The Bulldogs have had an exciting couple of weeks following their victory over the Crimson during The Game on Nov. 18, naming their Team 151 Captain and earning a variety of honors to close out the 2023 season. 

“I am most proud of how this team came together when it mattered the most,” Team 150 captain and defensive back Wande Owens ’24 said. “We had a rocky start, but we kept at it, found our identity, and latched onto it. The season is never easy, and I am very proud of our resilience and ability to withstand the rain.”

The Blue and White saw success on both sides of the ball during the 2023 season. Offensively, Yale finished second in the Ivy League in scoring offense. Quarterback Nolan Grooms ’24 led the league in passing touchdowns (22) and passing efficiency (149.6), while wide receiver Mason Tipton ’24 ranked first in the league and 10th in the FCS with 10 touchdown receptions as well as third with 786 receiving yards. 

Yale ranks first in the FCS in blocked punts (5), second in blocked kicks (6), fourth in 3rd down conversion percentage (.490), 13th in kickoff returns (23.00) and 18th in team passing efficiency (148.36).

Defensively, Yale had 129.8 yards per game of rushing defense, an average of 19.90 points per game in scoring defense. The Bulldogs rank 24th in the FCS in team passing efficiency defense (117.38) and had a total of 22.0 team sacks this season, ranking sixth in the FCS in tackles for loss (75.0). 

“I’m really proud of the team,” head coach Tony Reno said to Yale Athletics. “It wasn’t an easy season. We had to fight through so many things, and when we finally got a foothold, it was like we exploded.”

The annual postseason banquet was held on Sunday Nov. 19 following The Game at the Cullman-Heyman Tennis Center. The team’s 26 seniors were honored at the Banquet, in addition to the announcement of the team captain of Team 151 and the team awards.  

Linebacker Dean Shaffer ’25 was elected captain of Team 151, which will play next year in the 2024 season. Shaffer has served as a leader within the linebacker group throughout his time at Yale and now will lead the entire team, following in Owens’ footsteps. 

“Dean has been a great leader for us as an underclassman,” Reno said to Yale Athletics. “There isn’t a better person than Dean to bring Team 151 together. I’m excited to see his growth as a captain.”

The Charles Lotus Award, awarded to the most valuable first-year player, was given to defensive back Osize Daniyan ’27, both the James Keppel Award for offensive players and the Jordan Olivar Award were given to wide receiver Mason Tipton ’24 and the Greg Dubinetz Award for linemen was given to defensive lineman Clay Patterson ’24 and offensive lineman Jonathon Durand ’24. 

Linebacker Joseph Vaughn ’24 and running back Spencer Alston ’24 earned the Chester J. LaRoche Award, offensive lineman Jonathan Mendoza ’24 and wide receiver Aidan Maloney ’24 earned the Frederic Woodrow “Woody” Knapp Memorial Trophy and kicker/punter Jack Bosman ’24 earned the Ledyard Mitchell Award for proficiency in kicking. 

Offensive lineman Kiran Amegadjie ’24 received the Ted Turner Award for interior linemen. 

“The moment this season that stands out to me as the most important was the week following the Cornell loss,” Owens said. “Personally, I was stressed about the team’s lack of success, and did some soul-searching with Coach Reno and the other leaders of this team to turn the season around both mentally and physically.”

Other awards given to players were the Hammer, Yale Football Captains, Special Teams, D-Line and Edwin Foster (“Ted”) Blair Awards, given to linebacker Jermaine Baker ’24, Owens, wide receiver Joey Felton ’24, Patterson and Vaughn, respectively. 

On Nov. 20, Vaughn was named Ivy League Defensive Player of the Week for the second week in a row. During The Game, Vaughn had an interception and forced a fumble, in addition to a team-leading 10 tackles, which included seven solo stops and 1.5 for loss. Vaughn completed the season with 88 total tackles. 

Vaughn ranks first in the Ivy League with an average of 1.3 tackles for loss per game and ranked third with an average of 8.8 total tackles per game. Vaughn’s contributions and the efforts of the rest of the Bulldog defense limited Harvard to only 73 yards of rushing offense. 

“We had so many guys contribute,” Reno said to Yale Athletics. “There are names you don’t even know that made amazing contributions to this team whether it was on the scout team on a Tuesday or blocking a kick or running down a kickoff. That’s who we were.”

Defensive lineman Zion Dayne ’24, who blocked a punt for the second consecutive game, Daniyan, who broke up a pass and made four tackles and running back Joshua Pitsenberger ’26 who rushed for 99 yards were also listed on the Ivy Honor Roll. 

