Quarterback

Both Harvard and Yale boast one player who has essentially taken every important snap on the season for his team. Crimson fans know all about captain Ryan Fitzpatrick and his sensational career. Fitzpatrick has accounted for 16 total touchdowns while transfixing opposing defenses with his ability to make plays on the run. Coming into the season, many would have said Yale fifth-year senior Alvin Cowan could make a legitimate case that he was right there with Fitzy, but his inability to put Yale over the top this year has dealt a blow to the Bulldogs. He has thrown for more passing yards than Fitzpatrick, but he simply hasn’t been able to run the ball or do the same kinds of things that Fitzpatrick does at the end of games to win. On both sides, the backup situation is stable but not ideal. It’s safe to say that neither starter will come out of his final contest unless his arm is detached from his shoulder.

Advantage: Harvard

Running Back

Anyone who has watched a Crimson football game over the past two years knows all about sophomore tailback Clifton Dawson. The speedy Canadian is well on his way to breaking almost every single rushing record in the Harvard record books. Despite many injuries at the fullback position, converted linebacker Mike Lucas has filled in nicely in recent weeks. Lining up at tailback for Yale will be senior Robert Carr. The three year starter has gained 1,129 yards on the year and has cemented his place as one of the best backs in Yale history. Still, you would be hard-pressed to find an NFL scout who would tell you that Carr has the same kind of explosiveness or ability to read defenses that makes Dawson a special player. Yale plays more of a pro-style offense with Cowan dropping back and they do not have a fullback who carries the ball.

Advantage: Harvard

Receiver

The Crimson has senior Brian Edwards along with sophomore Corey Mazza lining up outside in Murphy’s base sets. With defenses throwing double teams at Edwards early in the season, Mazza became Fitzpatrick’s primary receiver. But as Mazza emerged as a serious deep threat causing defenses to shade safeties in his direction, Edwards has taken advantage of the single coverage in the second half. Junior Ryan Tyler has been a quality third receiver, catching 20 balls on the season. Tyler—who converted this season to receiver after Dawson’s emergence as the go-to tailback—has made big plays on slants and ins. Fitzpatrick has used the tight end sparingly by the goal line, throwing to senior Adam Jenkins and junior Jason O’Neill a combined 10 times on the season. Yale, however, has a deeper and more experienced receiving corps, with senior Ralph Plumb being Cowan’s number one target. Plumb has been starting for three seasons, and he has established himself as Cowan’s favorite receiver, catching 68 balls for 861 yards and five scores this season. Junior Chandler Henley, who has caught 44 balls, has been the big-play threat for Cowan on the year, notching 44 catches for 642 yards and six TDs. Cowan also has been known to look for players out of the backfield.

Advantage: Yale

Offensive Line

Senior left tackle NFL prospect Rory Hennessey anchors a Yale offensive line that has been more consistent than Harvard’s all season. While the Bulldog front five plays two seniors—Hennessey and right guard Anthony Bellino, along with three sophomores—the Harvard offensive line has been plagued by injuries all season. Seniors Mike Frey, Brian Lapham, Andy Smith, and John Bechdol have moved in and out all year while Murphy and his staff have used junior C/G Will Johnson to move along the line and serve as an anchor.

Advantage: Yale

Defensive Line

Despite early concerns about replacing All-Ivy defensive end Brian Garcia, the Harvard defensive ends have been stellar all season. Freshman Desmond Bryant—known as ‘The Freak’ by his teammates due to his uncanny resemblance in playing style to Eagles defensive end Jevon Kearse—has established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the Ivy League with four sacks and six tackles for a loss. Sophomore Michael Berg and junior Erik Grimm rotate in at defensive end for the Crimson, and both have played well despite injury problems. At tackle, the Crimson has seniors Matt McBurney and Coesen Ngwun, who have both proved to be effective run-stoppers. Murphy will rotate defensive line players on almost every series. Yale’s defensive line has simply not been able to make the necessary stops to finish out ballgames. In Jack Siedlecki’s base 5-2 set, senior Don Smith and junior Brandon Dyches will line up at defensive end. Inside, the Bulldogs will likely have promising freshman Brandt Hollander and junior Andrew Ralph at defensive tackle while senior Willie Cruz will line up on the nose.

Advantage: Harvard

Linebacker