Harvard can only benefit from the different looks out of the backfield. When Stanton returns, it’s possible that Murphy will lean on Casten in short-yardage situations.

But Friday also demonstrated Casten’s ability to break loose for a big gain early in the fourth quarter. Thanks to a hole created by blockers up front, Casten burst through the line and made his way to the left sideline, along which he ran furiously until a defender brought him down.

The play totaled 52 yards. By contrast, the longest run of the 2013 season for Casten went for a mere 12.

“The [offensive line] blew the guys off the ball,” Casten said. “I don’t know if the safety wasn’t coming up, but I somehow made him miss and was chugging along down the sideline. [Stanton] would have scored there.”

Stanton remains questionable for this Saturday, so it’s possible that Casten will receive another start in an Ivy League game against Brown. Regardless of whose name is called, the Crimson will hope to see more of the same from its backfield.

“Our offense starts with the front line, and those guys were outstanding [Friday], in my opinion,” Hempel said. “Casten just did a great job hitting the holes, making people miss.”

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