The Harvard linebacking corps is undoubtedly stronger than it was a year ago. This seems hard to believe after the graduation of captain and four-year starter Dante Balestracci ’04. But junior Matt Thomas and senior Bobby Everett have been the leaders on defense for Harvard, racking up impressive numbers against both the pass and run. With Everett drawing many double teams, Thomas has had the space to put up impressive numbers—mounting up eight sacks and 75 tackles on the season. But Murphy credits Everett with leading the defense from the outside position while senior Sean Tracy will come up and play in the box on run situations or drop back and play safety in passing situations. Yale will have seniors Ben Breunig and Colin Harris playing linebacker in the 5-2, but they aren’t the same kind of big play threats that Everett and Thomas are. Breunig has led the Bulldogs on defense with 91 tackles on the season.
Advantage: Harvard
Defensive Backfield
This is a position where Harvard clearly has the edge, yet will be challenged by a formidable Yale receiving corps. The Harvard cornerbacks—senior Gary Sonkur, junior Keith Howell and sophomore Danny Tanner—rotate in and out. In addition, Harvard has played more man-to-man coverage with safety help as the year has gone on. Last week against Penn, with the Ivy championship on the line, Sonkur had an interception. Of course, fans who were at The Game last year will remember Sonkur’s interception return for a touchdown to seal the victory for Harvard. While Tracy will play up and back at safety, senior Ricky Williamson will also move around in different looks to try to confuse the Yale receiving corps. The new face of the Harvard secondary could be freshman Doug Hewlett, who has seen increased playing time and anchors a strong class of freshman defenders.
Throughout the season, Siedlecki’s secondary has been unable to stop opposing quarterbacks from throwing the ball downfield, as Brown’s Joe DiGiacomo, Cornell’s D.J. Busch and Penn’s Pat McDermott all were able to expose the Yale secondary on their way to defeating the Bulldogs. Look for senior Yale free safety Barton Simmons to help stop Dawson in run defense while senior cornerback Fred Jelks will probably try to shut down Brian Edwards.
Advantage: Harvard
Special Teams
No one in the Ivy League that has seen Brian Edwards return punts could deny that he is the best in the league and one of the best in Division I-AA. He will not fair-catch, so he is virtually always a threat to return every punt for a score. Henley has had an average season returning punts, but he has not taken one back for a touchdown. Edwards and junior Corey Waller will return kicks for Harvard. Edwards has also had success at kickoff returner, taking back one for a touchdown and averaging 27.5 yards per return. Carr will be Yale’s primary kick returner, but he does not possess the same kind of game-breaking speed and vision as Edwards. Freshman kicker Matt Schindel has done a nice job for the Crimson while sophomore punter Clem McDavid has performed well in the absence of injured junior Mike King. Senior Bulldog kicker Andrew Sullivan has had a difficult season for Yale, only making five of 11 field goals, but junior punter Tyson Crawford has a solid leg.
Advantage: Harvard
—Staff writer Robert C. Boutwell can be reached at boutwel@fas.harvard.edu.