Dartmouth Football Endures Largest Loss in a Decade Against Harvard
In a crucial Ivy League game, Dartmouth football fell apart in the fourth quarter, losing 31-10 to Harvard University. Jack Zipper ’28, Abby Byrne ’28, and Kyle Greason ’29 reported on the game.
Outside Harvard Stadium on a cold November Saturday, the Dartmouth Big Green team was somber after the heavy defeat by their rival. Still wearing their jerseys, a group of Dartmouth defenders stood in a circle with arms around each other. Safety and team captain Sean Williams ’26 offered encouragement:
“Look ahead.”
After breaking the huddle, the team headed to the locker room to pack and then board buses for the long trip back to Hanover.
Head coach Sammy McCorkle reflected on the outcome:
“It is what it is. We didn’t play the game we wanted to. It's not the outcome we wanted.”
Game Overview
Despite enthusiasm from a large crowd of Dartmouth fans energized by tailgates, the team struggled early. The Big Green defense allowed Harvard to convert three third downs on their opening drive, quickly falling behind 7-0. Dartmouth's offense stalled, forced to punt after only three plays on the first drive.
Starting quarterback Grayson Saunier ’27 said, “We came out excited, ready to go, and we didn’t have a great start. We can’t be inconsistent … This is the first time we went three-and-out on the first drive all year.”
Summary
The loss marked Dartmouth's biggest defeat in a decade, highlighting struggles on both sides of the ball and signaling a need for focus moving forward.
Author’s Note
This game exemplified the challenges Dartmouth faces in maintaining consistency, emphasizing resilience will be vital in future matchups.