According to Dick Friedman ’73, who covers the Crimson for Harvard Magazine and is writing a book on Harvard football in the early 20th century, much of the era’s dominance can be attributed to an athletic collection of 1912 sophomores known as the “group of seven.” Led by coach Percy Haughton, whom Friedman dubs a “football genius,” the Crimson earned national championships in 1910, 1912, and 1913.

“Harvard had more depth and more talent,” Friedman said. “They would just wear teams down, especially the smaller schools that came in…. [The seasons] are unfortunately forgotten, but they really were brilliant teams.”

ONE MORE SHOT AT THE PRIZE

The Crimson had to wait 88 years for another untarnished campaign, which a Murphy-led squad finally accomplished in 2001. Perfection would occur once more in 2004. A decade has passed, and the Crimson now has another opportunity to maybe, just maybe, go undefeated one more time.

The long 20th century demonstrated just how elusive sustained success can be, but the Harvard football program has hit its stride under Murphy. Sixty minutes is all that stands between the coach and his third undefeated, untied season at the helm of the Crimson.

“It’s a remarkable accomplishment,” Murphy said. “It’s something you can never take for granted because it’s so extraordinarily rare.”

No one knows exactly what to expect on Saturday. But if you’re a Harvard football player or a member of the Crimson faithful, you’ll be hoping for one thing—that at the end of the day, the result will indeed have been historic.

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