On Nov. 21, 14 members of Team 150 received All-Ivy recognition, with seven earning First Team All-Ivy, two earning Second Team All-Ivy, four earning Honorable Mention All-Ivy and one earning Academic All-Ivy recognition. 

Offensively, Amegadjie, Mendoza, Tipton and Grooms all earned First Team All-Ivy. Patterson,Vaughn and Owens all were named as First Team All-Ivy defense. 

“I am most proud of the resiliency that Team 150 showed throughout the season,” Shaffer said. “Starting off a season with two consecutive losses is a very disheartening way to kick the season off, but the team was able to bounce back and put together a championship season. A very impressive feat that took a lot of dedication and hard work from our guys.”

Tight end Jackson Hawes ’24 and Pitsenberger were named Second Team All-Ivy Offensive players, and offensive lineman Michael Bennett ’26, defensive lineman Alvin Gulley, Jr. ’25, linebacker Hamilton Moore ’24 and defensive back Sean Guyton ’25 received Honorable Mention All-Ivy recognition. Durand was also selected Academic All-Ivy. 

On Nov. 27, the New England Football Writers Association announced their 2023 All-New England team, which honors the best Division I players by position in New England every season. They recognized Vaughn, Owens and Tipton. Owens ranks second on the team in tackles, behind Vaughn, with 55. 

“I am looking forward to discovering what the identity of Team 151 will be,” Shaffer said. “Each team at Yale has a life and history of its own, so as we close out Team 150 it is important that we begin to uncover what Team 151’s identity will be as we begin our off-season.”

The Yale football team’s most recent accomplishment was on Nov. 28, when Grooms was named a finalist, alongside Brown wide receiver Wes Rockett, for the Asa S. Bushnell Cup as the Ivy League Offensive Player of the Year. Grooms received the honor last year, and winning the award this year made him the second player in Yale history and the sixth in league history to do so. 

During the 2023 season, Grooms ranked first in the league with 22 passing touchdowns and had a total of 2,451 yards of offense — 1,863 yards throwing and 588 rushing. 

The Bushnell Cup recipient is determined by the Ivy League’s eight head football coaches and is given to the player who demonstrates leadership, competitive spirit, team contribution and accomplishments in play. 

“Team 151 feels motivated and ready to begin our journey,” Shaffer said. “I am extremely excited to help lead this team into our off-season training.”

The Ivy League Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year will be announced at the New York Athletic Club on Dec. 11 at a press conference and reception co-hosted by the National Football Foundation (NFF) and the Ivy League. 

The post FOOTBALL: Season of success, a look toward Team 151 appeared first on Yale Daily News.

In a defensive battle, the Bulldogs prevailed, coming up with the big plays when they were needed, just as they have all season.

“This team has fought through a lot this season, from the first game to now,” head coach Tony Reno said. “I’m just really proud of the resolve that these guys have had. An incredible captain, incredible senior leadership and it showed today.”

The 139th edition of The Game was decided with less than six minutes left when quarterback Nolan Grooms ’24 found wide receiver David Pantelis ’25 in the corner of the endzone to put the Bulldogs ahead.

It was a fitting end to a contest in which both teams looked to their skill position players to make the breakthrough plays, as both defenses were strong all afternoon. Much of the Yale offense on the day came from running back Joshua Pitsenberger ’26, who gained 99 rushing yards individually compared to the team’s 90 passing yards. 

“[The group of receivers is] really a great thing to have,” Grooms said. “Teams really [try] to double cover Mason and expect to stop us. You’ve got Ryan Lindley who’s been a little banged up the last couple weeks, but he’s one of the best receivers in the league, and you got David Pantelis who was our leading receiver last year, we got him back the last three games.”

Despite the strong work of the receivers, the Yale defense was the story of the day. In a rivalry game with a share of the Ivy League title on the line, the Elis’ defense only allowed 318 yards, forcing an interception and a timely fumble. 

The last play of The Game was a perfect encapsulation of the day for the Bulldog defense. Crimson quarterback Jaden Craig, facing fourth-and-14 from the Yale 33-yard line following an Abu Kamara ’27 sack, was once again hurried by the pass rush and flung an incomplete pass into the endzone. 

To the delight of the Yale fans making up a sizable portion of the 51,127-person crowd, cornerback Sean Guyton ’25 was there to once again thwart the Harvard offense, swatting the ball to the ground to ensure a Bulldogs win.

As fans stormed the field following a final kneel down by Grooms to cap an excellent Yale career for the quarterback, the excitement doubled as the victory was both a win over the Crimson and the final piece needed to secure back-to-back Ivy League Championships for the Bulldogs.

