Football Hopes Return Home Means Win

There's no place like home. There's no place like home.

At least that's what the Harvard football team is saying as it prepares to take the field tomorrow against the Lehigh Mountain Hawks in its home opener, looking to notch its first win of the season against a team it defeated 35-30 just one year ago.

"We're definitely happy to be home," junior linebacker Isaiah Kacyvenski said. "We love playing here, and we are coming out with something to prove."

Harvard (0-2, 0-1 Ivy) and Lehigh (3-0, 1-0 Patriot) come in to Saturday's contest headed in opposite directions. The Hawks arrive in Cambridge on the heels of a 31-24 overtime victory over Princeton last week at home.

"They are coming in undefeated at 3-0, and are playing really confidently," said junior quarterback Rich Linden. "But we're hungry for a win, and we're going to throw everything we've got at them."

The Crimson on the other hand, is winless two weeks into the season for the first time since 1958, after being routed for the second consecutive week, this time a 34-14 defeat at Colgate.

In last year's championship season, Harvard was untouchable at home, posting a perfect 5-0 record en route to the program's first perfect Ivy League record.

Thus far, however, the Crimson has looked like anything but defending champions. In the first week of the season Harvard traveled to New York to take on Ivy League foe Columbia, and suffered its first shutout defeat since 1994, losing at the hands of the Lions by the score of 24-0.

And then came the debacle against Colgate. Despite forcing the Red Raiders into seven turnovers starting four drives in Colgate territory, Harvard could muster only 14 points.

Much of the offensive troubles can be attributed to the absence of junior tailback Chris Menick--a First team All-Ivy selection last season--who sat with a broken thumb and a sprained ankle. Sophomore backup Chuck Nwokocha has done a decent job filling in, gaining 62 yards on 18 carries last week.

Menick, who led the Crimson in rushing last season with a school-record 1,267 yards, is probable for Saturday, and his anticipated return should provide a shot in the arm to the stagnant Crimson offense.

Also key will be the play of the offensive line. Linden has been effective when given time to throw this season, completing better than 50 percent of his passes for 243 yards. Junior flanker Terence Patterson (seven receptions, 50 yards) and sophomore split end Josh Wilske (seven receptions, 90 yards) have emerged as his favorite targets.

But Linden has received pressure in both losses this season, has been sacked a total of seven times, and has thrown four interceptions against one touchdown. The Crimson offense will look to establish consistency against a Lehigh defense that allows 221 yards passing per game.

"We've had a good week of practice," Linden said. "We're starting to get into a rhythm, and plays are looking a lot cleaner. I think that we'll have a different look tomorrow."

Harvard will face a tough and experienced Lehigh defense led by senior defensive linemen David Merrifield and Nick Martucci--both four-year starters. The solid linebacking corps is anchored junior Ian Eason, who has registered over 100 tackles in each of his first two seasons. And the Hawks also boast an experienced and athletic secondary.

"They return a lot of guys we saw last year on defense," Linden said. "Martucci is a great defensive end, and their secondary is very experienced and really fast."

Having to face the strong Hawks defensive front, it is imperative that the O-line stand its ground for Menick and Nwokocha. Lehigh defends exceptionally well against the run, limiting opponents to 2.3 rushing yards per carry.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Crimson will also have to show some improvement against the Hawks. Harvard has given up a total of 414 yards on the ground over its first two games, and an additional 318 in the air, while allowing 58 points.

While those numbers aren't encouraging, the Crimson defense has forced ten turnovers this season and showed signs of improvement against an explosive Colgate offense, containing the Raiders' option attack for three quarters.

And the defense will have to continue to improve, as it will have its hands full against the potent Lehigh offense. The Hawks send senior All-Patriot League quarterback Phil Stambaugh, who has 800 yards and five touchdowns in three games, against Harvard.

Lehigh also boasts a solid group of receivers led by senior Deron Braswell--also an All-League selection--who has 245 yards receiving on the year. Senior Joe Falzone and junior Kody Fedorcha, who combined for over 100 receptions last season, also provide targets for Stambaugh.

Senior running back Brian Baker provides the running threat for the Hawks, averaging over 100 rushing yards per game.

"They have a real good quarterback with a strong arm," Kacyvenski said. "And they have a nice corps of receivers. Braswell is a great player, and their back, Baker, is a fast and tough running back."

With threats at all of the skill positions the Crimson will have to be ready for the Lehigh attack from any player at any time.

"We aren't focusing on any one player on their team," Kacyvenski said. "We are just going to go out there and play our usual attacking style of defense."

The Crimson defense is led by defensive lineman and two-time captain Brendan Bibro and Kacyvenski.

Bibro and the rest of the defensive front must put pressure on the quarterback, something Harvard has been unable to do thus far, as it has totaled only two sacks on the season. Stambaugh has thrown four interceptions, so if the Crimson can generate a pass rush a few pick-offs could come its way.

Tomorrow's game against Lehigh is a must-win for the Crimson. While a loss against the non-conference Hawks would not affect the Ivy standings, a 0-3 start would be a demoralizing blow to the defending champions.

"We definitely did not expect to be 0-2 at this point," Kacyvenski said. "We really need a win, so we're just taking it one game at a time. Right now the biggest thing in the world for us is the Lehigh game."