Harvard Football Remains Undefeated After Convincing Win Over Columbia
Xaviah Bascon scored two rushing touchdowns, and Seamus Gilmartin caught two touchdown passes from Jaden Craig as Harvard defeated Columbia 31-14 on Friday. This victory improves Harvard's record to 8-0 overall and 5-0 in Ivy League play.
Key Performances and Stats
- Bascon opened the scoring with a 1-yard touchdown run concluding a 10-play, 80-yard drive.
- He added a second touchdown late in the first half.
- Craig connected with Gilmartin twice for touchdowns in the second quarter, aided by an interception by Columbia’s Chase Goodwin returned by Jack Donahoe to the 2-yard line.
Season Highlights
- Harvard won its first eight games of a season for the first time since 2015.
- The team’s 5-0 conference record marks its best start since 2016.
- The Crimson have secured seven consecutive road victories, the longest active streak nationwide.
- Harvard has already matched the total number of wins from each of the past two seasons.
Columbia’s Performance
Columbia (1-7, 0-5 Ivy League) struggled early after a missed field goal on its opening drive. Most drives ended with punts or turnovers until the fourth quarter.
The Lions’ first points came when Goodwin threw a touchdown pass to Titus Evans at the start of the fourth quarter.
They scored again in the quarter with a two-point conversion but failed on an ensuing onside kick attempt.
Summary
Harvard’s dominant offense and strong defense secured a commanding win, highlighting their best start in years and establishing them as top contenders in the Ivy League this season.
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