With Harvard’s offense sputtering early on, the defense largely kept the team in the game. The Big Red failed to convert a first down until its last drive before halftime, which ended when junior linebacker Eric Medes caught a tipped pass to pick off Jatis.

TURNOVER CITY

Even with a struggling offense, senior punter David Bicknell got quite a bit of rest, as the majority of Harvard’s first-half drives ended in a turnover.  Troubles began early for the Crimson—on Harvard’s first offensive play of the game, Hosch’s pass was snagged by Big Red defensive lineman Justin Harris.

The senior lineman made another play two drives later, when Harris hit Hosch on a scramble to force a fumble.

Whether the weather played a factor or not, the Crimson wideouts had trouble hanging onto the ball in the first half. Harvard finally entered Cornell territory for the first time when Hosch connected with freshman tight end Jack Stansell on a 17-yard pass, but Stansell coughed up the ball to end the drive. Hosch ended the half with two picks.

The Crimson’s final turnover came late in the fourth quarter, on the only drive of the half that didn’t end in points. Senior running back Andrew Casten lost the ball deep in Harvard territory to set up Cornell’s only scoring drive.

—Staff writer Samantha Lin can be reached at samantha.lin@thecrimson.com. Follow her on Twitter @Linsamnity.