Beginning of conference play kind to Harvard, Yale

Ivy League play began this weekend, with Harvard and Yale securing victories over Brown and Cornell, respectively. The remaining Ivy teams were unsuccessful against nonconference opponents.

Harvard 24, Brown 7
The Crimson (1-1, 1-0 Ivy) faced off against the Bears (1-1, 0-1 Ivy) Friday night under the lights. Struggling offensively, Brown committed five turnovers: two fumbles and three interceptions. These mistakes kept the Bears from scoring until the third quarter, by which time the Crimson had already recorded 14 points. However, Harvard sought to extend its lead, and drove 95 yards for another touchdown. This drive included a 56-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Colton Chapple to receiver Adam Chrissis. Harvard later kicked a field goal to achieve its 24-7 victory.

Yale 37, Cornell 17
In New Haven this weekend, the Bulldogs (2-0, 1-0 Ivy) defeated Cornell (1-1, 0-1 Ivy) 37-17. Yale quickly took the lead, tallying 17 points during the first quarter. The Big Red was not so fortunate, but after an interception and a failed field goal attempt it was finally able to add three points to the scoreboard with three seconds to spare in the first half. Early in the third period, Cornell drove 96 yards down the field, when sophomore quarterback Jeff Mathews completed a 21-yard pass to junior receiver Luke Tasker for the team’s first touchdown of the game. The Big Red continued to close the point deficit to one possession with 21 minutes of playing time remaining. However, the Bulldogs responded with two more touchdowns, the second of which ended in a 58-yard rush from junior receiver Allen Harris.

SHU 24, Dartmouth 21
Fans were at the edge of their seats this weekend when the Big Green (1-0) faced off against Sacred Heart. Scoring stayed even for the first three quarters. Hoping to take the lead in the fourth period, Dartmouth drove down the field to the Sacred Heart 21-yard line. However, senior kicker Foley Schmidt’s field goal attempt was wide right, and the ball returned to the Pioneers, who went on to record a field goal of their own. With a minute left of playing time, Dartmouth battled down the field, giving Schmidt the chance to redeem himself. However, his attempt was blocked, resulting in a 24-21 Sacred Heart victory.

Villanova 30, Penn 21
Although the Quakers (0-2) started strong against Villanova this weekend, they were destroyed by their own mistakes and lost 30-21. Six minutes into the first quarter, Penn defensive back Jason Schmucker intercepted a pass at the Wildcats’ 14-yard line, enabling the Quakers to score the first touchdown of the game. However, during the second period, Quakers junior quarterback Billy Ragone threw two interceptions, both of which were returned for touchdowns.

Bucknell 34, Princeton 9
Plagued by blunders, the Tigers (0-2) were annihilated by Bucknell 34-9 this weekend. Princeton may have scored the first points with a field goal five minutes into the game, but it would be another 47 minutes of playing time before it scored again. This can be attributed to the many mistakes the Tigers made. Quarterback, Tommy Wornham, threw three interceptions, the first of which was returned for a touchdown—the other two occurred at the Bison’s goal line. The Tigers fumbled the ball three times and missed a field goal attempt to ensure their loss.