Skip To Main Content

Harvard University

Scoreboard

Skip to Navigation
>
>
Xaden Benson
14
Harvard HAR 6-1 , 3-1
24
Winner Dartmouth DAR 4-3 , 3-1
Harvard HAR
6-1 , 3-1
14
Final
24
Dartmouth DAR
4-3 , 3-1
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
HAR Harvard 0 14 0 0 14
DAR Dartmouth 7 14 0 3 24

Game Recap: Football |

Benson Breaks Single-Season Interception Record, No. 16/13 Football Falls at Dartmouth

HANOVER, N.H. – No. 16 Harvard football dropped its first contest of the 2026 season on the road, as the Crimson fell, 24-14, against Dartmouth on Friday night.

In the secondary, Xaden Benson continued his remarkable junior season against the Big Green, as the Atlanta, Georgia native broke the school record for interceptions in a single season with three this evening.

How it Happened

  • After forcing a Dartmouth punt on the first possession of the game, a Crimson turnover set up the Big Green on the Harvard 18-yard line. On the fifth play of the drive, the hosts put the first points on the board, 7-0, with a touchdown run from Grayson Saunier.
  • Harvard's offense found its footing, marching down to the Dartmouth four-yard line in 15 plays, as DJ Gordon picked up seven touches on the drive. Once again, Dartmouth regained the momentum with an interception from Matthew Boydell.
  • Facing a fourth down on the Harvard goal line with 10:50 left in the second quarter, Dartmouth doubled its lead, 14-0, as Saunier converted a shovel pass Dylan Elder.
  • In its first drive of the second quarter, Harvard maneuvered into Dartmouth territory quickly, as Charlie Smith completed a pass to Henry Shoemaker at the Dartmouth 23-yard line. From there, Dartmouth's defense stood strong and regained possession.
  • The tide turned Harvard's way midway through the second quarter. As he's done all season, Benson was in the right place at the right time, putting the Crimson back on the field in plus territory with his nation-leading seventh interception of the 2026 season.
  • It only took two plays and 35 yards for Harvard to pull within one possession of the hosts, 14-7, as Smith found Nathan Bailey wide open in the endzone on a 13-yard wheel route out of the backfield with 6:41 on the clock in the second quarter.
  • The last two minutes of the first half saw Harvard and Dartmouth go back-and-forth. Just after the two-minute timeout, the hosts restored its 14-point lead, 21-7, as the Big Green went on a 12-play drive that ended with a touchdown pass to Nick Lemon.
  • A lighting fast four play, 75-yard drive pushed Harvard back within one score of Dartmouth. Back-to-back first down runs from Gordon put Harvard past the 50-yard line, as Smith threaded the needle to Ryan Tattersall on the left sideline for a 38-yard touchdown pass to put the scoreboard at 21-14 at the halftime break.
  • Harvard outgained the hosts, 209-164, across the first two quarters in Hanover. Smith finished the first half with 168 passing yards, 73 of them to Tattersall. Sean Line picked up a game-high seven first half tackles.
  • The Crimson started the second half with the ball, as Dartmouth took control at midfield with its third interception of the night, this time from Cameron Best-Alston.
  • Just four plays into the ensuing Big Green drive, Harvard got the ball back on Benson's second interception of the contest. A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Benson leads the nation with eight interceptions and has two games with multiple interceptions.
  • After a scoreless Harvard drive, Benson made program history. With Dartmouth facing a second and four on its own 38, Benson gave the Crimson the ball back with his ninth interception of the season, marking a new school record for interceptions in a single season.
  • Throughout the majority of the remainder of the second half, neither offense found its rhythm. Dartmouth scored the final points of the game with a field goal late in the fourth quarter to cement the 24-14 scoreline.

Team Notes

  • The Crimson defense forces multiple turnovers in a game for the sixth time this season.
  • Harvard allowed a season-best 42 receiving yards against the Big Green.
  • Harvard's passing offense surpasses 250 passing yards for a fifth consecutive contest.

Player Notes

Xaden Benson – Set a school record for interceptions in a single season with nine, surpassing the previous record of eight set by three different Crimson … Recorded three interceptions in a game for the second time this year … Now has six interceptions in Friday night contests.
Ryan Tattersall – Recorded a career-best 94 receiving yards on six catches … Recorded his second touchdown reception in the second quarter.
Sean Line – Ended the day with a game-high 12 total tackles … Hits double-digit total tackles for the second time this season.
DJ Gordon – Rushed for a season-high 77 yards … Surpassed 500 career rushing yards.

Up Next

The Crimson return to Cambridge on Saturday, Nov. 7 for its home finale at Harvard Stadium against Columbia. Kick-off is scheduled 1:00 p.m. and all the action will air live on ESPN+.
 
Print Friendly Version