Football | December 1, 2025

Harvard Football: Villanova 52, Harvard 7

The Crimson’s inaugural playoff appearance is nasty, brutish, and short.

by Dick Friedman

Harvard football player runs with the ball, pursued by opposing players on the field. — **GREAT SCORER Jordan Harris (20) looks for a hole in a staunch Villanova defense. The junior Crimson back tallied the only Crimson touchdown on a third-quarter pass from quarterback Jaden Craig.** | Photograph courtesy of Harvard Athletics

In athletic parlance, to get “boat raced” is to be beaten badly while never having a chance from the start. On Saturday at Villanova Stadium in the first round of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs, the Harvard football team got boat raced, falling to Villanova 52-7. The Crimson concludes its 2025 season with a 9-2 record. The Wildcats, now 10-2, move on to the next round to play Lehigh.

The previous week, Harvard had settled for a share of the Ivy League title after losing to Yale 45-28 in The Game, giving both teams 6-1 conference records. Because of the head-to-head victory, the Elis received the Ivy League’s automatic bid to the FCS playoffs in the first year that Ivy teams have been allowed to enter. In recognition of their season-long excellence, the Crimson received an at-large bid.

Harvard quarterback scrambles with the ball as Villanova defender closes in. — FORGETTABLE FINALE Eluding Villanova’s Capri Martin (50), Harvard’s Jaden Craig looks downfield. In his last game for Harvard, the All-Ivy quarterback went 9-for-21 passing and was limited to 107 yards. | Photograph courtesy of Harvard athletics

In the future the selection committee may rethink making the Ivies a two-bid league. In a humbling performance, Harvard was no match for Villanova’s stronger and quicker players. It was the third straight week that the Crimson defense could not stop the foe’s offense; before the Yale defeat, Harvard had squeaked by Penn in a 45-43 shootout. On the other side of the ball, Jaden Craig, the Crimson’s senior first team All-Ivy quarterback, had the worst day of his Harvard career, completing nine passes in 21 attempts for a mere 107 yards and tossing two interceptions. Not all the incompletions were Craig’s fault, as his receivers failed to catch throws that were on the money.

“The reality is that’s a very good offense that we just played, and they played at a really high level,” said Andrew Aurich, Stephenson family head coach for Harvard football. “They played more physical than us, so that was leading to big chunks of yards in the run game and putting themselves in very manageable third downs, and that’s how you end up giving up a ton of first downs.” In that category, Villanova led 26 to 14.

The Wildcats established themselves at the game’s opening series, going 75 yards in seven plays, all rushes except for one incompletion. The final run was a 45-yard touchdown dash by Isaiah Raglan. Jack Barnum kicked the extra point. Villanova 7, Harvard 0.

Here, the Crimson counterpunched. Craig brought Harvard from its 32 to the Wildcats 28. On second and eight he dropped back and threw into the end zone right into the belly of senior tight end Ryan Osborne. In the regular season this would have been a slam-dunk (to mix sports metaphors) touchdown. But the ball bounced off Osborne and was grabbed by Wildcats defensive back Newton Essiam. Interception—turnover.

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This was the snowball that touched off the avalanche. Villanova promptly drove 80 yards to a touchdown. On third and 10 from the Harvard 30, quarterback Pat McQuaide threw a certain interception that was dropped by Crimson junior defensive back Austin-Jake Guillory. On the next play, the nimble McQuaide evaded the rush and flung a pass to the end zone into the hands of Lucas Kopecky. Barnum booted the point. Villanova 14, Harvard 0.

On its next three series the Crimson went three and out, partly because Harvard receivers failed to corral Craig’s passes. Each time, Villanova took over and capitalized. The first time, Harvard limited the Wildcats to a 30-yard Barnum field goal. Villanova 17, Harvard 0. The second time, McQuaide ran up the middle for a 10-yard touchdown. Barnum added the point. Villanova 24, Harvard 0. The third time, running back Gabriel Mace rushed five yards and just squeaked over the goal line. Barnum provided all three extra points. At halftime it was Villanova 31, Harvard 0. The Crimson had been outgained 336 yards to 31.

Harvard tried to get back into it. To start the second half, Craig led the Crimson on a 68-yard drive, enabled by the hard running of sophomore back DJ Gordon. Eventually, Harvard faced a fourth and goal at the Wildcat six. Craig took the snap and ran around until he could spy an open receiver—junior back Jordan Harris, in the back of the end zone. This pass was caught. The Crimson was on the board. Sophomore Kieran Corr kicked the extra point. Villanova 31, Harvard 7.

Harvard defenders tackle Villanova ball carrier during a crowded play at the line of scrimmage. — THAT’S A WRAP Harvard’s Jake Darling (98) and Caleb Phillips (24) put the clamps on Villanova back Ja'briel Mace. It was a rough day for the Crimson defense as the Wildcats netted 319 yards on the ground. | Photograph courtesy of Harvard athletics

Was a comeback possible? Unlikely. But in Youngstown, Ohio, Yale was in the process of scoring 36 second-half points to overhaul Youngstown State 43-42. This, alas, did not happen on the Main Line. The remainder of the second half was all Villanova. McQuaide threw touchdown passes to Luke Colella (a Princeton refugee) and Antonio Johnson, and Julian Glantz scored on a five-yard run. Each time Barnum converted to account for the final score.

Craig’s final pass attempt for Harvard was perhaps his most woeful—an underthrown toss across the field that was intercepted by Christian Sapp and returned 38 yards. No matter. In his Crimson career, Craig was as great a passer as Harvard ever had. It will be fascinating to see where he goes next. Likewise, we bid adieu to senior captain Ty Bartrum, who on this day had 11 tackles and is one of the hardest-hitting defensive backs in Crimson annals.

Despite the disappointment of the final two weeks, the season was a success for the Crimson. A nine-game winning streak, an Ivy League co-championship (their third in a row), and a trip to the playoffs are not chopped liver. As time goes by, Harvard fans may look back at these as the halcyon days.

Tidbits

NO HOLDING THAT LINE: Harvard’s Sean Line finished the season with three straight 10-plus-tackle days. The junior linebacker had 12 tackles against Villanova, following a 10-tackle performance against Penn and a 15-tackle day at Yale.

KUDOS: Fifteen Harvard players were named to All-Ivy teams, a league high. First-teamers from Harvard on offense include quarterback Jaden Craig (unanimous selection) and linemen Spencer Doan and Thomas O’Brien. Defensive first-teamers include lineman Alex DeGrieck, linebacker Sean Line and safety Ty Bartrum. Kicker Kieran Corr was named first-team All-Ivy on special teams.

COMING UP: A 41-week bye, during which we pace restlessly on weekends as we occupy ourselves with placeholders such as museum-going, needlepoint, and opera. The 2026 season kicks off on Saturday, September 19 (opponent to be officially confirmed). The 142nd Playing of The Game will take place on Saturday, November 21 at Fenway Park, with Harvard the home team. For now, safe and happy holidays to all!

THE SCORE BY QUARTERS