A win in Cambridge for Cornell football would be a critical morale boost, one of historical significance, for a squad struggling to get its footing.
The Red is currently still in search of its first win this season that could hopefully shift some momentum in its favor. As it stands, the Red is the only Ivy League team to not yet secure a win this season.
While the focus is on turning this season around, this game also holds a historical burden that has hung over the Red’s program for decades. The last time Cornell left an away game at Harvard victorious was in 2000. This Friday not only represents the opportunity for the first win of the 2025 season, but also an opportunity to end a 25-year streak during which the Red has lost all 11 games played in Cambridge.
“They’re super explosive,” said head coach Dan Swanstrom. “They have made a ton of huge plays, and they’re really tough to get off the field. We’re really going to have to be conscientious about making sure they don’t get behind us.”
It won’t be an easy fight; Harvard, which topped the preseason media polls for the Ivy League, is currently undefeated after posting substantial wins over Stetson University, Brown University and Holy Cross.
Harvard’s offense hasn’t scored less than 41 points in the first three games of the season. This productivity is powered by quarterback Jaden Craig, who has notched 773 passing yards in 2025 alone. Craig is backed up by a supporting cast of powerful runners and receivers, including running back Jordan Harris, who leads the team in rushing yards and is followed closely by rookie backup quarterback DJ Gordon.
The Red’s defense will face a roster stacked with players with strong play awareness and chemistry. To Swanstrom, Cornell’s defense has been showing up consistently for the team. The Crimson, however, is a special class of opponent.
“We’re playing pretty solid on that side of the ball. But this is different,” Swanstrom said. “[Craig] can get the ball out of his hands, he knows where it’s going. We’ve always known the talent, and he’s fantastic. There’s not a lot of weaknesses in his game.”
Not only is the Crimson a daunting opponent to keep from the endzone, but Cornell’s offense – which has been struggling to make concerted efforts amidst errors and leadership uncertainty – will find it difficult to make it past a Harvard defense that has kept two of three opponents to just seven points.
“Harvard has always been matchup based,” Swanstrom said. “They’ve always had a really strong front seven. It’s a suffocating way to play defense, if you have the ability and the talent to do so. And they have the ability and the talent to do so.”
The short week gives Cornell little time to adjust following a disappointing result against Colgate on Saturday.
After his strong showing at homecoming last weekend, junior quarterback Garrett Bass-Supizio may have a shot at his first career start in the position. Junior quarterback Devin Page, who was pulled after two interceptions in the beginning of the first quarter, has been performing strongly in practice, according to Swanstrom.
The teams come to a head at 7 p.m. on Friday. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+.
Alexis Rogers is the sports editor on the 143rd editorial board. She is in the Class of 2028 in the College of Arts & Sciences, and she can be reached at arogers@cornellsun.com.
Matthew Leonard is a member of the Class of 2028 in the School of Industrial and Labor Relations. He is the assistant sports editor of the 143rd Editorial Board. He can be reached at mleonard@cornellsun.com.
