Harvard Cruises Past Holy Cross With 30-7 Win
The No. 17 Crimson remain undefeated after dominating the Crusaders at The Stadium.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Football
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Harvard improved to 5-0 on the season following a 30-7 victory over Holy Cross. The Crimson offense powered the win with 461 total yards of offense compared to 311 for the visitors.
Why it matters
This victory maintains the team's momentum as they look to build on their No. 17 ranking in the Football Championship Subdivision. The win also extends their long-standing control over the historical series against Holy Cross.
Harvard tallied 24 first downs against 13 for Holy Cross in front of an attendance of 6,581. Quarterback Charlie Smith directed the offense by completing 19 of 32 passes for 297 yards.
The players
Charlie Smith
He is the starting quarterback for the Harvard Crimson football team.
Kise Flannery
He is a freshman player for Harvard who scored two rushing touchdowns in the victory.
Henry Shoemaker
He is a freshman wide receiver for Harvard who caught a touchdown pass during the game.
Austin Chase-Guillory
He serves as a defensive back for the Harvard football program.
Jack Donahoe
He is a defensive back for Harvard who recorded an interception and a long return against the Crusaders.
The details
Freshman Kise Flannery scored two rushing touchdowns, while fellow freshman Henry Shoemaker added a touchdown catch from Smith. Defensive efforts were anchored by interceptions from Austin Chase-Guillory and Jack Donahoe, with the latter adding a 51-yard return.
Timeline
October 17, 2026, marked the date of the Harvard versus Holy Cross game.
October 24, 2026, is when Harvard will host Princeton at home.
The Big Picture
This victory follows the pattern established by the historical Harvard versus Holy Cross football series. The result extends the Crimson's lead in the rivalry to 49-26-2.
The win maintains Harvard's undefeated 5-0 record, keeping the team firmly in contention within the Football Championship Subdivision standings. Fans should note the heavy reliance on tight ends Sean Gilmartin, Teigan Pelletier, and Logan Reaska as primary receiving targets.
The takeaway
The team demonstrated balanced offensive depth by successfully integrating multiple tight ends into the passing game alongside core playmakers. This strategic variety provides a blueprint for maintaining their winning streak as they approach the remainder of the season.
What happens next
Harvard is scheduled to play Princeton on October 24, 2026.
Further reading
For more on the team's performance, visit the Cambridge Football section.
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