Chloe Edwards, Photography Editor

The Yale football team (7–3, 5–2 Ivy) defeated the Harvard Crimson (8–2, 5–2 Ivy) 23–18 to earn a share of the Ivy League title. The win puts the Bulldogs in a three-way tie with Harvard and Dartmouth for the Ivy Championship.

In a defensive battle, the Bulldogs prevailed, coming up with the big plays when they were needed, just as they have all season.

“This team has fought through a lot this season, from the first game to now,” head coach Tony Reno said. “I’m just really proud of the resolve that these guys have had. An incredible captain, incredible senior leadership and it showed today.”

The 139th edition of The Game was decided with less than six minutes left when quarterback Nolan Grooms ’24 found wide receiver David Pantelis ’25 in the corner of the endzone to put the Bulldogs ahead.

It was a fitting end to a contest in which both teams looked to their skill position players to make the breakthrough plays, as both defenses were strong all afternoon. Much of the Yale offense on the day came from running back Joshua Pitsenberger ’26, who gained 99 rushing yards individually compared to the team’s 90 passing yards. 

“[The group of receivers is] really a great thing to have,” Grooms said. “Teams really [try] to double cover Mason and expect to stop us. You’ve got Ryan Lindley who’s been a little banged up the last couple weeks, but he’s one of the best receivers in the league, and you got David Pantelis who was our leading receiver last year, we got him back the last three games.”

Despite the strong work of the receivers, the Yale defense was the story of the day. In a rivalry game with a share of the Ivy League title on the line, the Elis’ defense only allowed 318 yards, forcing an interception and a timely fumble. 

The last play of The Game was a perfect encapsulation of the day for the Bulldog defense. Crimson quarterback Jaden Craig, facing fourth-and-14 from the Yale 33-yard line following an Abu Kamara ’27 sack, was once again hurried by the pass rush and flung an incomplete pass into the endzone. 

To the delight of the Yale fans making up a sizable portion of the 51,127-person crowd, cornerback Sean Guyton ’25 was there to once again thwart the Harvard offense, swatting the ball to the ground to ensure a Bulldogs win.

As fans stormed the field following a final kneel down by Grooms to cap an excellent Yale career for the quarterback, the excitement doubled as the victory was both a win over the Crimson and the final piece needed to secure back-to-back Ivy League Championships for the Bulldogs.

The 139th edition of The Game secured the Bulldogs their third Ivy League championship in the past four seasons.