NEW HAVEN, Conn.—The Harvard football team’s Ivy League-clinching victory over Penn last week featured the usual clutch plays from Carl Morris, Neil Rose and the Harvard defensive line.

But in a surprisingly close win over the Bulldogs yesterday, the Crimson turned to a number of unexpected heroes for the stellar performances that allowed them to hang on to victory.

Special K

Sophomore linebacker Dante Balestracci is already no stranger to game-breaking plays on the defensive side of the ball. In yesterday’s win against Yale, Harvard Coach Murphy called on Balestracci to extend a Harvard drive in a critical situation.

As the Crimson nursed a 22-17 lead in the third quarter, Harvard faced fourth-and-5 at midfield and brought out the punting team. Balestracci was lined up between the line and sophomore punter Adam Kingston to protect the kick. The snap came, but to everyone’s surprise, Balestracci received it and began running to his left.

Six yards later, Balestracci hit traffic and lateralled the ball to Kingston, who was streaking to his right.

Kingston handled the toss easily and took advantage of solid blocking to run the ball all the way to the Yale 8-yard line before being brought down by the Bulldogs’ Brian Ford.

It was the sort of trick play that Murphy’s followers have almost come to expect and one that Murphy said he hadn’t pulled out of his bag of tricks since he coached Cincinnati a decade ago.

“I think the last time I tried that one was against Florida State in maybe 1991,” Murphy said. “We got a lot of yardage, but [current New England corner] Terrell Buckley picked us off on the next play and scored.”

This time, Murphy got to see something good come from his shenanigans. The play set up Harvard’s fourth touchdown of the day, a Rose sneak that brought the score to 28-17.

Murphy praised both of the parties involved in the fourth-down conversion, noting Balestracci’s athletic prowess.

“Dante Balestracci could play for our basketball team,” Murphy said. “He could play for our baseball team. He’s got a way of doing all the right things.”

And what about the punter?

“Adam was a standout receiver at Nebraska,” Murphy said. “He’s been asking for chances to catch the ball. I might have to start listening.”

Where’s The Money, Laborsky?