The 139th edition of The Game secured the Bulldogs their third Ivy League championship in the past four seasons.

The post THE GAME: Ivy Champions again, Team 150 defeats Harvard appeared first on Yale Daily News.

Boola Boola!

— Collyn Robinson ’25, Multimedia Managing Editor, and Anika Arora Seth ’25, Editor in Chief & President

Live updates from the Yale Bowl below

Fourth quarter

The clock is out. Bulldogs win, 23-18. With today’s Crimson defeat, Yale has earned its second consecutive Ivy football crown, as Yale and Harvard are tied at an overall league record of 5-2. 

Harvard brings it up to 18, but Yale still holds 23. Less than 30 seconds remain in The Game.

Yale brings it back as the Bulldogs score a touchdown and flip The Game back to their lead, 23-17.

With 7:42 left in the fourth quarter, Harvard intercepts a pass from quarterback Nolan Grooms ’24. 

The Crimson turns it around and picks up a narrow lead, 18-17, after scoring a touchdown with roughly 10 minutes on the clock.

Now approaching the final stretch, Harvard’s Jaden Craig runs 7 yards and scores a touchdown for the Crimson. With 14:57 left in the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs’ lead is narrowing as the score stands at 17-12. 

– Anika Arora Seth, Editor in Chief & President

Third quarter

The Bulldogs come back biting as Nathan Denney ’25 completes a 4-yard run for a touchdown, bringing the score to 17-6. The third quarter has 4:42 on the clock.

– Anika Arora Seth, Editor in Chief & President

Halftime

1:47 p.m.

Some individuals in the Yale stands can be seen waving signs calling for ceasefire, banners reading “Free Palestine” and Palestinian flags. No large-scale protest took place on the field. 

Photo by Samad Hakani, Photography Editor

As The Game continues, the “doxxing truck” — which arrived at Yale on Thursday, Nov. 16 — was seen near the Yale Bowl this morning. By Friday, the truck had broadcasted the names and faces of at least 15 Yale graduate students, most of whom are of color. Today, the truck displays the names and faces of both Yale and Harvard students labeled as “Leading Antisemites” from their respective schools.

The truck has also made previous visits to other schools, including Harvard and Columbia University, and was last seen in Cambridge in mid-October.

– Anika Arora Seth, Editor in Chief & President

1:33 p.m.

There appears to be strong police presence on the field — certainly stronger than in 2021, the last time Yale hosted The Game. Yesterday, the University announced in an email to students that “unauthorized spectators” who attempt to access the field could be subject to arrest. The University did not tell the News whether the email, which also barred large signs and banners, came in response to escalating campus tensions related to the war in Israel and Gaza.

– Anika Arora Seth, Editor in Chief & President

Photo by Yash Roy, Contributing Photographer

Second quarter

Harvard is trying to catch up. The Crimson sacks and runs, scoring a touchdown and bringing the score to 10-6 with 1:08 remaining in the second.

The Bulldogs bag a touchdown, with quarterback Nolan Grooms ’24 passing to wide receiver Ryan Lindley ’24, at 10:28 left in the second quarter. The score stands at 10-0.

– Anika Arora Seth, Editor in Chief & President

First quarter

Yale takes the lead with a field goal at 1:05 remaining in the first, making the score 3-0. Kicker/punter Jack Bosman ’24 makes it in. 

– Spencer King, Sports Editor

Game Day, 9:00 a.m.

The Yale football team (6–3, 4–2 Ivy) will look to defeat the visiting Harvard Crimson (8–1, 5–1 Ivy) in the 139th edition of The Game to earn a share of the Ivy League Championship. If they succeed, the Bulldogs will earn their second consecutive Ivy League title — albeit one shared with Harvard. 

This might be the first football game that many Elis have ever seen — if this sounds like you, we at the News have put together a guide to football that might help you out going into game day. You can also check out this more in-depth preview of this year’s Yale-Harvard game. 

This year’s game day also brings with it new restrictions on posters and protests. On Friday morning, University administrators emailed students prohibiting “large banners or signs” and informing them that “unauthorized spectators” who try to access the field will be escorted out of the Bowl and could be arrested. 

In anticipation of The Game, it is also crucial to understand the stakes. The Bulldogs enter this year’s showdown sitting in second place in the Ivy League. The Crimson holds the top spot. But if Yale takes down Harvard today, the teams will tie at five-conference wins, making the Bulldogs back-to-back champions. 

Most of all, enjoy the day and go cheer on Team 150! It has been an amazing year, with lots to cheer for, so here’s hoping for one more win on the season!

