DJ Gordon, Crimson defense power Harvard shutout of Columbia 37-0

DJ Gordon rushed for 147 yards and two touchdowns, and Harvard continued its dominant defensive season with a 37-0 victory over Columbia on Saturday

BOSTON -- DJ Gordon rushed for 147 yards and two touchdowns, and Harvard continued its dominant defensive season with a 37-0 victory over Columbia on Saturday.

The Crimson (7-1, 4-1 Ivy League), ranked No. 19 in the Stats Perform FCS Poll, entered the game leading the nation in passing defense and held Columbia to 55 yards through the air and 261 total yards.

Harvard scored all 37 points in the first half. Charlie Smith opened the scoring with a 43-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Tattersall before Sean Line blocked a punt for a safety. Kise Flannery’s 1-yard touchdown run made it 16-0 after one quarter.

Gordon scored on runs of 7 and 35 yards in the second quarter, and Smith connected with Logan Reaska for an 8-yard touchdown as the Crimson took a 37-0 lead into halftime.

Smith completed 12 of 20 passes for 184 yards and two touchdowns. Harvard finished with 434 total yards, including 222 rushing.

Chase Goodwin completed 9 of 23 passes for 55 yards with an interception for Columbia (4-4, 1-4). Brody McLaughlin rushed for 62 yards.

Harvard improved to 67-16-1 in the series, which dates back to 1877.

Up next

Harvard: At Penn next Saturday.

Columbia: At Brown next Saturday.

___

Sign up for Top 25 poll alerts here, visit the Top 25 here and see AP’s full college football coverage here