OFFENSIVE LINE

Yale’s running backs average 3.3 yards per carry. Harvard’s average 4.0.

Yale’s quarterbacks have been sacked 25 times this season. Harvard’s helmsmen have been sacked 16 times.

Yale averages 23.9 points per game. Harvard averages 32.3 ppg.

The Crimson’s combination of seniors Steve Collins, Jason Hove, Justin Stark, Danny Kistler and junior Jamil Soriano have pancaked and pummeled opponents all year long. Yale has had to rely on freshmen and sophomores to fill in for injured starters throughout the season. Pity the Elis.

ADVANTAGE: HARVARD

DEFENSIVE LINE

Only Penn’s defensive line could possibly rank with Harvard’s dominating cast of characters.

The Crimson overwhelmed the Quakers in the second half, using its scary defensive line to shut down potential NFL draftee quarterback Gavin Hoffman and running back Kris Ryan. Harvard’s senior defensive ends Mark Laborsky and Phil Scherrer may both receive All-Ivy League First Team selections.

No one has been better than Laborsky on the pass this season. Using his 6-4, 230 lb frame and his Mark Gastineau-like quickness, Laborsky leads the Ivy League with 10 sacks, averaging more than one per game. In the middle, captain Ryan FitzGerald and senior Kyle Sims have been impenetrable this year. Any tailback success this season has occurred from running to the outside, as FitzGerald and Sims dominate the line of scrimmage.

ADVANTAGE: HARVARD

LINEBACKERS

It’s not as if Yale has terrible linebackers. It’s just that the Bulldogs don’t have sophomore superstar Dante Balestracci, the league’s best.

Harvard’s most prized defensive possession, Balestracci will likely finish the year first in team tackles despite missing two games with an injury. He is a behemoth in the middle, swallowing up anyone who dares cross his path. Following up his Ivy Rookie of the Year campaign of last season, Balestracci has demonstrated his immense talent throughout the 2001 season. Don’t be surprised if he scores a touchdown for Harvard in The Game.

Harvard senior Eric LaHaie is fourth on the team in tackles and will likely earn himself All-Ivy credentials. Junior John Perry also made a name for himself this season against Northeastern, forcing a fumble and returning it 85 yards for a touchdown.