Yale Stuns Harvard 45-28 to Claim First Ivy League FCS Playoff Bid

When the final whistle blew at Yale Bowl on November 22, 2025, the roar wasn’t just from fans—it was history echoing through the stands. Yale Bulldogs defeated Harvard Crimson 45-28 in the 141st edition of The GameNew Haven, Connecticut, securing their fourth straight win in the rivalry and, more importantly, the Ivy League’s first-ever automatic berth into the FCS playoffs. The victory didn’t just end Harvard’s perfect season—it rewrote the rules of Ivy League football.

A Dominant Start That Set the Tone

Yale didn’t wait to make its statement. On the very first play from scrimmage, linebacker Abu Kamara '27 stripped Harvard’s opening drive, turning chaos into opportunity. One play later, quarterback Dante Reno '28 connected with wide receiver Jaxton Santiago '28 for a 47-yard touchdown. The crowd, already electric, went silent for a heartbeat—then erupted. That play wasn’t just a score; it was a declaration. Harvard, ranked #10 nationally and riding a nine-game winning streak, looked rattled from the gun.

Yale’s defense, paced by Kamara’s relentless pressure, held Harvard’s star quarterback Jaden Craig to just 13-of-26 completions (50%) and two interceptions. The Crimson, who averaged 38 points per game coming in, managed only 13 in the first half. Meanwhile, Josh Pitsenberger carved up Harvard’s defense like a surgeon—145 rushing yards, three touchdowns, and a bruising physicality that wore down the Crimson’s front seven. By halftime, it was 24-7. The script had flipped: Harvard was chasing. Yale was controlling.

The Crimson’s Fight—and the Cost of Missed Opportunities

Harvard didn’t quit. Late in the third quarter, Craig found tight end Tattersall for a 22-yard score, and later, after two Yale penalties gave them new life, Tattersall hauled in another touchdown. The Crimson cut the lead to 20-38 with 1:27 left in the third. For a moment, the ghosts of 2021 and 2022—when Harvard rallied from double-digit deficits—seemed to stir.

But Yale answered. Reno, calm under pressure, hit Brown on a 52-yard bomb to set up a short-yardage touchdown. Then, with 14:56 left in the fourth, Reno found tight end Lucius Anderson on a slant route for a 12-yard score. 45-20. The game was over. Harvard’s final touchdown—a 31-yard strike to Brady Blackburn—came too late, and the two-point conversion made it 45-28, not 45-26. It didn’t matter. The clock was the real enemy now.

Historic Firsts and a Rivalry Reimagined

This wasn’t just another chapter in the third-most-played rivalry in NCAA history. It was a seismic shift. For the first time since the Ivy League joined the FCS in 1982, the conference champion gets an automatic bid to the 24-team playoff tournament. Yale, finishing 8-2 overall and 6-1 in conference play, earned it. Harvard, also 6-1 in the Ivy, finished tied—but without the tiebreaker. The Crimson, 9-1 overall, now waits for the FCS selection committee’s decision, with no guarantee they’ll make the cut.

And for Harvard’s Class of 2026? They’ve never known victory in The Game. Not once. It’s the first four-year losing streak for the Crimson since 1947. The weight of that reality hit hard in the locker room. "We came to win," said one senior, his helmet still on, voice barely above a whisper. "We just… didn’t. Not this time. Not ever."

What This Means for Ivy League Football

The Ivy League has long been a bastion of academic rigor disguised as athletics. But this win signals something new: competitiveness on a national stage. Yale’s playoff berth isn’t just a trophy—it’s validation. It proves that a team from an institution that doesn’t offer athletic scholarships can compete with—and beat—some of the most storied programs in the country.

For years, the Ivy League was seen as a stepping stone to graduation, not the postseason. Now, with Yale’s success, other schools—Dartmouth and Penn, both at 4-3 this season—have a blueprint. The league’s 72-61-8 all-time edge for Yale in the rivalry? That’s now more than a stat. It’s momentum.

What’s Next?

Yale will prepare for the FCS playoffs, likely entering as a #12 or #13 seed. Their path? Tough. But they’ve already beaten the team everyone thought was the favorite. Harvard? They wait. The selection committee meets on Sunday, November 23. Will they get the nod? Or will the Crimson’s season end with a question mark?

And what about next year? With Reno and Pitsenberger returning, Yale looks poised to make this a dynasty. Harvard, meanwhile, must rebuild around a freshman QB and a defense that showed cracks under pressure. The Game isn’t just a game anymore. It’s a turning point.