PRINCETON, N.J. – No. 9 Harvard (eight), Cornell (four) and Yale (four) each extended their win streaks, while Dartmouth bounced back to improve to 6-2 overall with a strong performance in Week 8 of the Ivy League football season.
Harvard remains one of only five unbeaten teams in the FCS at 8-0 overall. The Crimson sit atop the Ivy League standings with a 5-0 record, while Yale trails closely at 4-1 as the race for the league’s first-ever automatic bid to the FCS playoffs heats up.
Next weekend, Harvard welcomes Penn – one of three teams tied for third at 3-2 – while Yale visits Princeton. The two rivals will then meet in the 141st playing of The Game in New Haven on Nov. 22, airing nationally on ESPNU.
NO. 9 HARVARD 31, COLUMBIA 14
7 p.m. // New York, N.Y. // Robert K. Kraft Field at Lawrence A. Wien Stadium
- Harvard (8-0, 5-0 Ivy) remained unbeaten with a 31–14 win over Columbia (1-7, 0-5 Ivy). All eight of Harvard’s victories this season have come by at least three possessions.
- Harvard quarterback Jaden Craig completed 16 of 25 passes for 213 yards and two touchdowns, both to Seamus Gilmartin, who recorded multiple touchdown catches for the second straight game.
- Running back Xaviah Bascon led Harvard’s ground attack with 94 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries.
- Harvard forced two interceptions — one by Sean Line, who led the team with eight tackles, and another by Jack Donahoe, who returned his pick 24 yards to the Columbia 2-yard line to set up a short touchdown.
- Columbia receiver Titus Evans hauled in both of Columbia’s touchdowns.
RV YALE 34, BROWN 22
12 p.m. // Providence, R.I. // Richard Gouse Field at Brown Stadium
- Yale (6-2, 4-1 Ivy) won its fourth consecutive game with a 34-22 win over Brown (3-5, 0-5 Ivy). During the stretch, Yale has outscored its opponents 140-49.
- Running back Josh Pitsenberger – who entered the contest ranking fourth in the FCS in rushing yards per game – had his sixth 100-yard rushing effort of the season. The Bethesda, Md., native rushed for 173 yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries. On the first play from scrimmage, Pitsenberger broke free for a 62-yard touchdown.
- QB Dante Reno completed 20 of 28 passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns, both to WR Nico Brown, who finished with six catches for 103 yards. Brown’s nine receiving touchdowns are tied for the Ivy League lead.
- Brown receiver Trevor Foley had six receptions for 145 yards – both career highs.
RV DARTMOUTH 20, PRINCETON 17
1 p.m. // Hanover, N.H. // Buddy Teevens Stadium at Memorial Field
- Dartmouth (6-2, 3-2 Ivy) rebounded with a 20-17 win over Princeton (3-5, 2-3 Ivy). Big Green quarterback Grayson Saunier was efficient, completing 12 of 15 passes for 152 yards and a touchdown while adding 25 rushing yards and another score. His 10 rushing touchdowns this season rank second in the league.
- Running back D.J. Crowther rushed 20 times for 96 yards and one touchdown.
- Tight end Chris Corbo had four catches for 66 yards and a touchdown. One of the top FCS NFL Draft prospects, he entered the contest ranked fifth in the FCS among tight ends in receiving yards per game.
- Princeton receiver Josh Robinson caught eight passes for 70 yards and now holds program freshman records for both receptions (34) and receiving yards (388).
CORNELL 39, PENN 17
1 p.m. // Philadelphia, Pa. // Franklin Field
- Cornell (4-4, 3-2 Ivy) continued its midseason surge with a 39-17 victory over Penn (5-3, 3-2 Ivy), marking the Big Red’s first four-game win streak since 1999.
- Cornell quarterback Garrett Bass-Sulpizio piled up 294 yards of total offense and two touchdowns. His top target was TJ Hamilton, who had five catches for 123 yards.
- Running back Gannon Carothers found the end zone twice on just five carries.
- Defensive lineman James Reinbold had five tackles, including a sack, and forced a fumble.
- Penn running back Donte West rushed for 125 yards on 15 attempts, highlighted by a 75-yard touchdown run.