With Harvard up 14-3 and looking to build its advantage early in the second quarter, Rose was picked off by Princeton linebacker Chris Roser-Jones, who led Division I-AA linebackers in interceptions last season and has three this season. Roser-Jones returned the ball to the Harvard 15 and set up a Tiger touchdown.

After sitting out a series because of a jarring hit, a shaken Rose lofted a wobbly pass down the right sideline, which was intercepted by cornerback Paul Simbi, one of his two picks on the day. Rose’s miscue led to a Princeton field goal.

Then, in the waning seconds of the first half with Harvard deep in Princeton territory, Taylor hauled in a Rose aerial across the middle of the field and stretched for the end zone, only to lose the ball. The Tigers recovered and the Crimson threat was thwarted.

Overall, a 17-point swing resulted from the four Crimson turnovers, but Harvard pulled it out in the end. Next time, the Crimson may not be so fortunate.

Anybody Got a Band-aid?

Just when it seemed that the Crimson had its core of key players healthy and ready to perform, the injury bug struck again against the Tigers.

A week after getting sophomore linebacker Dante Balestracci, senior tailback Josh Staph and senior defensive end Phil Scherrer back from early-season ailments, three more Harvard players succumbed to injury.

Junior tailback Nick Palazzo, who carried the Crimson ground attack in Staph’s absence and provided a valuable change-of-pace to the Harvard offense, tweaked a hamstring injury in practice Friday and did not dress against the Tigers.

Then, early in the second quarter, Staph aggravated the ankle injury that sidelined him for two games earlier this season and sat out the rest of the game.

Junior Rodney Thomas, who was fourth on the Harvard depth chart at tailback in the spring, stepped in and picked up 83 yards to lead the Crimson.

On the same series that Staph left the game, Rose was shaken up and sat out one series, but returned and led the team into the second half.

However, on the Crimson’s first drive of the second stanza, Rose injured his throwing shoulder while diving into the end zone on a three-yard touchdown run and spent the remainder of the game on the sideline.

Freshman Ryan Fitzpatrick, who vaulted into the backup quarterback spot after an exodus of signal callers from the team since last season, replaced Rose and led the team for most of the second half. Fitzpatrick finished with 61 yards through the air and recorded his first career touchdown pass, which gave Harvard a 28-20 lead that the Tigers couldn’t overcome.

Despite seeing his first truly competitive collegiate action, Fitzpatrick seemed calm and poised in protecting the Crimson advantage during the second half.