But Cornell may not even need the ground game against Harvard. Last year the Big Red completely abandoned the run in the second half and tore up the Crimson through the air.

Although Harvard’s secondary has since improved, it sill showed signs of vulnerability this years against Brown and even Lafayette before rebounding with a strong performance last week against Northeastern.

“I’d definitely rather face a team that mostly runs the football,” Murphy said. “When you’re a one-dimensional team that can only run the football, you can score, but it’s very difficult to fight quickly or play when your back’s against the wall.”

Harvard’s defense will receive a boost from the return of defensive end Phil Scherrer, who missed the last two games with an ankle injury. Last year’s leading tackler, sophomore linebacker Dante Balestracci is also likely to play after injuring his ankle in the Brown game.

Harvard figures to move the ball effectively on offense against a nondescript Cornell defense, which has allowed at least 35 points in all three games this season.

Statistically, Harvard has met its goal of running a balanced offense—the Crimson has gained nearly as many yards on the ground as through the air.

Yet in recent games the Harvard running game has struggled to move the ball consistently.

“We need to step it up in the running game,” Murphy said. “We had a terrific first game, but we did not run the football the last two games the way we’re used to.”

Murphy attributed the problem mostly to a lack of execution, particularly on the offensive line. The absence of senior tailback Josh Staph as a complement to junior starting tailback Nick Palazzo has also hurt. Palazzo has struggled in a featured back role since Staph’s injury.

Although Staph, who injured his ankle versus Brown, is unlikely to play, the offense will welcome the return of senior center Jason Hove, out since the Lafayette game.

Harvard’s passing attack has continued its success from last year’s record-setting season. Rose leads the Ivy League in passing efficiency, and ranks in the top 10 nationally in that category. He will look primarily to junior wideout Carl Morris, who has caught more than twice as many passes (21) as the next leading Harvard receiver. Wideouts Dan Farley and Sam Taylor also figure to play a role in the passing game— each averages more than 18 yards per catch.

But the key to Harvard’s successful start year has been its ability to protect the football. After a turnover-plagued season last year, Harvard has only given up the football twice—leading the nation—and has yet to throw an interception.

“Protecting the ball has been our sole concern as an offense,” Murphy said. “If we take care of the football, everything else will take care of itself.”

Murphy said the dramatic decrease in turnovers is due to the team’s overall experience at quarterback and offensive line as well as an increased emphasis on ball security.

Harvard would also do well to emphasize playing two complete halves of football this weekend.

“They’ve got an unbelievable quarterback and they never give up,” Laborsky said. “If we get up on these guys, we can’t let down at all.”