On the ensuing second-and-19, Tracy read the play perfectly and intercepted quarterback Brad Maurer’s pass over the middle at the 28-yard line, ending the drive and any realistic hope Lafayette had of staging a comeback.

Thomas also had an interception late in the fourth quarter and added a blocked field goal as well.

“I think our defense played some very opportunistic defense,” Murphy said. “Sean Tracy made some big plays when they really counted.”

For the second straight year the one player that the Crimson defense had trouble controlling was fullback Joe McCourt. For the second time in two years, McCourt rushed for over 100 yards—mounting up 101 yards on 18 carries on Saturday. But with Harvard ahead throughout, Tavani couldn’t use McCourt as much as he would have liked.

The Crimson’s solid play was particularly impressive considering it was sandwiched between two Ivy games. With the game being a non-league contest, Murphy was pleased that his team was able to concentrate on the Leopards.

“I think our kids are very, very focused,” said Murphy of the prospect of his team overlooking Lafayette. “They were very focused. We felt like we had a great win last week but that we needed to play four quality quarters. For the most part we did that.”

—Staff writer David H. Stearns can be reached at stearns@fas.harvard.edu.