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No. 18 Harvard Thrashes Merrimack 31-7 to Move to 5-0

Sophomore Xaden Benson runs with an interception as the first half ends.
Sophomore Xaden Benson runs with an interception as the first half ends. By Nicholas T. Jacobsson
By Connor Castañeda, Crimson Staff Writer

In the Crimson’s final non-conference game of the season, No. 18 Harvard (5-0, 2,0 Ivy) danced to a 31-7 victory over Merrimack (3-5) to start the season 5-0 for the second time in three years.

Senior star quarterback Jaden Craig passed for more than 300 yards for the second time this season, and sophomore utility-man DJ Gordon found the endzone twice, continuing a strong season for the offense.

The defense limited a crafty Warrior defense to just seven points as it kept its opponent to single-digit points for the third time this year, never allowing Merrimack to find its footing.

The half started off slow for Merrimack, punting on their first drive after struggling to break through a tough Harvard defense.

On the team’s first offensive drive, the Crimson managed to do what it has done very well all year, putting together a methodical drive to push through a gritty Warrior defense. After a tricky end-around from senior receiver Cam Henry for a 20-yard gain, Harvard continued to rush through the defensive line.

A 16-yard reception by junior tight end Seamus Gilmartin set Craig up for a 14-yard touchdown pass to senior tight end Ryan Osborne, bringing the Crimson to a 7-0 lead ten minutes into the game.

The two teams traded possessions, with both teams struggling in the rushing and passing game, save a 46-yard reception by Harvard sophomore receiver Brady Blackburn.

Back on offense, Craig quickly pushed his unit forward, with another deep pass to Blackburn. A Merrimack defensive pass interference penalty set his offense deep in Warrior territory. After being stuffed on three rushes, Harvard kicker Kieran Corr made his fourth field goal of the year to push the advantage to 10-0 with ten minutes left in the half.

On the ensuing Merrimack drive, a mixture of interesting formations and strong option rushes helped push the team into Crimson territory. Merrimack ultimately found the end zone on a 20-yard rush by running back Galamama Mulbah to cut the lead to 10-7 with two minutes left in the half.

Running his team in the two minute drill, Craig utilized three defensive penalties and a 42-yard reception by track-team sprinter Henry to push the ball down the field once more. After a short gain and two incomplete passes, Corr came on to the field to make his second field goal of the game and extend the lead to 13-7 with less than a minute to play in the second quarter.

After bringing the ball just into Harvard territory, Warrior quarterback Ayden Pereira threw a Hail Mary deep in the endzone that was picked off by sophomore safety Xaden Benson to end the half with the Crimson holding a slim 13-7 advantage.

Coming out swinging in the second half, the Harvard offense drove down the field once more, but facing third-and-goal on the Merrimack three-yard line, Craig’s pass to Gilmartin was tipped and intercepted in the back of the end zone to flip the field for the Warriors.

After Merrimack failed to capitalize on the turnover with a three-and-out, the Crimson offense was gifted excellent field position once again.

Three plays into the next drive, Gordon scored a touchdown on a beastquake-esque rush down the middle, setting up a two-point try for his offense.

On a puzzling trick play in which the entire offensive line shifted off to the left side of the field, Craig found his favorite receiver Blackburn on a flat to the right as the Crimson pushed their lead to 21-7.

Harvard never looked back the rest of the game, as its offense scored on a field goal from Corr and another rushing touchdown by Gordon to run away with the 31-7 victory to close out its nonconference slate.

Next up, the Crimson looks to remain unbeaten when head coach Andrew Aurich faces his alma mater next Saturday at Princeton.


– Staff writer Connor Castañeda can be reached at connor.castaneda@thecrimson.com.

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