Down three with 2:19 left in the fourth quarter, Harvard took possession of the ball on its own 12-yard line and began an epic 81-yard march downfield that would climax in one of the most disappointing moments of the Crimson’s season.

Just seven yards out, then-sophomore quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick optioned the ball to running back Rodney Thomas ’03, who fumbled away Harvard’s final chance to take the lead and solidified the Huskies 17-14 victory.

But last year’s game-ending debacle will be a distant memory once tomorrow’s battle of the titanic offenses begins, as No. 10 Northeastern brings the number two offense in Division I-AA to Cambridge to take on the Crimson, sporting the most proficient attack in the country.

Unlike Harvard’s, which centers on Fitzpatrick, the Huskies offense flows through its running backs.

Averaging 333 yards rushing per game—a statistic altered dramatically by a combined 92-yard performance last weekend against No. 3 Villanova—Northeastern rotates its backs through, pounding away at fatigued defensive lines until they are on the verge of collapse.

In the season-opener against Stonehill, the Huskies combined for nine rushing touchdowns and had six different rushers gain more than 50 yards, with three different players—sophomore Anthony Riley and freshmen Shawnn Gyles and Anthony Hopkins—each rushing for more than 100 en route to a 78-6 victory.

“I think the bottom line is that they’re a very good football team offensively and defensively,” Crimson coach Tim Murphy said. “But what they do best is run the football.”

Each of Northeastern’s four primary tailbacks—Riley, Gyles and seniors Peter Harris and Tim Gale—brings a distinctly different look when attacking the line of scrimmage, further complicating attempts to stop the ground game.

Harris, the team’s leading rusher thus far with 432 yards and 6 touchdowns, has been explosive in five games this season, finally regaining his speed lost to an MCL injury in 2001.

“He’s certainly running at a fast level,” Huskies coach Don Brown said. “And he’s got the ability to pop you and he’s got great shaking ability.”

Though lacking Harris’ speed, Riley has proven equally difficult to bring down, posting a team-high three 100-yard rushing performances this season.

Agile and shifty, he darts through opposing defenses, using misdirection to avoid oncoming defenders.

“He’s a jitterbug,” Brown said. “[He’s] tough to get a pop on.”

Gale brings the power the others lack, bowling over defenders before exploding into daylight. Utilizing his 4.4/40 speed, opposing secondaries have difficulty catching up with him once he finds a patch of green space and an even larger challenge bringing him down if they should manage to get their hands on him.

“He’s more of a slasher, a straight line power guy,” Brown said. “But if he gets in the open field he can finish.”