– Spencer King, Sports Editor

The post FOOTBALL: Bulldogs beat Harvard 23-18, earn back-to-back Ivy titles appeared first on Yale Daily News.

In the Nov. 17 message, Associate Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Student Engagement Burgwell J. Howard and Dean of Students and Senior Associate Dean in Yale College Melanie Boyd provided information and resources for the 139th annual Yale-Harvard football game. Among the information provided in the email was a section labeled “Be Smart,” informing students that the University “expects” they will refrain from disrupting the annual sporting event.

In 2021, the last time that Yale hosted The Game, these specific restrictions — the prohibition of “large banners or signs” and the possible arrest of spectators who attempt to access the field — were not publicized to students on that year’s game day information page.  

Chief of Yale Police Anthony Campbell wrote to the News that while spectators may bring smaller posters and signs to the Yale Bowl, they cannot bring those that “would obstruct the view of spectators” — such as a banner that needs to be held by more than one individual.

The information comes amid a flurry of student activism, alumni concerns and related occurrences — including protests, petitions, rallies, student safety concerns and, most recently, a doxxing campaign — in the wake of the escalating Israel-Hamas war. Yesterday morning, a truck arrived on Yale’s campus with the names and faces of at least 15 graduate students — most of whom are of color — emblazoned on the vehicle’s sides. The “doxxing truck” has made its rounds at other Ivy League schools, including Harvard University, and was still in New Haven on Friday evening. 

The News asked the University if the new policies come in light of growing tensions or in anticipation of student demonstrations on game day, but the University did not directly respond to those questions.

“The Game is a reunion of friends, but ultimately is a sporting event,” Boyd and Howard wrote in their Nov. 17 email.  “We expect that all fans will respect the hard work of the student-athletes and will refrain from any disruptions that could detract from the event.”

In 2019, at least 150 Yale and Harvard alumni and students stormed the Yale Bowl field to demand that both universities divest from fossil fuels.

The demonstration delayed the start of the second half of the game and drew national attention, with messages of support for the student activists coming from both Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders.

“Yale always has concerns about that since 2019,” Campbell told the New Haven Register. “We’re on a constant learning curve with regard to how to deal with disruptions. We have safety plans in place, and if there are any disruptions, we will be able to address it pretty quickly.”

Per Yale’s policy on free expression and peaceable assembly, disruption of University events is not permitted. This includes any activity that might disrupt or interfere with University events or operations, block access to facilities, restrict others’ ability to listen or be heard or create safety concerns.

The New Haven Register reported yesterday that Yale and New Haven are planning on increased police presence at tomorrow’s game. 

 “Our goal is to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone attending the game,” Campbell wrote in an email to the News. “To achieve this, we have a comprehensive security plan in place, drawing from lessons learned from the past games with high attendance. We are prepared to address any potential disruptions that may occur.”

In a joint social media post earlier this week, student groups at Harvard and Yale described their plans to convene under the scoreboard at halftime while donning keffiyehs, or Palestinian scarves.

The University did not tell the News whether such action by student groups would comply with or violate the regulations promoted today or any of Yale’s existing policies. Since last month, when the war between Israel and Hamas began, Yale has “increased security on and around campus” and reached out to individuals “with ties to the region” to offer support, the University said on Nov. 17. 

The University added that its priority has been “the safety and well-being of the campus community,” referring to an Oct. 13 message from Campbell that pointed community members to safety resources.

In a Nov. 3 interview with the News, University President Peter Salovey reaffirmed Yale’s commitment to upholding its policies on freedom of expression despite any “difficult moments” it might create for the administration.

“In general, on whatever side of an issue people are, I think we should encourage open expression,” Salovey said. “I’d like that expression to be one that is informed and responsible; of course,  it cannot be one that is threatening, it cannot be harassing, it cannot incite violence but having said that, I don’t think we should encourage behaviors that stifle that expression and that includes canceling people or doxxing people.”

The Woodward report, which guides the University’s policies on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, was adopted by the University in 1975. 

Spencer King contributed reporting.

The post University blocks large posters, possible protests at Yale-Harvard game appeared first on Yale Daily News.

Bulldogs wide receiver Joey Felton ’24 made a remarkable comeback in the 2022 season after walking off the Yale football team due to his diagnosis of spondylolisthesis in August 2021. 

Early into the 2021 season, Felton reported pain in his lower back, and when attempting dynamic activities, he experienced excruciating pain down into his calf. MRI imaging confirmed that his vertebrae had slipped forward, raising particular concern for his L5-S1 vertebrae. His surgeon discovered a 60 to 70 percent slip, resulting in pinched nerves and a disintegrated disc.

