CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Harvard Football continued its rise in the weekly FCS top-25 rankings, moving up one spot in both the AFCA Coaches Poll and the Stats Perform FCS Top 25. The Crimson climbed to No. 17 in the coaches rankings and No. 18 in the Stats Perform poll.
 
Harvard is fresh off a 48-7 home win over Howard last week to improve to 5-0 on the season. Sophomore running back Isaiah Abbey rushed for a career-high 120 yards and three touchdowns, and the Crimson defense held the Bison to its lowest scoring output vs. an FCS team since 2019.
 
First-year running back Xaviah Bascon was named the Ivy League Rookie of the Week on Monday after he rushed for 46 yards, while recording his first career touchdown – a 7-yard reception – against Howard. His rushing performance was part of a team-wide 341-yard ground attack, helping the Crimson remain as one of two undefeated FCS teams in the country (No. 1/1 South Dakota State).
 
Harvard's coaches-poll ranking is its highest since 2021, when it entered its game at Princeton at No. 16. The Crimson's media-poll ranking, meanwhile, is its highest since 2015, when it was ranked 12th, heading into its home contest vs. Penn.
 
The No. 17/18 Crimson return to the gridiron on Saturday when it plays at Princeton. The 1 p.m. ET game will air live on NBC Sports Boston, NBC Sports Philadelphia, SNY and ESPN+.