The Harvard Crimson are gunning to extend their 14-game win streak, which they started way back in 2013. Fresh off winning their third-straight Ivy League title last season, the Crimson now eye to make it four in a row when they start their 2015 campaign on the road against the Rhode Island Rams.
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It doesn’t take a Harvard student to figure out that the Crimson are the team to beat in the Ivy League. After emerging unscathed last season, Harvard opens up its 2015 campaign on the road to face Rhode Island.
[sc:NCAA240banner ]Based on the Crimson’s 5-0 SU record away from Harvard Stadium last season, it’s safe to say that they won’t be undeterred playing in enemy territory come September 19. After all, Harvard had an astounding winning margin average of 20.4 points in those road games. Furthermore, watching Rhode Island get shattered into pieces by Syracuse on September 4 should only pump up Harvard’s confidence level.
Like Syracuse, the Crimson intend to administer the same kind of defensive treatment to Rhode Island. Harvard was among the best defensive teams in the FCS last season, as it ranked third in total defense (3,065 total yards allowed), 28th in passing defense (2,197 yards), and first against the run (868 yards). With seven returning starters on the defensive unit, including Harvard’s top three tacklers in Jacob Lindsey (63 tackles), Eric Medes (61), and Matt Koran (60), the Crimson may just be as difficult to deal with on defense.
There’s talent on the offensive side of the ball, too. Running back Paul Stanton, who paced the team last season with 990 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns, could sting Rhode Island’s defense that let the Orange compile 312 yards on the ground early this month. Scott Hosch, meanwhile, will take care of the passing game. Hosch passed for 1,428 yards and eight touchdowns a season ago.
He’ll be looking to hook up with wide receiver Andrew Fischer (677 receiving yards, four TDs last season) and tight end Anthony Firkser (485 yards, four TDs) against Syracuse.
After opening the season with a pair of road games, the Rams are finally going to get their first match at home when they host Harvard for their third tilt of the year.
Rhode Island breaks in 18 starters this season, all of whom the Rams are hoping will help turn around an ailing program that hasn’t finished with a winning record since 2001. Unfortunately for the Rams, though, whatever measure of confidence they had in the preseason was reduced to a pulp following a numbing 47-0 loss to Syracuse in Week 1.
Against a far superior Orange team, Rhode Island’s inept offense and defense were in full view to everyone. As mentioned earlier, the Rams’ defense was simply helpless in the Syracuse game, allowing the Orange to have the possession of the ball for more than 40 minutes. Consequently, the Rams weren’t able to cobble together a meaningful drive on offense with just two first downs. The Rams also committed four turnovers.
The Rams were particularly despicable in stopping Syracuse’s rushing game, and that’s something they will have to improve on against Harvard. Key for the Orange is to bottle up Harvard’s running back Paul Stanton, who is the Crimson’s most dangerous player on offense.
On the flipside, Rhode Island will lean on dual-threat quarterback Paul Mroz, who threw for 60 yards on 10 of 20 passing with an interception, while rushing for 11 yards on five carries in the Syracuse game.
