Happy Harvard returns
Crimson roll over Lafayette
Fourteen seconds had elapsed in the second half of Harvard’s 38-10 nonconference victory over Lafayette yesterday when the strains of Aaron Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man” wafted across overcast Harvard Stadium.
In truth, there was nothing “common” about the way Harvard handled the Leopards, riding two special teams touchdowns on an 85-yard punt return by junior Justice Shelton Mosley and a 90-yard kickoff return to open the second half by junior Adam Scott.
“Our team played well across the board led by the special teams. We got so much energy out of the returns from our two playmakers, Justice Shelton Mosley and Adam Scott,’’ said Harvard coach Tim Murphy after improving to 14-2 against Lafayette. “We talked about the importance of this game and the kids took it to heart. . . . We weren’t sure if they were going to ‘house calls’ but those guys did a great job on those athletic returns.”
Harvard stopped Lafayette (2-5) on the first possession, and Shelton-Mosley returned the punt 85 yards down the right side, picking up a great block from Henry Taylor, to go the distance.
After Lafayette’s Sean O’Malley hit Rocco Palumbo for a 2-yard touchdown, the Crimson answered.
A more fluid-looking Harvard (3-2) unraveled the playbook with a reverse on the ensuing kick return, and freshman quarterback Jake Smith (7-of-12 passing for 80 yards) roamed loose. Junior Charlie Booker III (23 rushes for 159 yards, TD) had two big carries, including one of 16 yards down to the Lafayette 4-yard line. Shelton-Mosley scored off an end around on the next play.
The second quarter began with Lafayette punter Michael Turk putting great hang time on a punt to the Harvard 24. The Crimson advanced the ball into Leopards territory but miscommunication led to an easy interception by Leopards corner Phillip Parham.
Lafayette couldn’t muster a drive and Harvard took possession at its 48. That opened the door for Harvard, as a crucial pass interference call against Lafayette on third down gave Harvard four new cracks at paydirt. Booker stumbled over from a yard out on second down for the touchdown, as the Crimson went into halftime with a 21-7 lead.
Harvard began the second half with Scott dashing 90 yards down the right side, picking up a timely block by Shelton-Mosley near the Lafayette 40, to go all the way.
“Hats off to Harvard. They have a good football team. Obviously, the difference in the game were the two returns. That, and their ability to control the ball,” Lafayette coach John Garrett said.
Lafayette’s Jeffrey Kordenbrock and Harvard’s Jake McIntyre traded field goals in the third quarter of 33 and 37 yards, respectively, before Harvard’s Smith added a 1-yard touchdown run in the fourth to end the scoring.