Phil Scherrer '02 executes a big second-half tackle, bringing down Penn quarterback Gavin Hoffman. Harvard beat Penn, 28-21, in the Nov. 10 game. (Staff photos by Rose Lincoln)

HARVARD GAZETTE ARCHIVES

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then the University of Penn - one of the best defensive teams in the nation - must have been absolutely smitten with Harvard's performance last Saturday at the stadium. In one stretch of the final quarter, Penn (7-1, Ivy 5-1) was subject to two consecutive sacks by seniors Eric LaHaie and Andy Fried, and a blocked punt by Rodney Thomas '02. The Crimson stops spoiled any hopes of a Quaker comeback - while assuring the eventual 28-21 Harvard victory. Throw in senior Willie Alford's '02 interception - the lone pick-off of the day - and its clear to see that Penn's D was in some pretty good company.

Harvard (8-0, Ivy 6-0) was hardly a shoo-in in this Ivy League showdown, however: Coach Tim Murphy's team witnessed a frighteningly efficient Penn team march 141 yards to a 14-0 first quarter lead. Yet early in the second quarter, an apparently fed-up Neil Rose '02 conducted a 13-play 77-yard drive, capped by a one-yard touchdown run from tailback Nick Palazzo '03. Palazzo led the Crimson ground campaign with 88 yards. The half closed with the Quakers up 14-7.

In the third quarter, the Rose and Carl Morris '02 show took center stage. The duo combined for 82 yards and two touchdowns, sparking a 21-14 Harvard turn-round. Morris busted several school records in the process, including single-season and career receptions (66 and 150, respectively), and season TD receptions with 10.

A prophetic Carl Morris '03 celebrates - flashing a number one sign after one of his two touchdowns, to the delight of 14,818 at Harvard Stadium.

Thomas' fourth quarter blocked punt - a blessed event not seen in two seasons - set up Harvard's last scoring drive, a 30-yard pass from Rose to a seriously open Josh Staph '02, who back-peddled his way into the end zone. The Staph score, his first aerial TD of the year, put the Crimson up 28-14 with over 8 minutes remaining.

The Quakers cut the lead to 28-21 on a quick two-play scoring drive. Yet in recovering Penn's on-side kick, and through some good game-clock management, the Crimson clamp-down continued, ensuring the Harvard touchdown advantage.

Harvard's win against the Quakers, the team's first since 1997, guarantees the Crimson at least a share of the Ivy title. And with Yale on deck, "the Game," next Saturday, Nov. 17, in New Haven, takes on a double meaning as Harvard looks to secure not only the outright Ivy League title, but its first undefeated, untied season in 88 years.

Copyright 2002 by the President and Fellows of Harvard College