The cycle of life spins so fast in college football and ends so suddenly. You must grow from loss or be consumed by it.

Murphy has been able to channel the inevitable defeats and disappointments a college program endures into motivation and victories. His team has won all but four games over the last three years, but Harvard has a lot of loss on its side.

Hayes’ grief and inner strength is incomparable, but there is also the quarterback who understands the value of each start, the defensive end looking to do right by those who came before him, and the coach who sees how easily he could lose what he has built.

The whole team also has two close defeats to Princeton motivating it. Just ask senior kicker Andrew Flesher how powerful those moments are after he missed a potential game-winner last year.

Defending champions and long-time winners are sometimes wanting for hunger. Fortunately for the Crimson, Harvard players and coaches have lost plenty.

—Staff writer Jacob D. H. Feldman can be reached at jacob.feldman@thecrimson.com. Follow him on Twitter @jacobfeldman4.