“There was no definitive impact that caused the injury,” Felton said. “It all just happened at once.”

After months of attempted rehab, Felton reached the point of being unable to stand for more than 10 minutes at a time. He decided to take a leave of absence from Yale in the fall of 2021 to focus on his health and recovery.

In November 2021, Felton underwent remediative surgery at The John Hopkins Hospital. After remaining in the hospital for a week post-surgery, he continued to use a walker and rely heavily upon his family members to complete ordinary, mundane tasks. 

“In spring 2021, when I met with Dr. Gardner, she said that there was a good likelihood that I wouldn’t be able to play again,” Felton said. “Nobody she knew of, except maybe a few cases out there in the NFL, had this injury and came back successfully.”

Despite the pessimism of his medical team, Felton said he decided that he could not relinquish the hopes of his athletic career before at least attempting a comeback.

Before his diagnosis, Felton had shown promise in his rookie year at Yale in 2019. The speedy wideout featured primarily on kickoff returns, where he averaged an impressive 48.6 return yards a game.

He rejoined the team in spring 2022, but could not participate in practice until he was medically cleared to run in July 2022.

When retelling his journey back to the starting lineup of Yale’s offensive unit, Felton recounted his struggles against the psychological barriers of the 2022 season.

“My skills were never the problem; it was my confidence. I had been out of football for two years, out of training for two years, and I play one of the most skilled positions on the team,” Felton said.

He found himself avoiding catching the ball across the middle, worried about reinjury upon contact. 

However, he refused to allow either the physical or the mental obstacles to keep him out of the Bulldogs lineup.

“You don’t love something until you lose it and I lost football for a while,” Felton said. “Just coming back and just being able to play and being around a team, it’s special. I value that more than anything really.”

Tony Reno, head coach of the Yale football team, had much to say about his team generally and Felton’s comeback specifically. 

Reno spoke highly of the tight-knit bond he observes amongst his players, commenting on the “strong culture with an internal fire” that fuels the program.

“I’m my proudest when observing that the guys are really tight, and they’ll support each other, they’ll challenge each other, and they’ll be there for each other,” Reno said. “These are relationships that my players will have for the rest of their lives.”

Reno continued to explain that he strives to run a transformational team, geared toward producing strong leaders to spearhead the team, as opposed to a transactional team.

The “football family” remains the foundation of Reno’s team.

“Our guys understand that when you’re chasing something really high, it’s never easy; we’re inevitably going to have moments of adversity,” Reno said. “Anytime a player goes out, whether they’re a starter or not, it affects the team drastically because we need everybody for our team to perform at the highest level.”

In addition to praising his players for their hard work, dedication and drive, Reno also highlighted the diligence that allowed Felton to rejoin the Bulldog team.

In spring 2023, the coaching staff knew that there was only so much Felton could do, but inevitably the eager player strived to outperform those expectations. 

“We saw his explosiveness come back,” Reno said. “Just like that, he was out there doing things that he had done previous to the injury. He’s better and faster than he was before the injury, which speaks volumes to the resolve he’s had just to fight back.”

Felton’s contributions to the offensive team factor into the parity across the 2023 Ivy League football season, as Reno stated that this season might mark the most well-matched the eight universities have ever been.

After returning from injury, Felton has factored back into the high-flying Bulldogs offense. The senior boasts eight catches on the year for 99 yards and two touchdowns.

To conclude the 2023 season, the Yale Bulldogs will face off against the Harvard Crimson on Nov. 19 at 12:00 p.m. in the 139th historical showdown.

The post From walker to wide receiver: Joey Felton ’24 appeared first on Yale Daily News.

On Friday, Nov. 17, three comedy groups, two from Yale and one from Harvard, will perform in the first-ever “Leftover Turkey Sandwich Show.” The show will feature Yale sketch comedy group The Fifth Humour, Yale improv group The Purple Crayon and Harvard improv group On Thin Ice. 

Traditionally, The Purple Crayon and On Thin Ice have put on a show the weekend of The Game, while The Fifth Humour has always put on a show before Thanksgiving called “Dranksgiving.” However, this year, 5H Co-director Betty Kubovy-Weiss ’25 decided to reach out to Harvard sketch groups to do a joint show. Since Harvard does not have any sketch groups, Kubovy-Weiss said she decided to reach out to Harvard improv groups, and On Thin Ice was excited about the proposal. The result: a three-way joint show bound to produce some giggles. 

“This year we’re doing something different and hoping that maybe moving forward will be a big annual show. It’s a very new territory for us,” Kubovy-Weiss told the News. 

