Winters leads balance Harvard attack in first season as starter

In a season when most of the Ivy League has been developing new quarterbacks, Harvard is no exception with its quarterback Collier Winters. Raised in Oklahoma, Winters comes from a football background, as his dad played for Kansas State. Making his own mark at Booker T. Washington High School, Winters was a two-time all-state selection and set almost every passing record while in high school. Upon arriving at Harvard, Winters was impressive enough to play in six games as a freshman. However, Winters had a disappointing sophomore year, missing the entire season due to injury. Now a junior, Winters has finally earned the starting role and has performed well thus far.

For the season, Winters has thrown for 1,301 yards in seven games and has notched 11 touchdowns versus five picks. One game in particular that displayed his potential came in Harvard’s second-week matchup against the defending Ivy League Co-Champion Brown. There, Winters orchestrated a brilliant display, completing 67 percent of his passes and throwing for 223 yards and two touchdowns against the tenacious Bears defense in a 24-21 victory for the Crimson.

As a player, Harvard coach Tim Murphy says that Winters “is a very tough kid” and that “he’s smart and very good under pressure.” Murphy says that initial games were more run-oriented to simplify things for Winters, but that Harvard now has opened up the playbook for him.

However, despite Winters’ ability to lead the offense, Murphy still uses Winters more as a game manager.

“Ball security is by far our biggest emphasis,” Murphy said. “We don’t talk about anything else on offense.”

Staying true to this plan, although the Crimson often line up in the spread, the focus of Harvard’s offense is on its running game. Harvard’s three running backs, Gino Gordon, Treavor Scales, and Cheng Ho, all frequently carry the ball, already accumulating over 1,000 yards between them to form the league’s leading rushing attack.

One way Winters manages the game comes in his ability to avoid sacks. Winters has been sacked just 16 times this season, which reduces the number of third and longs Harvard has to complete. Part of his ability to remain upright stems from his ability to maneuver around the pocket. In addition, his offensive line provides excellent pass protection for him.

“The offensive line is the strength of our offense,” Murphy said. Murphy has particularly high praises for possible NFL prospect James Williams.
This week versus the Lions, Winters will be asked to throw a fair amount, but the Crimson again will rely on its three-headed rushing attack. When Winters is asked to drop back, the Lions will need to find a way to generate pressure. If Lou Miller (coming off a dominant performance against Yale) and the Columbia defense can do this, then the Light Blue can halt the Crimson aerial show.