The Harvard-Yale Football Game, By the Numbers
Even a century ago, Harvard and Yale were facing off, as evidenced by this photo from a 1908 game in New Haven. / Images via Harvard.edu (Seal); Yale University (Seal); Fox (Mr. Burns); Pach Brothers, 935 Broadway, New York, New York (Handsome Dan); Library of Congress’s Prints and Photographs Division (Stadium)
Harvard and Yale generally duke it out in the academic arena, but once a year they take the competition to the football field. The annual matchup has become so legendary that “the Game,” as it’s known, has leapt over the schools’ ivied walls and into pop culture. For proof, look no further than The Simpsons, which casts villain Mr. Burns as a pennant-waving Yalie. (It’s worth noting that the show’s writing roster has included legions of Harvard Lampoon alums.) With the Crimson riding high after nine consecutive victories against Yale, the 133-game tradition comes to Harvard Stadium this month.
12:30 p.m., November 19
Kickoff time for this year’s game.
The Ivy League Showdown on TV
| 22 | 16 |
| Number of Harvard references on The Simpsons. | Number of Yale references on The Simpsons. |
17%
Percentage of Simpsons writers educated at Harvard.
| $2,738,301 | $3,224,275 |
| Dollars spent on Harvard football in 2014. | Dollars spent on Yale football in 2014. |
| 59 | 65 |
| Number of Harvard wins | Number of Yale wins |
| 42 | 35 |
| Harvard’s number of varsity sports teams. | Yale’s number of varsity sports teams. |
| 8 | 0 |
| Number of Harvard athletes currently in the NFL. | Number of Yale athletes currently in the NFL. |
| 394 | 191 |
| Number of Ivy League championships won by Harvard since 1956. | Number of Ivy League championships won by Yale since 1956. |
$5 million
Cost of 2006–2007 Harvard Stadium renovation project.
“Handsome Dan”
Name of Yale’s mascot.
Notable Rivalry Moments
1875
The first Harvard-Yale football game, known as “the Game,” is held in New Haven, Connecticut.
1894
After the “Springfield Massacre,” during which seven players were carried off the field in “dying condition,” the Game ceases.
1897
The Game starts back up.
1968
Harvard ties Yale 29–29.
1982
MIT steals the show with its weather balloon prank.
2004
Yale tricks Harvard fans into holding up signs that read, “We suck.”
2005
Harvard wins the first triple-overtime game in Ivy League history, 30–24.
