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Xaden Benson
14
Winner Harvard HAR 2-0 , 1-0
10
Brown BRN 1-1 , 0-1
Winner
Harvard HAR
2-0 , 1-0
14
Final
10
Brown BRN
1-1 , 0-1
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
HAR Harvard 7 7 0 0 14
BRN Brown 0 0 3 7 10

Game Recap: Football |

No. 25/21 Football Bests Brown in Pawtucket, 14-10

PAWTUCKET, R.I. – Career days from sophomore quarterback Charlie Smith and junior safety Xaden Benson powered No. 25/21 Harvard football past Brown, 14-10, at Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket, Rhode Island on Friday night.

A native of Charlotte, North Carolina, Smith recorded career-highs in completions (30), yards (205) and passing touchdowns (2) on the offensive side, while Benson became the first Crimson since 2008 to record three interceptions in a game, tying a program record in the process.

How it Happened

  • The Crimson struck first in the opening quarter, as Smith found sophomore wide receiver Ryan Tattersall on an out route in the endzone.
  • Harvard's offense was effective in the initial 15 minutes against the Bears, as Smith completed eight of his nine attempts in the first quarter for 67 yards and a touchdown, while the Crimson defense recorded a takeaway through Benson's first interception of the day and held the Bears to 37 yards in the frame.
  • On its first offensive drive of the second quarter, Harvard doubled its lead, as the Crimson converted on fourth-down twice on a 15-play, 86-yard touchdown drive. On fourth down from the Brown four-yard line, Smith found tight end Teigan Pelletier for his second passing touchdown of the evening and Pelletier's first career touchdown catch.
  • With under four minutes remaining in the first half, Brown would maneuver down to the Harvard 19-yard line, as Benson would record his second interception of the evening to keep the hosts off the scoreboard and maintain Harvard's 14-0 lead heading into the halftime break.
  • Smith completed 21 of his 24 pass attempts for 154 yards in the first half to go along with two passing touchdowns. Junior linebacker Dorsey Benefield led all players in the first half with eight total tackles, as the Crimson held Brown to 93 yards in the first half while gaining 210 on offense.
  • Brown would get on the board in the third quarter with a field goal, as the Crimson owned a 14-3 lead heading into the final quarter of regulation.
  • With 8:16 remaining in the fourth quarter, Brown would score its first touchdown of the day to pull within four of the Crimson, 14-10.
  • The hosts would regain possession with 1:33 remaining in the contest, as Benson would make a game-changing play with his third interception of the evening, tying a school record in the process.
  • Harvard sealed the win on the final possession, as senior running back and team captain Xaviah Bascon rattled off a 14-yard run for the final first down of the day. 

Team Notes

  • The Crimson record four takeaways in a game for the second time under the direction of The Thomas Stephenson Family Head Coach for Harvard Football Andrew Aurich.  
  • Harvard recorded season-highs in both total yards (298) and passing yards (205) against the Bears.
  • In the all-time series against the Bears, Harvard is now 92-31-2, winning 14 of the last 15 match ups between the two programs.
  • With tonight's win, Harvard is 24-1 in its last 25 Ivy League openers, with 23 of them arriving against Brown and the other against Columbia.
  • Harvard is now 47-10 in the month of September since 2001 and is 13-1 in its last 14 games in the month.
  • The Crimson has won its last 11 Friday night contests dating back to the 2018 season. 

Player Notes

  • Xaden Benson: Only one of eight student-athletes in school history to record three interceptions in a game … Ties a program record with three interceptions … First Crimson since 2024 to record multiple interceptions in a single game … Ryan Barnes '10 was the last Crimson to record three interceptions, doing so in the 2008 contest against Penn … Benson leads the FCS with four interceptions this season.
  • Charlie Smith: Set career-highs in completions (30), passing yards (205) and passing touchdowns (2) ... 30 completions is tied for fourth-most in a game in school history ... Just one of six student-athletes in program history to record 30 or more completions in a single game. 
  • Nate Bailey: Logged nine receptions, most in a contest since 2024 when Cooper Barkate '25 caught 11 passes against Penn ... His nine receptions is the most in a game by a first-year since 2015, when Justice Shelton-Mosley '19 caught nine against Dartmouth. 
  • Teigan Pelletier: Recorded his first career catch and first career touchdown on the same drive in the first half.
  • Dorsey Benefield: Made a career-high 12 tackles … Marks his first career game with double-digit total tackles.

UP NEXT

Harvard is back home next weekend, as the Crimson host Colgate on Saturday, Oct. 3 at 7:00 p.m. in its 2026 home opener. Fans can purchase tickets here as all the action will air live on ESPN+.
 
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