The main focus on the Crimson sideline heading into the annual showdown will be consistency. Fueled by a strong Hempel performance and the return of senior tight end Cam Brate, who caught the first touchdown against the Quakers last Saturday, Harvard held a 38-point lead early in the third quarter.

But things went downhill from there. The Crimson did not convert a first down on its final five drives and allowed 30 straight Penn points in what was nearly the biggest comeback in college football history.

“We really took it to Penn [in the first half], but we kind of took the foot off the pedal a little bit,” Brate said. “That’s something that we definitely can’t do this week in the Yale game. Momentum, once you lose it, it is hard to get back.”

Harvard has dominated The Game’s recent history, having won 11 of the past 12 contests. The Crimson will look to extend a six-game winning streak over its longtime rivals in front of a packed house on Saturday.

But history has also shown it won’t be easy. And that’s been the theme of Harvard’s season. When players have gone down to injury, others have stepped up to shoulder a bigger load.

“Usually we’re at 8-1 at Harvard going to New Haven, and we’re rolling,” Murphy said. “We’re not rolling. We’re just a really tough team. I’ll take that any day.”

Indeed, the Crimson will need another team effort in New Haven if its 36 seniors are to end their careers on a high note.

“Beating Yale is always beautiful,” said senior defensive back D.J. Monroe. “The glory of going out on top, winning my last game, would be a memory I [would] have for a lifetime.”

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