WORCESTER – Over the last handful of years, the Holy Cross vs. Harvard rivalry had produced some fun, competitive games.

The matchup on Saturday resembled that of a preseason game, telling a story of two programs in very different positions right now.

Harvard absolutely thumped Holy Cross, 59-24 in a game that was basically over after the first quarter.

The Crimson – now 3-0 on the year – led 21-0 after one and 38-3 at halftime, out-gaining the Crusaders 323-110 in the first 30 minutes and 528-333 for the game. Holy Cross dropped to 0-5 on the year.

“Another great first half of like, elite execution on both sides of the ball which led to the game getting completely out of hand,” said Harvard head coach Andrew Aurich. “I was really happy with how our twos and our threes fought in the second half to a draw with their ones. That tells you where our program is at this point…that our twos and our threes are competing with Holy Cross’ ones.”

Both teams traded punts to open the game, but Harvard’s kick was a beautiful pooch from star quarterback Jaden Craig, who pinned the Crusaders at their two-yard line. Two snaps later, the Crusaders fumbled and Xavier Agostino recovered at the 22. On the next play, Craig (19-27, 248, 3 TD) hit tight end Logan Reska for a touchdown and Kieran Corr added the point after.

After swapping three-and-outs, Damien Henderson picked off Cal Swanson at the Holy Cross 42. A two-yard TD run by Isaiah Bullock soon made it 14-0. Riley Jenne followed that with a blocked punt moments later, setting up the offense at the Crusaders’ 27. Two plays later, Tafari Moe took an eight-yard screen for 21-0 lead after one.

Harvard kept its foot on the gas with an early field goal from Corr. Holy Cross finally got on the board with a field goal of its own from Luis Palenzuela, but Harvard scored two more touchdowns in the final 1:55 of the half – a one-yard TD run by Xaviah Bascon and a 23-yard TD catch by Brady Blackburn for the 35-point halftime lead. Blackburn finished the day with five catches for 114 yards and two scores.

“That end of the first half was like, the best I’ve ever seen,” said Aurich. “We score a touchdown…I knew they were going to be max aggression on their end to try to go score themselves and they let us keep our timeouts. So I was like, ‘hey, let’s go get another one.’ So, to score two touchdowns there at the end of the half and then we got it to start the second half…we put them to bed at that point. It didn’t matter how much they scored at the end.”

“We really take pride in being dominant, especially on defense,” said defensive end Josh Fedd. “Especially in the first half, we put up a pretty dominant effort…every time we step on the field, we want to dominant our opponent. Every time we step on the field I do not want the person in front of me to like football after I hit them.”

Craig’s day was done at the half and Dante Torres picked up right where he left off, leading a touchdown drive to open the third quarter, finishing it with a 33-yard strike to Blackburn.

“It really all came together today,” added Blackburn.

A bomb from Swanson to Ty Curran on Holy Cross’ ensuing drive set up a 44-yard TD hookup between Swanson Joseph Williams to make it 45-10. One play after the kickoff, Jordan Harris ripped off a 75-yard touchdown run for the Crimson. An interception by Xaden Benson quickly set up a two-yard TD run for Maddux Reid for the 59-10 lead.

Harvard closed the third quarter out by forcing a turnover on downs at its own one-yard line.

Holy Cross got two fourth quarter touchdowns in the form of a 15-yard reception by Lincoln Fisher and a 32-yard grab for Alijah Cason. Delian Bradley officially closed out the game for the Crimson with a late interception.

Harvard has Ivy League play from here on out, starting with Cornell at home under the lights this Friday night. Holy Cross heads into a much-needed bye week.