Harvard downed Yale 53-14 Saturday in one of the oldest rivalries in the country.

The Bulldogs opened with a score, taking the game’s first lead, but a flurry of yellow cards (three) and a composed Crimson backline took away all momentum or threat of an upset.

“We kind of started to pull together and they got a couple of yellow cards. Our backline was attacking with a little more dynamism, and our forwards were winning the ruck in a much better way,” said Harvard flyhalf Gabe Cunningham.

“I think those things combined, especially with the yellow card count as well, helped us pull away…Regardless of the cards I think the biggest thing was our backline found its groove again, and our pack set the platform so we’d receive the kickoff, kick for space and force them into a kick for touch and we were able to play more in their end as the game progressed.”

Every week is a rivalry week in the Ivy League, but whenever the Bulldogs and Crimson meet, it’s just a bit more special.

“We have a lot of traditional rivals in the Ivy League,” said Cunningham, “but Harvard-Yale is one kind of everyone can get exciting about. We’re excited with the win, and it’s always an exciting thing being able to tell our alums.”

The win keeps Harvard in the upper half of the Ivy League in third place, but the Crimson still trail leading Dartmouth and Princeton by what seems like an insurmountable margin. The loss sinks Yale to 0-4 in league play, further anchoring the Bulldogs to the Ivy cellar.

(The original run of this article included an incorrect final score)