While Rose did throw a pair interceptions, the rest of his numbers were solid, as he completed 25 passes for 257 yards and two touchdowns.

Rose was also the Crimson’s second leading rusher, scrambling eight times for 41 yards, including a two-yard TD scamper to seal the game, 28-7.

The first of Rose’s two touchdown tosses, a 15-yard strike to Morris early in the second quarter, broke a 7-7 tie and gave Morris his eighth touchdown grab in 2002.

On the day Morris caught 10 balls for a season-low 96 yards. Harvard’s supporting cast stepped up, however, as sophomores Rodney “Slash” Byrnes and Harvey racked up over 50 receiving yards apiece.

Columbia coach Ray Tellier wasn’t shocked by the Crimson’s solid offensive production.

“Harvard has been balanced all year. They run the ball well,” Tellier said “They have a nice passing game with two, three, four good receivers. We weren’t surprised by it.”

While Tellier hailed the Crimson offense, Murphy was critical of his team’s production.

“I thought we should have had more points, I think we squandered some opportunities.”

But Murphy was positive about a resurgent Crimson ground attack.

“I think the key thing was to come up with 230 yards rushing,” Murphy said. “That gets us back to where we want to be.”

Still, while the Crimson offense put up over 200 more yards than Columbia, it was the Lions who struck first.

After Columbia free safety Philip Murray intercepted a Rose pass deflected off of Morris’ hands Columbia marched down the field on a 10-play, 64-yard drive.

The drive was capped by an impressive 20-yard touchdown pass from Hunsberger to junior wide receiver Steve Cargile.

“I think they came out ready to play,“ Murphy said “They made the plays on the first drive and we didn’t. You can’t worry about that too much. We regrouped, talked it over, and made the adjustments we needed.”

And the Crimson defense definitely did regroup as it held Columbia scoreless for the remainder of the contest. Columbia’s was also the lowest point total of a Harvard opponent since October 28, 2000 when the Crimson trounced the Lions 34-0.

“I think it was a very business-like win,” Murphy said. “We just went out and did what we had to do.”