GAME OF THE YEAR RUNNER-UP: Princeton, Refs Foil Crimson

It was the most anticipated meeting of two ancient rivals in 84 years when No. 15 Harvard and No. 21 Princeton met on Oct. 21.

For the first time since 1922, both teams entered the game with at least five wins and no losses. That 1922 Princeton squad, known as the Tigers’ “Team of Destiny,” went on to win the national championship after downing the Crimson, 10-3.

This year, it was the Ivy title at stake, and in front of 16,284 partisans at Princeton Stadium, the Tigers scored late to take a 31-28 squeaker.

Trailing 24-14 at the break, the Crimson roared back in the third quarter, scoring on a touchdown plunge by senior running back Clifton Dawson on the opening drive.

Junior quarterback Liam O’Hagan then connected with junior Corey Mazza for a 15-yard touchdown that gave Harvard a 28-24 lead.

After a series of punts, the Crimson appeared to be driving for an insurance score when, with 6:31 to play in the fourth quarter, a trick-play pass from sophomore wideout Chris Sanders was intercepted.

The Tigers promptly drove on the short field, only to face third-and-four at the Crimson 39. A third-down pass was apparently broken up, but a controversial unsportsmanlike conduct penalty was called, giving the Tigers new life.

Two plays later, Princeton quarterback Jeff Terrell hit Brendan Circle for a 20-yard touchdown pass and a 31-28 lead.

“I’m not anybody who gets down on officials,” coach Tim Murphy said. “They’ve got a tough job, but I haven’t seen that call in college football, in the Ivy League.”

Harvard had two more drives, but both ended on interceptions by the Tiger’s Kevin Kelleher.

—Staff writer Brad Hinshelwood can be reached at bhinshel@fas.harvard.edu.