PREVIEW: Can't Touch This

After regaining control of its championship destiny last weekend, the No. 18 Harvard football team (6-1-0, 3-1-0 Ivy) looks to continue its torrid display on defense against the Lions of Columbia (3-4-0, 0-4-0 Ivy) this Saturday at 12:30 p.m. at Harvard Stadium.

Responding well from its heartbreaking defeat two weeks ago at Princeton, the Crimson defense stepped up and shut out the Dartmouth offense last Saturday, accumulating four sacks and holding the Big Green passing game to only 98 yards through the air.

“After [the Princeton game], we had a really focused, passionate week of practice,” Harvard coach Tim Murphy said. “We took care of business, so to speak, in a very solid way in all aspects.”

Thanks to Cornell’s upset victory against the Tigers last week, the Crimson can claim at least a share of the league title by winning its last three games.

Standing in its way is a reeling Lions squad. First-year head coach Norries Wilson showcased his aggressive defensive tactics early in the year, winning three of his first four games. Since then, however, the traditionally stagnant Columbia football program has been brought back down to earth, losing four in a row in league play while only averaging four points in each game.

Despite the statistical shortcomings, Columbia still boasts a surprisingly strong defense, holding its opponents to an average of 14.9 points per game.

“This is a different Columbia team,” Murphy said. “They’re either No. 1 or 2 in most defensive categories in our league, which would make them the most improved defensive team in America, at any level.”

Sparked by a healthy blend of veteran leadership and young energy, the Lions have recorded 10 interceptions this season and lead the Ivy League in turnover margin at 1.0 per game. They also rank first in pass defense, holding opponents to only 149 yards per contest. Fueled by the play of first-year defensive back Andy Shalbrack, who is tied in Division I-AA for interceptions by a rookie with three, the Lions present a dangerous trap game for the Crimson.

“Although the season is winding down, we can’t get caught looking ahead,” said senior running back Clifton Dawson. “Coach Murphy has done a great job of keeping us focused on only Columbia. All week, we’ve looked at this weekend as a championship game.”

And while Harvard will certainly look to its defense to once again establish a dominating tone for the game, the Crimson offense will be called upon to make plays of its own. After regaining the starting quarterback job against the Big Green, junior Liam O’Hagan shook off any remaining rust and had an efficient performance against Dartmouth. He went 9-for-13 with 121 yards and a touchdown, and his performance—while not exactly an offensive explosion—was mistake-free.

“Liam brings so much to our offense,” Dawson said. “He brings vocal leadership, which we missed. The things he can do out of the pocket are really exciting. The potential for a big play is always there with him; it definitely keeps everyone on their toes.”

The Crimson offense, first in the Ivy League in scoring at 31 points per game, has also benefited from the extremely consistent performance of its rushing attack, which averages 175 yards per game. After nearly equaling that average with 174 rushing yards last weekend, Dawson now stands within reach of tying the all-time Ivy League rushing record currently held by Cornell’s Ed Marinaro. While the 173 yards he needs may seem daunting, the Columbia rush defense, while markedly improved, still has its holes.

Though the individual performances of veterans like senior linebacker Tad Crawford have been stellar, the Lions are allowing nearly 141 yards on the ground this season.

“[Breaking the Ivy League record] is not something I think about,” Dawson said. “Columbia’s a great defense, and it’s going to be hard just scoring points on them. If the record is broken, then that’s great, but the focus is still on just winning the game.”

With big games on the horizon against Penn and the New Havenites in the coming weeks, the Crimson must focus on ensuring that its path towards a second Ivy League championship in three years doesn’t get unexpectedly derailed.

“Columbia is well coached,” Murphy said. “I think that their morale has never been higher. They’ve been in every single game, and we’re going to have a tough game, legitimately.”