Although it is a joint show, they are not blending sketch and comedy. 

The show will consist of three separate acts where each group will have the opportunity to showcase their work.  Kubovy-Weiss said 5H had entertained the idea of working together with the other groups, but they did not think that there would be enough time to prepare considering On Thin Ice is coming from Harvard. Each group wanted to present their best work and feel well-prepared, so she said they decided that doing individual acts would help them achieve these goals. 

To prepare for this show and others, 5H typically meets twice a week to write new sketches and suggest edits. Then, they typically start rehearsing about a week and a half in advance, according to Kubovy-Weiss. They typically average three shows per semester, some of which include their family weekend show and their senior show. 

The Leftover Turkey Sandwich Show will not be much different from their other shows. While the show is the weekend of The Game, the majority of the content will not be game-related, according to Kubovy-Weiss. They will include some Thanksgiving content and perhaps open the show with a few football jokes.

“We are just putting on five sketches that we normally would for any other weekend so that people can see what our group just kinda does,” said 5H Co-director Dean Farella ’26.

Despite the theme of the weekend being rivalry, the purpose is for the groups to share their comedic talents.

“Comedy transcends the feud,” said 5H new tap Dora Molot ’27.

The stands of the Bowl will not be the only packed venue filled with nerves and excitement this weekend. This show is already oversold, and many 5H members told the News they are excited about this incredible opportunity.

“I am excited! Last time I checked the show was 50 seats oversold, so it’s definitely going to be packed, but I’m excited for that,” 5H member Charles Englander ’27 said. “It can certainly be nerve-racking but when it all works out it’s extremely fun and I’m looking forward to it!” 

The show will be held at 7:00 p.m. in the Dunham Laboratory Auditorium with a comedy mixer to follow. 

The post ‘Comedy transcends the feud’: Yale and Harvard comedy groups to host a comedic feast appeared first on Yale Daily News.

As the 139th playing of The Game unfolds at the Yale Bowl, football should not bamboozle Yale alumni, students or guests. This “how-to” guide demystifies football to its most basic foundations. 

For Elis, this should come easily, as football is in our blood. Walter Camp, class of 1880, is widely known as the “Father of American Football” for the crucial role he played in establishing the rules of the game. 

Football includes four 15-minute quarters, with a 20-minute break separating each 30-minute half of gameplay. The field stretches 120 yards in length and 53.3 yards in width, as 10-yard end zones fill the boundaries of each side of the field. While 60 minutes in length, The Game will last around 3.5 hours due to intermissions, timeouts and official reviews.

The objective of the game is to advance the ball into the opponent’s end zone, either via pass or run. The offense has four downs to move the ball 10 yards. Once they surpass the 10-yard threshold, a new slate of downs begins. 

However, on fourth down, the offense can elect to risk possession of the ball for a first down or punt the ball away from their end zone.

The offensive side of the ball includes the quarterback, offensive linemen, wide receivers, running backs and tight ends. 

The quarterback serves as the offense’s command center, dictating plays by throwing the ball to wide receivers or handing the ball off to a running back. For Yale, this is No. 12 Nolan Grooms ’24 who was last season’s Ivy League Offensive Player of the Year. The offensive linemen protect the quarterback from oncoming defenders before he launches the ball to his slate of receivers.

Wide receivers and tight ends play a hybrid role on the offense. They catch the ball from the quarterback during passing situations and block during running opportunities. 

The defense attempts to stop the offense’s drive to the end zone. They intend to tackle opponents before they cross the first-down barrier. Watch out for two pivotal defensive plays. 

An interception occurs when a defender snatches a pass from the quarterback intended for an offensive player. A fumble transpires when a defender punches away the ball from the ball carrier and recovers it. Both types of turnovers give the defensive team possession of the football.

The point system in football is quite simple. A touchdown, when the offense enters the endzone, provides six points to the offense. They are given the opportunity to kick a field goal through the uprights for one additional point or attempt to enter the endzone from the two-yard line for an additional two points. 

When stopped before entering the endzone, the offense can elect to kick a field goal for an additional three points.

The rules of football are fairly simple when broken down. Hours of exhaustion, sweat and emotional distress culminate into a marvelous display. 

So when Nolan Grooms passes to Mason Tipton ’24 for a touchdown, you should understand the cacophony of cheers in the Yale Bowl.

Yale is set to play Harvard at noon on Saturday, Nov. 18.

The post The rules of football appeared first on Yale Daily News.

