He is one of three seniors in the squad’s starting linebacker corps, including captain Matt Koran and senior Eric Medes.

“Really, all three of us have had significant reps,” Lindsey said. “It makes it a lot easier just as a unit where we all trust each other, and we’ve played with each other for the last 12 games…. We can go around making plays as needed.”

Partly led by Lindsey, the defensive unit has allowed an average of just 344 yards and 18.5 points per game this season.

And Harvard’s strong defense is balanced by its prowess on the offensive side of the ball, where it has averaged 455 yards and 47 points in its first two contests.

“Our defense is by far one of the best defenses in the Ivy League, if not in the nation,” senior defensive back Asante Gibson said.

“We have the potential to do a lot more than we’ve shown. We have to keep working hard and playing as a team. When we start playing as individuals, we’ll mess up. As soon as we start playing as a team, we’re good to go,” he added.

For Lindsey, these defensive expectations are nothing new.

The senior linebacker has been an integral part of the defense over the last four years, racking up 130 total tackles despite missing seven games in the 2013 season.

Last season, he led the Crimson with 63 tackles and was selected for the All-Ivy second team.

Not counting the season in which he played in less than half the games, Lindsey has averaged over five tackles a game since his freshman year.

However, last Saturday’s scoop-and-score was the first fumble recovery of his career.

“We’ve had great leadership,” Harvard coach Tim Murphy said. “Our coaches have done a tremendous job.... But anytime you have seven starters back on a quality unit, you expect good things.”