VERY SPECIAL TEAMS

Harvard shouldn’t expect a respite from Cornell’s stifling defense when the Big Red’s special teams unit trudges onto the field.

Though Matt Schindel has been perfect on field goal tries thus far this season, it’s safe to say the freshman hasn’t faced so stiff a kick-blocking challenge in his young career.

Cornell’s opponents have attempted just three field goals in 2004, and—thanks to Joel Sussman—not once has the ball advanced beyond the line of scrimmage .

The 6’4 safety, who missed all of last season due to a back injury but didn’t lose the leap that has made him so effective, blocked two tries at Bucknell in the Big Red’s season opener before adding another last weekend against Towson.

“They clearly have kind of a special kid in Joel Sussman and the unit overall,” Harvard coach Tim Murphy said. “It’s a little bit remarkable.”

ALL SHOOK UP

Wide receiver Brian Edwards—already quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick’s primary target and the Crimson’s punt returner—will also field kickoffs full time starting this week.

Edwards was inserted for junior Corey Waller midway through last weekend’s win over Lafayette and provided superior field position in his limited opportunities.

“The bottom line,” Murphy said, “is he’s given us some juice at that position and he’s an instant shot of adrenaline.”

Murphy was far less sure as to who would kick the ball off for the Crimson tomorrow.

Despite his success guiding the ball between the uprights, Schindel struggled to crack the 10-yard line on his kickoffs.

“It seems like he’s suddenly got what I guess our special teams coach would call ‘a little case of the yips,’” Murphy said. “I’m sure he’ll settle down, but it obviously put us in a bind field position-wise down at Lafayette.”

His backup Clem McDavid performed equally poorly though, breaking the 14-yard line just once in four attempts.

So who will get the nod tomorrow?

“To be determined,” Murphy said.