One such rivalry — possibly the most fearsome in collegiate athletics — is Michigan vs. Ohio State. Ironically, when these two teams match up against each other, it is also called “The Game.” And for this one, millions of eyes around the country are glued to their TV sets for Fox’s national Big Noon Kickoff coverage. 

“Michigan vs. Ohio State goes beyond football,” Penn State undergrad Jacob Zucker told the News. “I met somebody in Ohio that wasn’t an Ohio State fan, but he said he would never step foot in the state of Michigan. He grew up hating the state of Michigan.”

What differentiates rivalries like Michigan-Ohio State from Yale-Harvard is that the rivalry extends beyond student enthusiasm. The resentment is omnipresent, according to Zucker. It is about statehood, not alumni status, he explained. Affiliation with either school has little impact on fans’ investment in the competition. 

When it comes to garnering outside support, Yale-Harvard struggles to keep up. Generally, no New Haveners, much less all residents of Connecticut, care so much about the Yale-Harvard rivalry that they would refuse to step foot in Massachusetts, or even Boston. 

Down in Alabama, The Iron Bowl — the annual Auburn-Alabama matchup — is so culturally significant that one cannot even live in the state without being constantly pestered about which team they support, according to Cailin White, an Auburn undergraduate who moved to Alabama when she was 13 years old. 

“When I moved to Alabama, I quickly discovered that to live here you’re either an Auburn fan or a Bama fan,” said White.

The college rivalry is a deep-rooted part of Alabama’s culture, having been an annual tradition since 1893. 

Families clash over it at the dinner table. Children are raised to pick sides. It is just a part of living in the state – a part of the lifestyle, White said. 

“We had Auburn and Alabama-themed dress-up days and fundraisers in elementary school. The rivalry starts so young,” Evan White, who is from Alabama and is a student at Tuskegee University, told the News. 

The rivalry is so intense that after an Iron Bowl loss in 2010, Alabama fan Harvey Updyke Jr. poisoned the iconic Toomer’s Oaks, the beloved decades-old trees that Auburn fans roll in toilet paper after every win. Updyke was sentenced to six months in jail for the killing of the beloved Auburn trees.

The loss of the historic trees devastated the Auburn community around the country.

“I wanted Auburn people to hate me as much as I hate them,” Updyke told CBS News. “There are several things in this world that I really and truly don’t like, and Auburn is one of them.”

Now, when it comes to student enthusiasm for the rivalry, Yale-Harvard holds its own with the other big games. 

When it comes time for kickoff in such big rivalry games, students are much more than just fans. They are a highly trained squadron, and they are more than capable of wreaking havoc on the opposing team. By the time rivalry week rolls around, they are operating as a well-oiled machine.  

“The Penn State fans and the students feel like they have a job to do just like the players,” said Zucker.  “Defend home field at all costs. The student section has the same mentality as the team – it’s all about winning and execution.”

Yale students show just as much school spirit and enthusiasm the week of The Game as students at any other one of the aforementioned schools. 

The entire week leading up to The Game, Yale’s campus is packed with rivalry-themed events. Come gameday, students tailgate and support their team as zealously as any Big 10 or SEC student section. The gameday energy is right up there with the best of them.

Possibly the greatest prank against another team in college sports was pulled off by Yale students in 2004. 

Elis dressed as a “Harvard Pep Squad” and passed out 1,800 pieces of red and white construction paper to Crimson fans, telling the crowd that when they held up the pieces of paper, they would spell out “Go Harvard.” The Yalies’ plan fell right into place as Harvard fans unknowingly spelled out “We Suck” across a section of their stadium.  

Even if the Ivy rivalry may not draw as fanatic fans as some of the other games do, the institutional competition between Yale and Harvard stands alone. Both schools personify tradition like no other. After all, their historic legacies do predate the founding of the United States. 

“The birth of America was in the Northeast. Yale and Harvard, they’re synonymous with the birth of our nation,” a University of Southern California graduate who is from Los Angeles Justin Petrille said. “They’re the two most historic schools of our country, and they’ve always been rivals to one another. Yale-Harvard, everyone knows that — even if you’re not a sports fan.”

The first Yale-Harvard football game was played in 1875.

The post How does the Yale-Harvard rivalry stack up against other great college football rivalries? appeared first on Yale Daily News.

As history has proven, Yale has taken home the head-to-head rivalry 69 times, Harvard has claimed it 61 times and the two teams have tied a total of 8 times. Anthony Belanger, director of sports performance and student-athlete innovation, spoke about on Yale football’s approach to nutrition and weight training going into this game. 

“We educate our student-athletes throughout the year on nutrition and best practices,” said Belander. “They do a great job of being committed to the process. Every individual is different, regardless of position group, so we truly keep that in mind when providing information. We take every game week the same; the preparation doesn’t need to change, only what needs to be achieved.”

