Dartmouth football’s 21-point loss at Harvard the largest in a decade
In a pivotal Ivy League matchup, Dartmouth football suffered a difficult fourth-quarter collapse, falling 31–10 to Harvard University. The defeat marked Dartmouth’s largest loss in ten years.
On a chilly November evening outside Harvard Stadium, the Dartmouth Big Green stood in silence after the heavy loss. Still wearing their game jerseys, a few defenders formed a circle, arms draped over one another, gathering their composure.
“Look ahead,”
said safety and team captain Sean Williams ’26, offering quiet support to his discouraged teammates. Afterward, the players headed to the locker room, packed their gear, and boarded the buses for the long trip back to Hanover.
“It is what it is,”
head coach Sammy McCorkle remarked.
“We didn’t play the game we wanted to. It’s not the outcome we wanted.”
At kickoff, Dartmouth’s fans filled much of the stadium, energized by pregame festivities. But the excitement faded as the team struggled early. The Big Green defense gave up three crucial third-down conversions on Harvard’s opening drive, trailing 7–0 moments later. Dartmouth’s offense then stalled, punting after three plays on its first series.
“We came out excited and ready, but didn’t start well,”
said starting quarterback Grayson Saunier ’27.
“We can’t be inconsistent … This is the first time we went three-and-out on the first drive all year.”
Author’s Summary
Dartmouth’s 31–10 defeat to Harvard, its worst in a decade, revealed the team’s early-game struggles and the leadership’s resolve to move forward.