“I would say I don’t think they have a single lynchpin,” Hager said. “They are so multifaceted that you need to be disciplined in all portions of the game.”

And though Ezekiel will obviously play a vital role in any successful Husky effort, Hager said that each down will be decided before the ball is even snapped.

“We’ve got to stay one step ahead of the play calling,” Hager said. “They get Dawson running the ball and my goodness he can beat you by himself. And Fitzpatrick can beat you running or throwing.”

Though Hager said he wouldn’t commit Ezekiel exclusively to marking Fitzpatrick because that would be too predictable and his defense would be left vulnerable, the Northeastern coach left little doubt that stopping Fitzpatrick, even more than Dawson, would likely be the key to victory.

“Fitzpatrick is a very special player,” Hager said. “When he gets outside the pocket he is absolutely lethal.”

—Staff writer Timothy J. McGinn can be reached at mcginn@fas.harvard.edu.