By Ryan Barry
NEFJ Staff
CAMBRIDGE — The Harvard Crimson imposed an impressive 26-6 win over the Columbia Lions on a blustery fall afternoon at Harvard Stadium.
The Harvard (7-1) defense was the story of the game forcing an impressive two interceptions and three turnovers on downs against a subdued Lions (5-3) offense.
The Crimson kept Lions junior quarterback Cole Freeman (11-for-25, 152 yards, 2 INTs; 9 carries, 21 yards, 1 TD) at bay and didn’t allow a single Columbia running back to notch over 45 yards.
On offense, former quarterback Charles DePrima was the star of the day for the Crimson with 75 rushing yards and three receptions for 49 yards and two total touchdowns.
When asked after the game about his impressive performance, DePrima credited his coaching staff for having him and his teammates prepared.
“It’s no different than any other week,” noted DePrima. “It’s just making sure we’re taking on practice importantly and preparing efficiently.”
Junior quarterback Jaden Craig (15-for-34, 244 yards, two touchdowns) had a mixed afternoon but made a few strong connections with junior wide receiver Cooper Barkate (four receptions, 91 yards, one touchdown) and sophomore tight end Seamus Gilmartin (three receptions, 59 yards).
Head coach Andrew Aurich spoke about Craig’s performance after the game.
“There’s things that we can clean up and improve on with Jaden that will solve some of these problems,’ said Aurich. “Ultimately, he made a number of really good plays that helped to win this game.”
Despite not finding the end zone, sophomore running back Xaviah Bascon impressed with 22 carries for 103 yards and was instrumental down the stretch in killing clock.
Both offenses sputtered out the gate on their first couple possessions, with defense being king to start the game.
An impressive 43-yard punt return from Harvard’s Scott Woods II put the Crimson deep in Columbia territory to help set up the first points of the game.
Three straight incompletions from Craig yielded a 30-yard field goal from Kieran Corr to give the Crimson a 3-0 lead midway through the first quarter.
A promising drive for the Lions on their next offensive possession ended in dramatic fashion with Crimson sophomore Austin-Jake Guillory’s first career interception in the end zone, killing the little momentum that Columbia had started to build.
Harvard made them pay immediately with an impressive 34-yard touchdown strike in stride from Craig to Barkate, extending the Crimson lead to 10-0.
The Columbia offense made their way into Crimson territory yet again on their next offensive possession but it was the Harvard defense who came up big again forcing a Freeman throwaway and turnover on downs.
With the Harvard offense sputtering, Columbia went on another impressive drive into Crimson territory before Jake-Guillory nabbed his second interception of the game to keep the Lions off the scoreboard.
Another impressive Harvard drive just before the end of the first half ended in three points with Corr’s second field goal of the day to extend the Crimson lead to 13-0 just before halftime.
The third quarter was largely unimpressive with punts traded by each team and a second missed field goal from Corr to keep the game 13-0 heading into the final 15 minutes.
The Lions went marching yet again into Crimson territory hoping to finally get some points on the board but another massive stop at the turn of the fourth quarter to force a turnover on downs kept Columbia scoreless.
Harvard put the nail in the coffin with an 11-yard touchdown pass from Craig to DePrima for his first ever receiving score. The punishing 14-play, 69-yard drive ate up 7:35 of clock to put the Crimson up 19-0.
Columbia drove the ball yet again past midfield into Harvard territory only to turn the ball over on downs, with the defense holding strong and preventing a Freeman scramble.
The Crimson tacked on one more late score with a track-like 52-yard DePrima sprint from midfield to give Harvard a 26-0 with 3:37 to go in the game.
A late Columbia score and failed two-point attempt finished off the game at 26-6 to secure Harvard’s 11th straight home victory.
The Crimson improved to 7-1 overall and 4-1 in the Ivy League.
If they can come away with a win in Philadelphia next week at Penn they’ll set up an Ivy League clinching match-up with Yale at home to end the season.