Harvard: Crimson survive scare at Brown 35-28

Posted By on September 25, 2022

PROVIDENCE- The Harvard Football team has been living on the edge the first two weeks of the season. They had to come from behind to beat Merrimack in overtime last week and they had to stave off a feisty Brown team in a 35-28 win on Saturday.

The Crimson jumped out to an early 7-0 lead thanks to quarterback Charlie Dean (20/29 282 yards, 4 TD’s) and wide receiver Kym Wimberly who connected four times on the opening scoring drive including a 26 yard touchdown pass. Wimberly talked about his connection with Dean and why they were such an effective combo in this game.

“It honestly starts with reps at practice. We spent the whole summer together, training, working out. It’s just a product of our effort this summer.”

The two would connect again in the second quarter, this time from 25 yards out to give the Crimson a 14-0 lead. Harvard would score again five minutes later when Dean would tight end Hunter Montafalco in the right corner of the end zone for a 24 yard strike.

The Crimson led 21-0 at the half and opened the second half with a bang. On the opening play of the half, the Crimson ran a flea flicker that resulted in an 81 yard touchdown pass from Dean to wide receiver Ledger Hatch.

Up 28-0, Harvard looked to be in control but the Bears mounted a comeback. Running back Stockton Owen took a swing pass from quarterback Jake Willcox (31-55 284 yds, 3 TD’s) weaved his way through the defense and scored. The extra point was good and the Bears cut the deficit to 28-7.

Harvard responded on its very next possession however as running back Aiden Borguet ( 131 yds, 1 TD) broke several tackles on route to a 67 yard touchdown run. At 35-7, the game was seemingly over. It went into the fourth quarter that way but that is when Brown a furious comeback.

The Bears scored three fourth quarter touchdowns to make 35-28. They were on the door step of tying the game but a Willcox to Graham Walker pass attempt sailed just wide and the Crimson took over on downs to ice the game.

Bears coach James Perry talked about what makes his team so resilient and what different about this season.

“I am really proud of this team. They practiced really hard. To watch the maturation of this team, it’s fun to see. Thanks to a lot of good seniors who stick together and work very hard.”

There is no doubt that Brown is a different team than the one we have seen the past two years. This is a team that can now compete in the Ivy League. The offense is more balanced and the defense is improved.

For the Crimson, they survived but Coach Tim Murphy knows a stiff challenge awaits next week when Holy Cross comes to Cambridge.

“We have the Cross. We have a tremendous amount of respect for them. They are most likely or quite possibly the best team we play all year.”

It should be a great game. Kickoff is at 1 pm next Saturday.