NEW HAVEN, Conn. – After a one-year hiatus, the historic gridiron rivalry between Harvard and Yale resumed on Saturday afternoon (Nov. 20) as RV/RV Harvard (8-2, 5-2 Ivy League) used a last-minute touchdown to upend Yale (5-5, 4-3), 34-31, in an epic 137th edition of The Game from the Yale Bowl. 
 
Two key passes from Luke Emge to Kym Wimberly on Harvard's final drive, including what was ultimately the decisive 12-yard touchdown strike, were the difference on an emotional final day of the 2021 season.
 
After a punt on its first possession, the Crimson found itself behind early when Yale's opening drive culminated in a 17-yard touchdown pass from Nate Grooms to Darrion Carrington, putting the Bulldogs in front, 7-0.
 
Harvard's defense responded its next time on the field, however, as senior linebacker Jack McGowan made his second interception of the season, setting the Crimson up for a 47-yard field goal from junior kicker Jonah Lipel. The kick was Lipel's 14th made field goal of the season, setting a new single season program record. The kick was also the longest made field goal of Lipel's career.
 
On Yale's next drive, the Crimson forced another turnover when James Herring wrapped his hands around his third interception in the last two weeks, jumping in front of a Grooms' pass and returning it six yards to the Bulldog 29-yard line.
 
Aidan Borguet ensured that the takeaway would not go to waste, scoring his eighth touchdown of the season on a one-yard run to give Harvard a 10-7 advantage.
 
Yale knotted the game at 10 after a Jack Bosman 32-yard field goal split the uprights with 9:45 to go in the first half, but Harvard would take the lead right back on its next possession on another 47-yard field goal off Lipel's right foot.
 
With 5:38 to go in the second quarter, the Crimson got a huge boost from its special teams. A blocked punt by Herring was collected by sophomore Kobe Joseph, who took it 35-yards to the endzone.
 
The Bulldogs answered with some electricity of their own. On a fourth and four from the Crimson 30-yard line, Grooms evaded an onslaught of Harvard pass-rushers, scrambled to the left sideline and tossed a touchdown pass to tight end JJ Howland. The play narrowed the advantage to three for Harvard, a lead which the Crimson would take into the half.
 
The first score of the second half came with 6:03 to play in the third quarter. Emge hooked-up with first-year receiver, Ledger Hatch, for an 11-yard touchdown strike, the first touchdown of Hatch's career.
 
Once again facing a 10-point deficit, Yale managed a prompt response. The Bulldogs marched down the field, going on a five-play, 75-yard scoring drive that was capped by a Spencer Alston rushing touchdown from 12-yards out.
 
The two teams traded interceptions early in the fourth quarter. First it was Yale's Clay Patterson snatching away an Emge pass, before Harvard's Alex Washington grabbed the Crimson's third interception of the game to get the ball back for his offense.
 
After a Harvard punt, Yale took its first lead since the opening quarter, moving in front 31-27 on a 27-yard touchdown pass from Grooms to David Pantelis.
 
A crucial stop by the Crimson defense on a third and one gave Harvard the football back with 2:40 left on the clock in the fourth quarter, but the offense was unable to move the ball and turned it over on downs with 2:01 remaining.
 
Harvard's defense managed to hold once more to give the Crimson the final opportunity it needed. A much-needed big play came when Emge hit Wimberly for a 42-yard reception, bringing the ball to the Yale 13-yard line. Three snaps later, Emge and Wimberly connected again, this time for the go-ahead score, putting Harvard in front 34-31 with just 22 seconds remaining.
 
Harvard's victory was sealed with Yale unable to manage any last-second heroics on its final possession.
 
Harvard Highlights

• Wimberly led Harvard with three catches for 81 yards on the day. Two of the junior's receptions came on Harvard's final drive including the clinching 12-yard touchdown. The Slidell, Louisiana native ended the season with a team-high four receiving touchdowns.
• In just the third start of his collegiate career, Emge recorded a career high 219 total passing yards, 66 of which came on the game-winning drive. 
• Harvard finished the game with three interceptions, the third time this season the team has reached that number (Lafayette, Princeton).
• Jordan Hill totaled seven tackles to lead the Crimson defense. Hill ends the season as Harvard's leading tackler with 69 total tackles.
• With 5:38 on the clock in the second quarter, James Herring blocked a punt off the foot of Yale's Jack Bosman. The ball was picked up by Harvard's Kobe Joseph and returned 35-yards to the endzone. It was the first blocked punt returned for a touchdown by Harvard since DeMarkes Stradford achieved the feat vs. Howard Oct. 5, 2019. The block was the second of the season for Herring, who also had one against Cornell.
• Jonah Lipel connected on two field goals, bringing his season total to 15. It is the most filed goals made in a single season in Harvard football history. Lipel hit from 47-yards twice on the day, the longest made field goals of the junior's career.
• First-year receiver, Ledger Hatch caught the first touchdown of his collegiate career.

Game Notes

• Harvard finishes the 2021 season with an overall record of 8-2, having gone 5-2 in the Ivy League. It is the most wins for the program since 2015 when they totaled nine.
• This year's edition of The Game was the 137th in the history of the Harvard-Yale rivalry. Harvard has now won 19 of the last 27 meetings, including 11 of the last 14. It is the third-most played series in college football behind Lehigh-Lafayette (155 meetings) and Princeton-Yale (143). 
• Today's game marks the third time this season that Harvard has appeared on national or regional television (vs. Brown, ESPNU; vs. Dartmouth, NESN; at Yale, ESPNU). The Crimson achieved a 2-1 record in these games.
• The Crimson finish the season 7-0 when leading at the half.
• The visiting team has now won 17 of the last 31 times The Game has been contested.