While the Harvard offense couldn’t get anything going for much of the game, the defense more than picked up the slack, forcing four turnovers, all fumbles by Pujals.

On the first Holy Cross possession of the second half, junior defensive end Zach Hodges continued to make his presence felt up front. Hodges beat his blocker, got to Pujals, and hit him from behind, forcing a fumble that was picked up by sophomore linebacker Eric Medes in the end zone for the score.

The play, which put Harvard up 14-7, gave the Crimson defense a touchdown for the third straight week. Just a few plays later, senior linebacker Matt Martindale broke through the line untouched and forced yet another Pujals fumble.

Although the Crimson failed to take advantage of two fumbles, the team made Holy Cross pay after senior defensive end Nnamdi Obukwelu applied a big hit to force a fumble late in the first quarter. Four plays later, junior running back Andrew Casten capped a 33-yard touchdown drive by bullying his way up the middle through defenders into the end zone for the first score of the game.

Holy Cross responded in turn in the second quarter when Pujals found wide receiver Mike Fess running a fade route in the corner of the end zone to tie the game at seven. Pujals would finish with 345 yards through the air.

“When the play would break down, he just seemed to have it today,” captain Joshua Boyd said. “It’s unbelievable as a freshman to have that kind of poise. He made some great plays today.”

The Harvard special teams unit also made its presence felt early in the game. On the Crusaders’ opening drive, senior defensive back Norman Hayes came flying through the line to block a punt, which bounced back into Holy Cross territory.

But the Crimson didn’t take advantage. Three plays later, Hempel threw an interception after scrambling to his right.

—Staff writer David Steinbach can be reached at david.steinbach@thecrimson.com.