The most shocking sight at the Harvard football team’s season opener a week from Saturday may not be a diving catch or an ankle-breaking spin move. Instead, it could very well be freshman defensive back Daniel Tanner.

Why? Because Tanner, not all-everything Carl Morris ’03, will be wearing No. 19, and the sight will cement the end of an era.

With the graduation of Morris, a two-time Ivy Player of the Year, and the loss of senior speedster Kyle Cremarosa to a season-ending injury, the Crimson receiving corps enters the season with a lot to prove—not to mention 160 yards per game to replace.

“There is quite a bit [of pressure],” said junior wide receiver James Harvey. “The biggest thing you lost with Carl and Creme was a lot of leadership. Those guys had both been playing since their freshman years and they kind of showed us the way.”

The loss of Cremarosa, which came after the senior sustained a broken tibia and partially dislocated ankle during last Saturday’s scrimmage, left Harvard without a primary target and go-to guy.

But the Crimson also lost something equally important—depth.

In the aftermath of Cremarosa’s injury, junior Rodney Byrnes, a WR/RB last season, immediately lost his “slash.” After posting 482 receiving yards and 226 rushing yards in 2002-—second- and third-best on the team, respectively—he will simply be a wideout this season.

“I don’t see Rodney playing running back as long as our running back situation maintains some degree of health,” said Harvard coach Tim Murphy.

Byrnes joins classmates Harvey and Brian Edwards to form a trio of experienced returnees. Harvey emerged as a solid complement to Morris last season, making five catches, including one for a touchdown, against Columbia. Meanwhile the speedy Edwards (his 4.49 40-yard dash is second-best on the team) averaged the most yards per catch (16.9) of any player on the squad.

Toss in a couple of impact freshmen, and Murphy likes what he sees.

“I expect that the committee of Brian Edwards, Rodney Byrnes, James Harvey and possibly [freshman] Corey Mazza will give us a strong wide receiver presence,” Murphy said.

The 6’3 Mazza, a high-profile signee last spring, has exceeded expectations in fall practices. Both Mazza and fellow freshman Danny Brown have impressed teammates with both their abilities and familiarity with the offense.

“I have been impressed [with the freshmen receivers],” Edwards said. “Mazza and Brown came in very prepared. They knew the offense and have been practicing well.”

Harvey agrees.

“It’s amazing,” Harvey said. “They are so far ahead of where I was when I was a freshman. We’ve got a talented freshman class.”