Before last year’s game, the News also spoke to the Bulldogs’ middle linebacker Hamilton Moore ’24 and asked him how he prepared for The Game. 

He said his approach to The Game included as much mental preparation as physical preparation. 

“A big thing is getting these reps mentally by seeing yourself react to these plays and how the lineman acts through videos,” said Moore. “That way, you have practiced this play, and it’s not surprising to you the first time they run that play in the game.” 

Head coach Tony Reno has coined the term “gritty not pretty” on and off the field, having the same mentality all season.

When it comes to the Bulldogs being ready for action, Reno said the Bulldogs are ready to fight to the end.

“We’re very familiar with playing gritty football,” head coach Tony Reno told the News earlier this season. “We’re kind of, as you say, gritty not pretty. We like the muck, that’s who we are. We like the muck and that’s how we play. That’s how we do things, we love adversity.”

Three days out from game day, Moore said he was looking ahead and boosts his team’s preparedness.

“The team does a phenomenal job of coming in every day with the mindset that ‘this is my job to do today, and I am going to do it at the highest level,”said Moore. “It’s part of what makes working with them so special and why the team has been able to achieve what they have throughout their collegiate careers.” 

In the history of Yale-Harvard football games, Yale holds the record for the largest victory, dominating the Crimson 54–0 in 1957.

Kate Estevez | kate.estevez@yale.edu 

The post How do the Bulldogs prepare for the Yale-Harvard game? appeared first on Yale Daily News.

This year, the stakes are even higher, as Yale (6–3, 4–2 Ivy) has a chance to win a share of the Ivy League title along with Harvard (8–1, 5–1 Ivy). Despite the pressure, Reno plans to remain consistent and keep with the pace of the overall season.

“I’m truly blessed to have the opportunity to coach this football family,” Reno said. “I look at my job as a chance to make sure I’m doing right by every player and coach that was a part of this football family tradition. How do we build upon that tradition? How do we make it better? I think a large part of my job isn’t just winning, but building leadership within [my players].”

Tony Reno began his career at Yale in 2003 as a wide receivers coach, becoming a defensive backs coach in 2004 and holding that position until 2008. He then went up north to be Harvard’s special team coordinator and defensive secondary coach. In 2012, Reno was hired as the Joel E. Smilow ’54 Head Coach of Football, leading the Bulldogs to three Ivy League championships in 2017, 2019 and 2022. 

After playing for the Worcester State football team in college, Reno realized that he wanted to pursue football as a career. 

“When I was a senior in college, my coach said, ‘What do you want to do? Why don’t you do something love?’” Reno recalled. “I really love to play football. He helped me get a job at a small school in Pennsylvania as an intern, making $3,000 a year. I loved it and worked my way up from there.”

Reno says his strategy for coaching begins with leadership, as he seeks to create a football culture based on relationships between players, as opposed to purely winning games. The team has a four-year leadership program with Sebastian Little Performance, founded by former player Sebastian Little ’15.

Currently, three Bulldogs Reno has coached are playing in the NFL. Dieter Eiselen ’19 is currently playing for the Houston Texans while Rodney Thomas II ’21 is seeing lots of playing time for the Indianapolis Colts in his second season in the NFL. Most notably, Foyesade Oluokun ’17 has seen massive success in his NFL career, leading the NFL in tackles for the past two seasons.

In spite of the pressure of The Game, Reno is excited about the opportunity for growth for his players. His coaching philosophy underscores players’ response to setbacks, preaching that “response is twice as important as the event.”

“I’ve been very fortunate to be coaching this game for some time,” Reno remarked. “It’s extraordinary. It’s between two great universities, and great fan bases, but for us, it’s just a game against ourselves each week. We’re just worried about getting as good as we can get for Saturday to be able to put our best selves out there.”

Reno added that the team doesn’t have any traditions before The Game in order to keep his players’ nerves low. Although he acknowledges and respects the significance of the event, he aims for the team to play as if it were any other game. 

However, if Yale wins, he plans to celebrate with his wife and children, who will be in attendance. 

“I think the best way to prepare for The Game is to ask questions,” Reno said. “College football’s a really exciting sport. It’s very exciting — it’s like any big rivalry, whether it’s Ohio and Michigan or Yale and that team from the north. It has a lot of meaning and significance to a lot of people.”

In 2022, Reno was selected as Ivy League Coach of the Year.

The post PROFILE: Football head coach Tony Reno prepares for The Game appeared first on Yale Daily News.