The 2026 college football season got underway for Harvard on Saturday, and the Crimson made an emphatic statement in their opener, dominating New Hampshire 31-7 at Wildcat Stadium.
Facing a UNH squad that already had three games under its belt, No. 25 Harvard took care of business from start to finish, flexing a relentless defense that forced key turnovers and pulling away with a 24-point second-half surge.
- Subscribe To FloCollege To Watch College Sports Live And On-Demand
- FCS Football Insider: 5 Predictions For Week 3
- FloCollege Staff Week 3 Picks: Lock It In, These Teams Are Winning
Coming off a 9-2 campaign and their third straight Ivy League crown, the Crimson picked up right where they left off to secure their sixth consecutive season-opening victory.
Below, catch up on all the scores, game updates, highlights, and key moments from Harvard’s dominant performance in Durham.
8:02 PM
Final - Harvard 31, New Hampshire 7
Final Stat Leaders:
Harvard:
- Charlie Smith (QB) — 71 Pass YDS
- Cole Allen (WR/RB) — 62 Rush YDS
- Maddux Reid (RB/WR) — 1 REC (22 YDS)
New Hampshire:
- Brooks Bentley (QB) — 186 Pass YDS
- Joquez Smith (RB) — 50 Rush YDS
- Ty Carlson (WR) — 3 REC (56 YDS)
7:59 PM
Final - Harvard 31, New Hampshire 7
Crimson Roll to 31-7 Victory Over Wildcats
That'll do it from Durham! Harvard completely dominates the second half to secure a decisive 31-7 victory over New Hampshire. Behind a relentless defense that forced key turnovers and sacks, along with a multi-touchdown performance by Nathan Bailey and a late scoring drive capped by Xaviah Bascon, the Crimson seal an impressive win on the road.
7:51 PM
4th, 2:05 - Harvard 31, New Hampshire 7
Crimson Defense Answers Short Field With Sack
After a short punt gives New Hampshire the ball at the Harvard 45, the Crimson defense steps right up. On 1st and 10, Mikhal Johnson breaks through the line to sack Brooks Bentley for a 4-yard loss back at the HAR 41.
7:34 PM
4th, 8:48 - Harvard 31, New Hampshire 7
Bascon Punches It In After Smith's Big Dart
Following Charlie Smith’s 22-yard strike to Maddux Reid, Maddux took it left for 2 yards before Xaviah Bascon punched it right through the middle on 2nd and 1 for a 1-yard touchdown. Kieran Corr splits the uprights on the PAT to cap off the drive and blow the game open at 31-7 with under nine minutes remaining!
7:26 PM
4th, 11:39 - Harvard 24, New Hampshire 7
Corr Drill 24-Yarder to Extend Crimson Lead
Harvard opens the fourth quarter by putting points on the board! After driving deep into the red zone, the Crimson face a 4th and 6 at the UNH 6-yard line. Kieran Corr trots out and safely drills the 24-yard field goal, pushing Harvard’s advantage to 24-7 with under 12 minutes to play.
7:16 PM
End 3rd Quarter - Harvard 21, New Hampshire 7
Crimson Defense Keeps Wildcats Silenced in Scoreless Third
Neither team managed to put points on the board in the third quarter, but Harvard’s defense kept complete control of the game. Highlighted by Xaden Benson’s interception on New Hampshire’s Brooks Bentley, the Crimson shut down every attempt at a Wildcats comeback. Harvard enters the final 15 minutes leading 21-7 and holding possession at the UNH 43-yard line.
Third Quarter Stat Leaders:
Harvard:
- Cole Allen (WR/RB) — 62 Rush YDS, 1 REC (5 YDS)
- Nathan Bailey (WR) — 29 Rush YDS, 2 REC (16 YDS), 2 TD
- Charlie Smith (QB) — 47 Pass YDS, 1 TD
- Ryan Tattersall (WR) — 3 REC (16 YDS)
New Hampshire:
- Brooks Bentley (QB) — 123 Pass YDS, 1 Rush TD
- Joquez Smith (RB) — 50 Rush YDS
- Myles Thomason (RB) — 35 Rush YDS
- Ty Carlson (WR) — 3 REC (56 YDS)
- Ryan Ricketti (WR) — 5 REC (33 YDS)
7:11 PM
3rd, 3:48 - Harvard 21, New Hampshire 7
Back-to-Back Penalties Push Crimson Back
Harvard’s drive self-destructs with flags late in the third quarter. After a holding call on Luke Travaglini wipes out a Cole Allen run, a pass completion from Charlie Smith to Nathan Bailey is called back for an illegal formation penalty, backing the Crimson up to 1st and 20 at their own 17-yard line.
6:55 PM
3rd, 7:56 - Harvard 21, New Hampshire 7
Harvard Defense Forces Another Pick
The Crimson defense continues to dominate! Just after New Hampshire picks up a quick first down, Brooks Bentley tries to go over the middle on 1st and 10, but Xaden Benson steps in front of the pass for Harvard’s second interception of the day. The Crimson take back control near midway through the third quarter.
6:51 PM
3rd, 11:00 - Harvard 21, New Hampshire 7
Penalty Stalls Crimson Drive in Wildcats Territory
Harvard pushes into New Hampshire territory to open the second half, but penalties derail the momentum. On 3rd and 8 at the UNH 32, a pass completion is wiped out by an offensive pass interference call on Nathan Bailey. Faced with 3rd and 18, Charlie Smith finds Ryan Tattersall for 5 yards, leaving the Crimson short at the UNH 37.
