Full Breakdown
Harvard Crimson Defeats Cornell Big Red 34-10 in Ivy League Showdown
10/11/2025, 1:39:22 PM
Game Overview and Key Events
On October 10, 2025, the No. 22 Harvard Crimson secured a decisive 34-10 victory over the Cornell Big Red at Harvard Stadium. Despite an early 17-0 deficit, Cornell managed to narrow the gap to 17-10, but a controversial non-fumble call shifted momentum back to Harvard, allowing them to extend their lead. This win marked Harvard's sixth consecutive victory over Cornell, improving their record to 4-0 overall and 2-0 in Ivy League play, while Cornell fell to 0-4 and 0-2 in the conference.
The game began with a fumble by Cornell running back Ricardo Lagares Jr., which was recovered by Harvard's Austin-Jake Guillory for a touchdown just 2:11 into the match. Harvard's quarterback Jaden Craig later connected with tight end Ben Alvarez for a touchdown, extending the lead to 14-0. Craig's performance included 237 passing yards and a rushing touchdown, showcasing his dual-threat capability.
Cornell's Resilience and Key Plays
Cornell's offense, led by quarterback Garrett Bass-Sulpizio, showed signs of life after halftime. Bass-Sulpizio capped a nine-play, 64-yard drive with a 1-yard rushing touchdown, narrowing the score to 17-7. Following a field goal by Cornell's Jonathan Roost, the Big Red managed to cut the deficit to 17-10. However, Harvard responded with a field goal of their own, pushing the lead back to 20-10.
Cornell's defense, despite the loss, limited Harvard to season lows in total yards and points. Senior linebacker Damon Barnes led the Big Red with 12 tackles, while Johnny Williamson contributed with an interception.
Harvard's Dominance and Defensive Prowess
Harvard's defense was instrumental in the victory, forcing turnovers that led to scoring opportunities. After Cornell's field goal, Craig added a rushing touchdown, and Jack Donohoe sealed the game with a pick-six, returning the interception 39 yards for a touchdown. Harvard's head coach Andrew Aurich emphasized the importance of creating turnovers, stating, “Ultimately, when you create takeaways and you score touchdowns on those takeaways, it’s very hard to lose a game.”
Official Statements & Responses
Harvard's head coach Andrew Aurich remarked on the team's ability to respond to adversity during the game, highlighting their strong performance after falling behind early. He noted, “Obviously, when you end up winning 34-10, it was a very good response that we had.”
Cornell's efforts were acknowledged despite the loss, with Bass-Sulpizio's performance being a bright spot, completing 18 of 30 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown.
What's Next for Both Teams
Following this matchup, Harvard will face Merrimack on October 18, 2025, while Cornell will return home to host Bucknell on the same day. Both teams will look to build on their respective performances as they continue their Ivy League campaigns.
