For years, college football has fallen prey to the “eye test”, using metrics like “best wins”, “strength of schedule” and “played Division I-A football” to choose the to best teams duke it out for the title. At the Back Page, we have routinely been setting the record straight using the only real qualification for the title—degrees of separation. Below, we show (not for the first time) that it is Harvard, not Alabama, that deserves to be the national champion.
Harvard beat Brown, 53-27 …
Brown beat Holy Cross, 25-24 …
Holy Cross beat Albany, 37-0 …
Albany beat Delaware, 17-6 …
Delaware beat William & Mary, 24-23 …
William & Mary beat Villanova, 38-16 …
Villanova beat Fordham, 14-7 …
Fordham beat Army, 37-35 …
Army beat Eastern Michigan, 58-36 …
Eastern Michigan beat Wyoming, 48-29 …
Wyoming beat UNLV, 35-28 …
UNLV beat Nevada, 23-17 …
Nevada beat Colorado State, 28-23 …
Colorado State beat New Mexico, 28-21 …
New Mexico beat Air Force, 45-37 …
Air Force beat Utah State, 35-28 …
Utah State beat Boise State, 52-26 …
Boise State beat Virginia, 56-14 …
Virginia beat Georgia Tech, 27-21 …
Georgia Tech beat Florida State, 22-16 …
Florida State beat Florida, 27-2 …
Florida beat Ole Miss, 38-10 …
Ole Miss beat Alabama, 43-37
It was just one of those seasons for senior quarterback Scott Hosch. In his first full year starting as the Crimson’s signal caller, Hosch tallied some of the highest statistical totals in Crimson football history and led the Ivy League in virtually every passing category.
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The Harvard football team continued to impress even after season’s end, claiming 18 spots on the All-Ivy first and second teams.
Freshman wide receiver Justice Shelton-Mosley and senior quarterback Scott Hosch were the big winners, with Shelton-Mosley taking home Ivy League Rookie of the Year and Hosch besting the competition to win the New England Player of the Year award.
Shelton-Mosley attained his honor through a unanimous vote by the eight Ivy League coaches. The freshman burst onto the scene in his first season, with highlights including a last second touchdown reception against Dartmouth and three touchdowns to help defeat Yale and clinch for the Crimson its third consecutive Ancient Eight title. He was also All-Ivy second team on offense and first team on special teams as a kick returner.
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Considering the magnitude of The Game, especially this year with Harvard chasing its third straight Ivy title, a standout performer on the football field against Yale was likely to take home Athlete of the Week honors. Justice Shelton-Moseley was the star to take advantage of the big stage, as he delivered several game-changing plays at the Yale Bowl on Saturday. Several other Crimson athletes had performances that were just as commendable, however, as they helped their respective teams secure strong finishes to their seasons.
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While most Harvard student-athletes do not pursue careers in professional sports, a select few are able to make the leap. Not only do some of them make the pros, but some of them also shine.
Dominic Moore ’03 (C, New York Rangers - NHL)
Coming off a successful playoff run last year, Moore has been making major contributions for the New York Rangers who currently stand at the top of their division. Moore lines up at center for the Rangers’ fourth line. Moore was the only Ranger on the board, ending a personal 13-game goal drought. Moore then registered 11:50 playing time in New York’s win against the Florida Panthers on Saturday.
Dominic and his two older brothers, Mark and Steve, were the first-ever brother trio to share the rink at the same time for the Crimson. Moore is currently tied for third in game-winning goals and eighth in career goals for the Crimson.
Alex Killorn ’12 (C, Tampa Bay Lightning - NHL)
Another Harvard alum, Alex Killorn faced off against the Rangers this past week for the fist time since Game 7 of last year's Eastern Conference Finals.
Killorn, centering the Lightning’s third line, scored in the first quarter to establish a lead early on the game, only the second time this season Tampa has held a lead after the first period. The Lightning win ended the Rangers’ chance to equal the longest winning streak in team history. Tampa then blanked the Florida Panthers 5-0 on Saturday where Killorn had one assist. The Lightning improved to 10-9-3 on the season.
Ryan Fitzpatrick ’04 (QB, New York Jets- NFL)
Fitzpatrick faced his former team this week when the New York Jets visited the Houston Texans. The Jets fell to 5-5 on the season this week with a 24-17 loss to the Texans on Sunday. Dreams of a playoff run are quickly fading for the Jets, who started the season with an impressive 4-1 record.
Fitzpatrick started for the Jets after having thumb surgery last week. The former Crimson Quarterback completed 19 of 39 passes for 216 yards with one touchdown and ran in for another touchdown, but two interceptions late in the fourth quarter thwarted any comeback attempt.
Mike Fucito ’09 (F, San Jose Earthquakes- MLS)
Fuctio completed his collegiate career at Harvard ranked fourth in career goals and in assists and led the Crimson to three consecutive NCAA tournament appearances from 2006-08. Fucito was traded to the San Jose Earthquakes from the Portland Timbers in 2013. Fucito has appeared in two games this season for the Earthquakes.
