It wasn’t just a loss—it was a reckoning. On Saturday, November 22, 2025, at the Yale Bowl in New Haven, Connecticut, the Yale Bulldogs crushed the Harvard Crimson 45-28 in the 141st edition of The GameYale Bowl, ending Harvard’s nine-game winning streak and sending the Crimson’s perfect season up in smoke. The win wasn’t just another rivalry triumph—it was historic. For the first time since 1947, Harvard has lost four straight to Yale. And for the Class of 2026? They’ve never known what it feels like to beat their rivals. But the real shockwave? Yale just became the first Ivy League team ever to claim an automatic bid to the FCS playoffs. Harvard? They’re left waiting.
From Disaster to Defeat: How It All Unraveled
It took 18 seconds for Yale to send a message. On Harvard’s very first offensive play, senior quarterback Jaden Craig threw a short pass to wide receiver Dean Boyd—who fumbled. Brandon Webster, Yale’s defensive back, pounced. Just 18 seconds later, Dante Reno '28 hit Jaxton Santiago '28 on a 21-yard touchdown. The crowd, packed to the rafters, erupted. Harvard hadn’t even gotten a first down. By the end of the first quarter, Yale led 17-0. Josh Pitsenberger powered in from 8 yards out. Kicker Noah Piper added a 40-yard field goal. Harvard’s offense, which had been unstoppable all season, looked disjointed. Craig completed just 12 of 24 passes. His longest throw? A 64-yard bomb to Nico Brown in the second quarter. But even that came too late. Yale’s defense, anchored by linebacker Abu Kamara '27—who forced the opening fumble—held Harvard to three-and-outs on five straight drives after the Crimson’s first touchdown.Harvard’s Fight Wasn’t Enough
The Crimson didn’t quit. Down 24-7, Craig scrambled for a 26-yard TD, cutting the lead to 24-14. Then, early in the fourth, with Harvard clinging to hope, Reno connected again—this time with tight end Lucius Anderson on a 12-yard score. It was 45-20. Harvard responded with a 31-yard TD pass to Brady Blackburn and a two-point conversion, but the clock had already run out on their season. "They came out there and they did everything that we had been doing for nine weeks," said Harvard head coach Andrew Aurich postgame. "What they did—that was really impressive." It was a rare moment of humility from a coach who’d led his team to a 9-0 record through the regular season. But the numbers didn’t lie: Yale outgained Harvard 412 to 298. Reno threw for 317 yards and three touchdowns. Harvard’s defense, which had allowed just 14.2 points per game coming in, gave up 45.
One Title, Two Futures
Both teams finished 6-1 in the Ivy League, sharing the conference crown. But here’s the twist: for the first time in Ivy League history, the league’s automatic bid to the FCS playoffs went to the team that won the head-to-head matchup. That’s Yale. Harvard? They’re on the outside looking in, hoping the selection committee sees something in their 9-1 record and a season that included wins over No. 14 Brown and No. 22 Princeton. The committee’s decision comes next week. But even if Harvard gets in, it won’t erase the sting of this loss. Not when the final whistle blew and Yale fans flooded the field at the Yale Bowl, chanting, laughing, hugging strangers. For the first time in nearly 80 years, Harvard’s seniors leave without a single win over Yale.A Rivalry Reversed
The Game began in 1875. For decades, Harvard dominated. In the 1980s, Yale had its run. But since 2022, it’s been all Bulldogs. Four straight wins. Four straight seasons where Harvard’s season ends with the same question: What went wrong? This wasn’t about talent. It was about execution. Yale’s offensive line opened holes. Their secondary read Craig’s eyes. Their special teams didn’t blink. Harvard, meanwhile, looked tentative. The same team that had run for 250 yards a game managed just 81 on Saturday. Craig, who had thrown just three interceptions all season, threw two—both critical. The ripple effect? Recruiting. Momentum. Legacy. Harvard’s recruiting class for 2026 was supposed to be their breakout group. Now, they’ll have to explain why the program they chose couldn’t win the one game that matters most.
What’s Next?
Yale (8-2) will host a first-round FCS playoff game on December 6, likely against a team like North Dakota State or South Dakota State. Their players are already talking about a deep run. Harvard’s players? They’re packing up. Some will transfer. Others will redshirt. A few will return—but next year’s team will be defined by this loss. The Ivy League’s playoff format may change. There’s already talk about awarding the bid to the team with the best overall record, not just the head-to-head winner. But for now, the rule stands: win the game, win the bid. And Yale won.Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Yale get the automatic FCS bid over Harvard if they both finished 6-1?
The Ivy League’s tiebreaker for the FCS automatic bid is the head-to-head result. Since Yale defeated Harvard 45-28 in The Game, they earned the bid, even though Harvard had a better overall record (9-1 vs. 8-2). This is the first year the rule has been applied, making it historic—and controversial.
Has Harvard ever lost four straight to Yale before?
Yes—but not in nearly 80 years. Harvard’s last four-game losing streak to Yale was from 1944 to 1947. Before that, it happened in the 1910s. The Class of 2026 is the first since 1947 to graduate without a single win in The Game, a psychological blow that will echo through recruiting for years.
What does this mean for Harvard’s playoff chances?
Harvard’s 9-1 record, including wins over ranked teams, gives them a strong case for an at-large bid. But the selection committee has never awarded an at-large bid to an Ivy League team. With only 24 spots and 12 automatic qualifiers, Harvard’s odds are slim—around 25%, according to FCS analysts. A win over Yale would have nearly guaranteed it.
Who are the key players on Yale’s side?
Quarterback Dante Reno '28 threw for 317 yards and three TDs. Wide receiver Jaxton Santiago '28 had 11 catches for 142 yards and the early TD. Linebacker Abu Kamara '27 forced the game-changing fumble. Kicker Noah Piper was perfect on field goals, including a 40-yarder under pressure.
How does this affect Harvard’s future recruiting?
Harvard’s recruiting class of 2026 was one of its strongest in a decade. But losing four straight to Yale—especially in such a dominant fashion—will make it harder to attract top-tier talent who want to win the big games. Coaches will now have to sell the program’s academic prestige over on-field success, a tough sell in a landscape where rivals like Princeton and Dartmouth are climbing.
Will the Ivy League change its playoff tiebreaker rule?
There’s growing pressure to switch to overall record instead of head-to-head, especially since Harvard had a better season. Commissioner Dan Roth has said the league will review the policy "in light of this historic outcome." But any change won’t happen before next season. For now, winning The Game is still everything.
