Football Falls at Harvard in Ivy Opener

Saturday, September 27

Boston, Mass.

6 p.m.

Brown University

Harvard

Photo by: Chip DeLorenzo

9/27/2025 9:53:00 PM | Football

Box Score Photo Gallery Photo Gallery

BOSTON, Mass. – The Brown football team fell by a score of 41-7 at Harvard on Saturday evening in the Ivy opener for both teams. The loss drops Brown to 1-1 (0-1 Ivy) on the season, while the Crimson improve to 2-0 (1-0 Ivy).

Both teams entered the game receiving votes in the AFCA FCS Coaches National Poll this week after blowout wins in their season openers last week.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

The Crimson turned three Brown interceptions into touchdowns, including one to start each half.
Harvard's defense held the Bears to just 155 yards of total offense.
Nine different Brown receivers had a reception, with senior Ty Pezza hauling in his first touchdown catch of the season in the first quarter.
Four different Bears totaled at least eight tackles in the game, led by senior John Perdue with a game-high 14 and junior Miles Brophy with 12, both of which were career-highs.
Max Malo and Sam Smith each added eight tackles apiece.
Junior Michael Nesbit had two catches for a team-leading 35 yards. Junior Matt Childs led the Bears on the ground with 30 yards rushing.
Harvard totaled 479 yards of offense, including 317 through the air.
Crimson senior quarterback Jaden Craig was 24-for-31 for 317 yards and four touchdowns.
Five different members of the Crimson scored one touchdown each.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Harvard struck right out of the gate with a pair of touchdowns courtesy of two Brown interceptions. The first was a 30-yard pick-six on the first play from scrimmage, and a second interception set up a 21-yard touchdown pass at the 8:13 mark to make it 14-0.
Brown answered back with a 75-yard drive that ended with a four-yard scoring pass into the right front corner of the end zone from James Murphy to Pezza at 5:06 of the first quarter.
Harvard made it 21-7 on the final play of the opening quarter with a one-yard run to cap a nine play, 80-yard drive.
Harvard struck again at the 5:47 mark, going 90 yards on 13 plays, converting a fourth down on the drive and capping it with a 19-yard TD strike to go up 28-7.
The Crimson added a big strike with a 44-yard touchdown pass with 1:51 remaining, then missed a 42-yard field goal attempt as time expired to hold a 34-7 lead at the half.
After a Harvard punt, the Crimson defense started the second half the same way they started the first with an interception, which they turned into seven more points with a two-yard touchdown pass on 4th-and-goal from the two to go up 41-7 at 10:11 of the third quarter.

The Bears will return to action this coming Friday night, October 3 when they will host the University of Rhode Island at Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket in the annual Governor's Cup matchup. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. on ESPN+.

BROWN UNIVERSITY SPORTS FOUNDATION
The Brown University Sports Foundation (BUSF) is the backbone of our athletics program, playing a crucial role in enhancing the student-athlete experience. This is possible through philanthropic support from our alumni, parents, fans, and friends. Your gift through the Sports Foundation can immediately impact today's Brown Bears, helping them excel in the classroom, in competition, and, most importantly, in the community. Please click here to learn more about how you can support the Bears.

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL
For the latest on Brown Athletics, please follow @BrownU_Bears on X and @BrownU_Bears on Instagram. Like BrownUBears on Facebook and subscribe to the BrownAthletics YouTube channel.