6:44 PM
3rd, 15:00 - Harvard 21, New Hampshire 7
Third Quarter Underway in Durham
Second-half action gets going as New Hampshire’s Andrew Henaghen kicks off 65 yards into the endzone for a touchback. Harvard will start its opening drive of the third quarter from its own 25-yard line holding a 21-7 lead.
6:23 PM
Halftime - Harvard 21, New Hampshire 7
Halftime Stat Leaders:
Harvard:
- Cole Allen (WR/RB) — 35 Rush YDS, 1 REC (5 YDS)
- Nathan Bailey (WR) — 23 Rush YDS, 2 REC (16 YDS), 2 TD
- Charlie Smith (QB) — 31 Pass YDS, 1 TD
New Hampshire:
- Brooks Bentley (QB) — 112 Pass YDS, 1 Rush TD
- Ty Carlson (WR) — 3 REC (56 YDS)
- Myles Thomason (RB) — 35 Rush YDS
6:21 PM
2nd, 0:18 - Harvard 21, New Hampshire 7
Crimson Strike Again After Interception Late in the Half
Talk about capitalizing! DJ Vincent-Thomas picks off Brooks Bentley at the 0:23 mark to set up Harvard deep in Wildcats territory at the UNH 13. Just five seconds later, Charlie Smith connects over the middle with Nathan Bailey for a 13-yard touchdown pass. Kieran Corr’s PAT makes it 21-7, capping off a wild 14-point flurry in under a minute to close out the half.
6:17 PM
2nd, 0:53 - Harvard 14, New Hampshire 7
Bailey Scampers 23 Yards to Reclaim Crimson Lead
Harvard takes advantage late in the half! On 2nd and 9 from the UNH 23, Nathan Bailey breaks right and sprints all the way to the endzone for a 23-yard touchdown with just 53 seconds remaining. Kieran Corr splits the uprights on the PAT to put Harvard back in front 14-7.
6:08 PM
2nd, 2:58 - Harvard 7, New Hampshire 7
Crimson Defense Delivers Big Turnover on Downs
Huge stop for the Harvard defense! On 4th and 2 at the HAR 30, New Hampshire QB Brooks Bentley tries to scramble right but is brought down by Stephen Scourtis after just a 1-yard gain. The Crimson hold firm to force a turnover on downs and take over possession at their own 29-yard line.
6:00 PM
2nd, 6:02 - Harvard 7, New Hampshire 7
Play Paused for Injury to UNH's Trevor Barry
Injury timeout in Durham with 6:01 remaining in the second quarter. Training staff is on the field tending to New Hampshire player Trevor Barry as both teams wait near the sidelines with the game tied 7-7.
5:52 PM
2nd, 6:44 - Harvard 7, New Hampshire 7
Bentley Punches In First TD to Even the Score
New Hampshire answers right back! On 3rd and 1 from the 1-yard line, QB Brooks Bentley calls his own number and rushes right for a 1-yard touchdown, his first TD for the Wildcats. Lucas Glassburn knocks through the extra point to tie things up 7-7.
5:48 PM
2nd, 11:11 - Harvard 7, New Hampshire 0
Wildcats Respond with Big Pass Play Into the Red Zone
New Hampshire strikes back quickly! On 2nd and 7, Brooks Bentley fires down the middle to Ty Carlson for a huge 40-yard completion, setting up the Wildcats with a 1st down at the Harvard 12-yard line.
5:42 PM
2nd, 11:47 - Harvard 7, New Hampshire 0
Flannery Punches It In for First Points of the Game
Harvard strikes first! Kise Flannery plunges through the middle on 3rd and 1 for a 1-yard touchdown run. Kieran Corr converts the extra point to cap off the drive and break the scoreless tie early in the second quarter.
5:35 PM
End 1st Quarter - Harvard 0, New Hampshire 0
Defenses Dominate Scoreless Opening Quarter
Defenses controlled the opening 15 minutes in Durham, keeping both teams off the board. Harvard and New Hampshire each picked up an early sack as both offenses struggled to gain momentum, leaving things deadlocked 0-0 heading into the second quarter.
1st Quarter Stat Leaders:
Harvard:
- Charlie Smith (QB) — 10 Pass YDS, -5 Rush YDS
- Xaviah Bascon (RB) — 8 Rush YDS, 1 REC (2 YDS)
- Cole Allen (WR) — 3 Rush YDS, 1 REC (5 YDS)
New Hampshire:
- Brooks Bentley (QB) — 33 Pass YDS
- Myles Thomason (RB) — 15 Rush YDS, 1 REC
- Ja'Carree Kelly (WR) — 1 REC (19 YDS)
5:21 PM
1st, 6:46 - Harvard 0, New Hampshire 0
Defensive Battle Early in the First Quarter
Both defenses hold firm as the opening quarter moves past the midway point. Neither side has been able to break into the scoring column yet, keeping things tied 0-0 in Durham.
5:10 PM
1st, 11:38 - Harvard 0, New Hampshire 0
Crimson and Wildcats Kick Off Under the Lights
Harvard takes the field sporting their iconic Crimson Red and white uniforms, while New Hampshire answers in their dark navy blue gear. Both teams settle in early as first-quarter action gets underway.
5:05 PM
Follow FloCollege Socials!
Join The College Football Conversation
- Follow us on Twitter @FloCollegeFB
- Follow us on Instagram @FloCollegeFootball
- Follow us on TikTok @FloCollegeFootball
- Watch us on YouTube
- Like us on Facebook