PRINCETON – The Princeton Tigers (3-3, 2-1 Ivy) were taken down by the visiting 14th-ranked Harvard Crimson (6-0, 3-0 Ivy), 35-14.
College football is a sport full of tradition, pageantry, and, of course, rivalries. From “The Game” between Michigan and Ohio State to Army vs Navy, these rivalries are what fuel the greatest sport in the country. At the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level, Harvard and Princeton projected the same intensity and liveliness that those other rivalries show.
The 117th edition of one of the Ivy League’s most historic feuds returned Saturday in what was a picture-perfect fall afternoon. Coming off a victory on the road vs Brown last weekend, the Tigers came back to Princeton Stadium to celebrate Homecoming in front of a tremendous home environment. Having won six of the previous seven contests versus the ranked Crimson, the Tigers wanted a statement victory.
Defensively, Princeton had to contain one of the FCS’s most prolific offenses, as Harvard entered Saturday averaging an incredible 44.8 points per game. Much of the Crimson’s scoring ability can be attributed in large part to former Seton Hall Prep quarterback Jaden Craig. The senior entered the season as a projected All-American and one of the top signal-callers at the FCS level and possibly all of college football.
Early on, Craig proved why he is one of the best in the nation. In the first quarter, Craig unleashed a 69-yard touchdown pass to senior receiver Cam Henry to make it 7-0 with 10:37 to go in the quarter.
It wouldn’t be a long wait for the Tigers to respond, however, as Princeton would find the endzone near the end of the first. Princeton quarterback Kai Colon answered with a touchdown pass of his own, finding receiver Aidan Besselman with 1:27 to go in the first.
The second quarter on Saturday was a solid frame for the Tigers. Even while down 10-7 following a Harvard field goal, Princeton’s defense made some tremendous plays, highlighted by what occurred with 4:34 left in the second. Princeton cornerback Evan Haynie picked off Craig and set the Tigers up with good field position.
Shortly after, Princeton running back Ethan Clark made light work of the Harvard defense and dashed for a 51-yard receiving touchdown. With 3:50 left in the first half, Princeton took a surprising 14-10 lead over one of the FCS’s best teams.
But after another Harvard field goal, the Crimson answered with big plays of their own. Harvard linebacker Jack Kirkwood intercepted Colon late in the second, which was followed by a Xaviah Bascon rushing touchdown with 18 seconds remaining. After one half of play, it was 21-14 in favor of Harvard.
To give credit to Princeton’s defense, a unit that had been allowing 27.8 points per game entering Saturday, they shut down Harvard’s incredible offense in the third quarter. Unfortunately for Princeton, a nine-plus-minute drive from the visiting Crimson wore out the Tigers’ defense.
The methodical drive from Harvard would result in an Isaiah Bullock one-yard score to make it 28-14 early in the fourth quarter.
Princeton would once again be victims of the strong Harvard offense as DJ Gordon extended Harvard’s lead to 35-14 with 9:04 remaining in the contest. That was essentially the nail in the coffin for Princeton.
Starting with the winners, Harvard remains as one of the few undefeated FCS programs left in the country. In terms of the conference, the Crimson are in the driver’s seat to win the Ivy League for a third straight season. They hope to win it outright after being crowned co-champions in 2023 and 2024.
Looking at Princeton, it was another disappointing defeat, having already fallen to San Diego and previously the 19th-ranked Mercer at home. The Tigers will now head to Ithaca to face Cornell next Saturday at 1 p.m.
