Rose and senior wideout Carl Morris—last season’s Ivy League Player of the Year—form what is easily the most potent passing combination in the Ivy League.

“I don’t know if we can stop them,” Allen said. “We’ll just have to slow them down the best we can.”

Holy Cross will rely heavily on its linebackers—led by All-America candidate David Dugan—to contain the Crimson offense. Rose said expects the Crusaders to use a 3-4 alignment while playing back to stop the deep pass.

“They’re going to make us run the football, which we’re pretty comfortable doing, and they’re going to make us be patient with the pass,” Rose said.

If, as expected, the Crusaders place heavy coverage on Morris, senior wideout Kyle Cremarosa should see several more passes come his way. Cremarosa returns from a year off to give Rose another dependable option at receiver.

“It’s wonderful to have him back,” Rose said. “The routes he runs are perfect, he’s got flawless technique, and he’s got perhaps the stickiest hands I’ve ever seen.”

Senior tailback Nick Palazzo—the team’s leading rusher—returns at tailback, but he might have more trouble finding holes behind a revamped offensive line that must replace four starters. Since the Crimson intends to run a balanced attack, the performance of the offensive line could be crucial to the game’s outcome.

“Our offensive line was pretty much decimated by graduation,” Murphy said. “We’re going to find out what we’re like up front tomorrow.”

Rose, however, said he does not expect a drop-off in play up front.

“We’re not under the impression that our line is weaker than last year,” Rose said. “I’m expecting great things Saturday.”