnson's career and one of the biggest catches in Yale football history.

Harvard fans just hope he won't have a repeat performance as a senior in his final game.