“I couldn’t have done that without the [second-team] O-line, obviously,” Taylor said. “And Cam Bohn played incredibly well. It was easy for me to run based off his play.”
The Crimson sports a couple other slashers. In 2016, freshman Lavance Northington emerged as a regular-down back, and he started Saturday for the first team. In the past, Harvard has also lined up sophomore Adam Scott in multiple positions.
“We run a lot of motions,” Taylor said. “If you have a guy who can come out of the backfield and line up in the slot and run a couple routes, it puts the defense at a disadvantage.”
Yet the Crimson also develops more traditional backs. Although he didn’t play in the Spring Game, junior Semar Smith led the program in rushing last year. And sophomore Noah Reimers fits the more classic profile of a heavyset, grit-and-grind rusher.
As it turns out, you can teach an old dog new tricks: On Saturday, Reimers scored one touchdown—on a reception by the left pylon.
JUSTICE NEVER SLEEPS
A lot changes between football seasons. Players graduate, schemes shift, and rookies age into veterans.
For the past two years, though, at least one constant has survived—the talent of Justice Shelton-Mosley.
In 2015, Shelton-Mosley won Ivy League Rookie of the Year after averaging 114 total yards per game. In 2016, he was a unanimous selection to the All-Ivy first team after topping the team with 71 receiving yards per game. Next season, he will return as a junior to continue that success but also take on new leadership duties.
According to Hutton, he’s not doing half-badly.
“We know he has the physical tools,” the captain said. “What’s been really impressive this offseason is his taking the next step and becoming a leader…. He’s a guy that other guys will follow.”
On Saturday, the wide receiver certainly played a large role. He returned all kicks. Early in the night, he nearly took a kickoff for a touchdown, but thanks to limited-contact rules, a light graze stopped him.
Shelton-Mosley is only part of an athletic receiving corps. Scott was a revelation last season, emerging from injured anonymity to average 64 receiving yards per game. And speedy youngster Cody Chrest (freshman) waits in the wings.
Murphy has not formally named a starting quarterback—as Hutton emphasized, competition will run through the summer. But whoever that final starter is, he will have some impressive weapons at his disposal.
—Staff writer Sam Danello can be reached at sam.danello@thecrimson.com.