But Minamide was just as impressed with the performance of his younger teammates.

“At least from a defensive secondary point of view, the young guys are doing a great job,” he said. “I’m definitely proud of how hard they work...We saw a lot of guys step up.”

Minamide noted that rookie corner Jaren Wilson has stood out this spring.

“He’s had to step up in just a huge way,” Minamide said. “He’s a really confident player. He’s still learning all the different parts, but he is doing a great job, and he is going to be a great player some day.”

Meanwhile, Minamide said that freshmen Rey Kirton had emerged as a leader from the safety position, and noted that Loftus and rookie linebacker Danny Frate have also stepped up.

“I think safeties have a little more responsibility,” Minamide said. “Rey’s done a great job in terms of learning...Also, Connor Loftus and Danny Frate: those two guys are doing an awesome job. They’re just flying.”

The offensive unit was similarly filled with young athletes—with returning-starter Chrissis one of the few exceptions—but at least two of the faces, sophomore running back Rich Zajeski and Chapple, were familiar.

Zajeski emerged as Harvard’s third-string back last fall, while injuries prompted Chapple to start three straight games, all of which were wins.

With rising fifth-year senior Collier Winters gone for the semester, Chapple has been taking all of the snaps with the first-team offense all spring.

“He’s been doing a really good job,” Minamide said. “People are starting to follow him and view him as a leader.”

Also taking snaps on Saturday were freshmen Michael Pruneau and Cory Briggs, who combined for five completions. Pruneau impressed on one play where he faked a handoff to freshman Damani Wilson before sprinting for a first down.

“Mike’s a really good athlete,” Gedeon said. “That’s going to be an asset: his ability to get out of the pocket and extend plays with his feet.”

—Staff writer Christina C. McClintock can be reached at ccmcclin@fas.harvard.edu.