Harvard students bustled down the main drag of Harvard Square with a chocolate croissant from Tatte, sweatshirts adorning their bodies from the Harvard Shop, a bag of snacks from the infamous CVS on their arms, and tickets for the Harvard-Yale Game in hand as they go down to take the subway into New Haven for the 139th showdown between the only Ivy League rivalry that matters.
While many rivalries, such as the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry, grip small towns like Dover, Ohio, the students of some of the most elite colleges only worry about the great game on November 18th, 2023, at 12:00 pm.
Last year, Yale won against Harvard with a 5-point lead of 19-14. Looking back, both teams met in a nasty battle in 1875, where Harvard won 4-0 against Yale. Interestingly enough, Harvard holds the longest win streak of 9 consecutive wins from 2007-2015.
Fans affectionately call the first-ever stand-off between Yale and Harvard “THE GAME,” which occurred on November 13th, 1875. Yale promised Harvard $75 to play the game in New Haven at Hamilton Park, where tickets sold for 50 cents. The game was played as a mix of rugby and soccer, and a team would score a point if they succeeded in achieving a touchdown and making a kick afterward.
Harvard won the game 4-0 with four touchdowns and four tries. What Yale had in speed with small numbers, Harvard had size and many players, leading to Harvard’s win. After the first game, seven Harvard hooliganswere arrested and fined $5.29 for “singing in public streets.” The public cries of excitement after their win further incited the anger of Yale students. This is the moment where the iconic Harvrd-Yale rivalry began.
In 1876, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Columbia organized the IFA (Intercollegiate Football Association), where the rules were adopted from the Rugby Football Union. The rules constantly changed until Yale graduate Walter Camp adopted American football game rules for the game similar to today’s rules.
While Harvard won the first game in their meeting, Yale went unbeaten in the next 11 years against Harvard. In 1892, Harvard first used the “flying wedge” throughout the match, but Yale still won 6-0. After 1884, Yale and Harvard had seven players carried off the field due to severe injuries. Since 1897, the two schools have played every year, except for two years set aside for the two world wars.
The game in 1968 was the most well-known game where Harvard stood trailing behind 29-13 until 42 seconds were left, and Harvard tied Yale, who had a 16-game winning streak before.
Embarrassingly enough, in the 2004 game, Yale students passed out postcards to Harvard fans that said “We suck” instead of the alleged “Go Harvard” sentiment. Unfortunately, Harvard beat Yale 35-3.
Yale leads the all-time winning streak of 65-51-8. In 1898, former Harvard captain A.F Holden sent a letter to coach Cam Forbes uttering, “It also makes the Yale-Harvard game the game of the season.” A journalist, Red Smith, used the reference in the 1940s and was first seen on game programs in 1960.
Make sure to get your Yale or Harvard gear and prepare to watch the most exciting game of the season between the Yale Bulldogs and Harvard Crimson on November 18th at 12 pm in the Yale Bowl. Remember to spend a great day in New Haven after or before the game. Whether your time is spent at a tailgating party or shopping at the Shops at Yale before the game, I hope everyone has a great time.
