Photo: Dave Silverman
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - Tim Murphy, the Thomas
Stephenson Family Head Coach for Harvard Football, recently took
part in the Ivy League's weekly teleconference. Below are his
quotes from the event.
Additionally, coach Murphy will give more insight into his
Crimson as he takes part in the weekly New England Football
Writers' Association Luncheon Wednesday afternoon at Harvard's
Dillon Field House.
The event - the nation's oldest weekly football media gathering,
now entering its 81st season - begins at noon and
features head coaches, players and administrators from around the
region from all levels of NCAA competition. For the first time,
this year's event will be streamed live via the web on
GoCrimson.com.
Fans can login to Harvard's Multimedia section of the website to
watch the streams. Recaps of the event will be posted in the
afternoon and will be sent to media and area schools as well. Local
fans can do even better as the event is open to the public for a
fee of $10 per person.
Each school's coach/administrator will speak briefly about his
team's last game, a preview up the upcoming games and an assessment
of his team's top players. Additionally, the weekly Gold Helmet
Award is given to the preceding week's top players. The award is
sponsored by the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston and the weekly
winners - one from Divisions I and one from Divisions II/III - are
presented with a plaque.
Tim Murphy Quotes from the weekly Ivy League Teleconference
Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009
Harvard Head Coach Tim Murphy opening
statement:
We had a very solid road win against Cornell. It was our second
long trip back-to-back with Lehigh included. Our kids responded
with a lot of energy and maturity. We got balanced output and
all-in-all played a very solid game.
On the impact of freshman Treavor Scales at running
back:
Anytime that you have a freshman getting sign time and
playing at a high level, you're happy as a coach. Treavor's a tough
kid, smart and very elusive. He gives a nice dimension
On earning his 100th career victory on the
Harvard sidelines:
It means I'm not a kid anymore certainly. We're in "human
resources" industry (as coaches), and it just means that you've
been surrounded by a lot of quality players and outstanding
assistant coaches. We now have former assistant coaches in the
National Football League, the SEC, ACC, Big East and they all
contributed to those victories.
On the impact of Collier Winters at
quarterback:
"I think Collier's been very effective. Like a lot of young
quarterbacks it has changed from game to game. He's a very tough
kid. We were more run oriented in our game plan against Cornell and
Lehigh but now that we know we can run a balanced offense, we can
take advantage of all his skills. When he's needed to, he's played
very well.
On keys to the Lafayette Game:
The biggest key is turnover ratio. It's something we've done a good
job with in the past. We've had three total turnovers in the first
four games and that's solid with a young QB. Our defense has
started to put more pressure on teams as well. If we take care of
the football were going to be in good shape. Our special teams have
improved in that area progress, I think that's helped us early in
the season.
On Harvard's 41-1 Record While Leading at Halftime and
the keys to maintaining halftime leads:
I'm not sure that I have anything original to add on that
statistic. When you have a lead, you still have to make adjustments
or you're not going to maintain that lead in the fourth quarter.
It's all about players, we've had good players and we've been a
good finishing team. We talk about that a lot with our players and
coaches. When we get in the fourth quarter, we're going to find a
way to finish well to protect leads.
On Harvard's success in running the ball:
It (the running game) works both ways. If you look at the best
teams at any level, they can stop the run on defense and they can
run the ball. You have to do those things. If you can do that, you
feel like you are a solid football team.
