PICK YOUR POISON

That leaves Northeastern facing the same decision that has frustrated Harvard’s opponents each game thus far this season. Double team Brian Edwards and take your chances with Mazza, or defend both equally and risk a big play by either?

Though the weather took the choice out of Holy Cross’ hands, coaches have chosen to force Mazza to beat them in each of the past three weeks, and on each occasion he has obliged, with an assist from quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Northeastern coach Rocky Hager will likely not make the same mistake.

“I would say that there are packages that would create double coverage on either one of them,” Hager said. “Some of [our defense] will be formational, some of it will be pre-called.”

Whatever it is, the Huskies sure hope it works better than whatever they tried last year when Edwards shredded the secondary for 180 yards and two touchdowns on just seven receptions.

“We’re going to try tokeep that from happening again this year,” Hager said.

The complexion of Harvard’s offense has changed dramatically since then, though. In addition to Clifton Dawson’s emergence at tailback and Mazza’s breakout this year, Ryan Tyler has become a bona fide third option at wide receiver.

“We feel like they’re probably going to man up a little more on the outside,” Mazza said. “It’s tough to say because, if you go by last year, they’re going to want to double Brian really bad, but if they do that they’re going to be leaving Clifton alone and [Tyler] alone.”

“If you try to take away one of our options, we’re going to bring it,” he added. “You’ve got to pick your poison.”

Whichever target the Husky secondary tries to take from Fitzpatrick, chances are still good that he’ll be able to hit his chosen mark. Mazza (6’3) and Edwards (6’0) enjoy a considerable height advantage over Northeastern starting cornerbacks, Joe Okrah (5’9) and Bismark Osei (5’10).

—Staff writer Timothy J. McGinn can be reached at mcginn@fas.harvard.edu.