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Harvard Football Ivy Champions
Dylan Goodman
23
Penn PEN 6-3 , 3-3
25
Winner Harvard HAR 8-1 , 5-1
Penn PEN
6-3 , 3-3
23
Final
25
Harvard HAR
8-1 , 5-1
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th OT OT OT F
PEN Penn 7 3 3 7 3 0 0 23
HAR Harvard 7 13 0 0 3 0 2 25

Game Recap: Football |

No. 19/24 Football Defeats Penn in Triple Overtime, Wins Ivy Title

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Using a wide-receiver-to-quarterback pass on its offensive possession in triple overtime, No. 19/24 Harvard Football captured the 2023 Ivy League title with its 25-23 home win over Penn on Saturday afternoon at Harvard Stadium.
 
With the championship-clinching decision, the Crimson improved to 8-1 (5-1 Ivy) and grabbed at least a share of the conference crown, while the Quakers fell to 6-3 (3-3 Ivy).
 
On the game's decisive play, Jaden Craig took the shotgun snap and handed off to wide receiver Scott Woods II on a jet sweep. Woods then pitched the ball to fellow receiver Cooper Barkate who found Craig in the right corner of the end zone after the Crimson's quarterback snuck out of the backfield to become a pass catcher.
 
The Crimson won its 18th Ivy League title and first since 2015, and delivered Tim Murphy, The Thomas Stephenson Family Head Coach for Harvard Football, his 10th conference crown, which ties him with Yale's Carm Cozza for the most in league history. Murphy also reached the 200-win plateau while at the helm of the Crimson program.

How It Happened

  • Penn moved down the field quickly on its first drive and jumped out to a 7-0 lead when Malachi Hosley found daylight on the outside and scored on a 29-yard rush.
  • Harvard wasted little in responding, marching 68 yards in six plays, with the drive culminating in a three-yard, score-tying TD rush by quarterback Jaden Craig.
  • The score remained untouched into the second quarter until Penn's Graham Gotlieb connected on a field-goal attempt from 43 yards to put the visitors ahead, 10-7, with 11:13 left in the frame.
  • Much like the first score of the game, Harvard responded immediately after the Penn field goal. The Crimson methodically went down the field, chewing up 80 yards in 13 plays, the last of which featured Craig finding Cooper Barkate on the right side of the endzone. Unfortunately for Harvard, Cali Canaval missed the extra point, making it a 13-10 Crimson lead.
  • The Crimson extended its lead right before halftime when Craig rushed up the middle for a two-yard TD. The nine-play, 70-yard drive propelled Harvard to a 20-10 advantage with 1:06 left in the second quarter.
  • Harvard provided Penn great field position in the third quarter after a its punt attempt went awry. Despite being backed up on its own 25, the Crimson defense did not break, only allowing a Gotlieb 23-yard field goal, which cut the Harvard lead to 20-13.
  • The Quakers posted the lone score of the fourth quarter as Hosley punched in a one-yard touchdown rush as the visitors tied the score at 20-20 with 11:12 to play in regulation.
  • Harvard nearly re-took the lead with 2:15 left in the fourth quarter, missing a 30-yard field goal attempt before blocking a 59-yard field goal attempt from the Quakers as time expired in regulation.
  • In the first overtime, both teams kicked field goals as Penn opened the bonus periods with a 36-yard field goal prior to Canaval connecting on a 19-yard kick after the Crimson drove down to the one-yard line, keeping the score tied at 23-23.
  • Neither team could convert in the second overtime as Harvard turned the ball over on an interception and Penn missed a 36-yard field goal attempt.
  • Moving to the third overtime, Harvard stopped Penn on its two-point attempt as Gavin Shipman swatted away a pass in the end zone.
  • Harvard responded on its ensuing possession, digging deep into its playbook as Craig handed off to Woods who tossed the ball to Barkate on the reverse before Barkate found an open Craig in the end zone to seal the 25-23 victory.

Harvard Team Highlights

  • Harvard improved to 8-1, which is its best nine-game record since the 2015 team (8-1).
  • The Crimson's eight wins overall and five Ivy victories are its most since 2021 (8-2; 5-2 Ivy).
  • Harvard recorded a perfect home record (6-0) for the first time since 2014 and posted its first 6-0 home campaign since 2012.
  • The Crimson improved to 52-39-2 all-time vs. Penn with its third consecutive series win. The three-game winning streak is Harvard's longest vs. Penn since a nine-game streak from 1973-81.
  • Harvard converted 12-of-19 third downs on the day. 

Harvard Player Highlights

  • Quarterback Jaden Craig accounted for three touchdowns in the game – two rushing and one passing – alongside his two-point conversion reception. He completed 23-of-36 passes for 253 yards and one touchdown through the air, while rushing for 35 yards and two touchdowns. Craig set a new career high for pass completions, tied his career high with two rushing TDs, and threw for over 250 yards for the second straight game.
  • Running back Shane McLaughlin carried 27 times for 88 yards. His 27 carries marked a season high, and he ran for over 80 yards for the third straight game.
  • Wide receiver Cooper Barkate caught eight passes for 125 yards and a touchdown to go along with his 2-point pass. He recorded his third 100-yard receiving game of his career and his second of the season.
  • Defensive tackle Thor Griffith led the Crimson in tackles (10) and tackles for loss (2.0). His 10 tackles marked a season high.
  • Linebacker Matt Hudson tallied nine tackles, and safety Ty Bartrum posted eight tackles and one sack – his first of the season.
  • Defensive back Damien Henderson made his first career interception. 

Up Next

Harvard travels to Yale for its regular-season finale, which is set for Saturday, Nov. 18, in New Haven, Connecticut. The 139th playing of The Game is scheduled for a noon ET start and will air live on ESPNU.
 
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