On the other end of many of those throws has been junior wide receiver Kurt Ondash, who paces the conference with 15 receptions and 271 yards thus far. The receiver will pose this season’s toughest test yet for Hanson, a four-year starter at corner for the Crimson and one of the conference’s best defensive backs.

“Ondash is a really good receiver,” Hanson said. “I’ve been watching him on film a lot; he does a lot of things really well. I think I have a good read on him but we’ll see how it goes ... I’m going to be really aggressive come Saturday.”

After having the worst statistical offense in the league last season, Cornell is first in total offense behind Matthews and Ondash in 2010.

“Overall their offense is a lot better than last year,” Hanson said. “Their offensive line has really improved ... Jeff Matthews, watching him on film, he has a really strong arm, so he’s a dangerous weapon all around.”

The Big Red defense has also made strides since last season, when it was seventh in total defense. This year, Cornell ranks second in that category, as well as in scoring defense.

Senior linebacker Brandon Lainhart is tied for fifth in the Ancient Eight with 27 tackles, two behind Harvard’s leader, captain Alex Gedeon.

Cornell senior defensive end Zack Imhoff leads the Ivies with four sacks, and sophomore linebacker Brett Buehler paces the conference with six tackles for loss. That means Harvard’s young offensive line will have its hands full protecting Chapple.

If the quarterback is able to respond to the pressure—both literally and figuratively—and lead his team to a win, he will be continuing a stretch in which Harvard has largely dominated Cornell on the gridiron.

Harvard has lost to the Big Red just once in the past 11 years—a 27-13 defeat in 2005 —and has averaged 32 points per game in its five games since.

It’s a streak the Crimson has been working hard to ensure will continue tomorrow.

“Our preparation has been really good lately,” Hanson said. “We’re going to come out ready to go.”