What Is 2011 Harvard Crimson football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2011 Harvard Crimson football team represented Harvard University during the 2011 NCAA Division I FCS season, finishing with a 9–1 overall record and a 7–0 Ivy League record to win the conference title outright. Head coach Tim Murphy led the team to its first undefeated Ivy season since 2004.

Key Facts

2011 Harvard Crimson finished with a 9–1 overall record
Went 7–0 in the Ivy League to win the championship
Head coach Tim Murphy in his 19th season at Harvard
Team outscored opponents 337–169 over 10 games
Harvard won its 14th Ivy League title in program history

Overview

The 2011 Harvard Crimson football team represented Harvard University in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) during the 2011 season. Competing in the Ivy League, the team achieved one of the most dominant performances in conference play, finishing with an undefeated 7–0 record and securing the Ivy League championship outright.

Under the leadership of head coach Tim Murphy, who was in his 19th season at the helm, the Crimson posted a 9–1 overall record, their best since 2001. Despite their strong performance, Harvard did not qualify for the FCS playoffs due to the Ivy League's longstanding policy of not participating in postseason football.

Record: The team finished with a 9–1 overall record, their only loss coming against Holy Cross in a 24–14 defeat on September 17, 2011.
Conference Dominance: Harvard went a perfect 7–0 in Ivy League play, marking the first undefeated conference season since 2004 and securing the outright title.
Scoring Output: The Crimson offense scored 337 total points over 10 games, averaging 33.7 points per game, one of the highest in the FCS.
Defensive Strength: Harvard’s defense allowed only 169 points all season, an average of 16.9 points per game, ranking among the best in the Ivy League.
Championship Recognition: The 2011 title was Harvard’s 14th Ivy League championship in program history, extending their legacy as one of the conference’s most successful programs.

Season Performance

The 2011 campaign showcased Harvard’s consistency and depth across both offense and defense. The team rebounded from an early-season loss to build a nine-game winning streak, culminating in a decisive 31–10 victory over Yale in the season finale.

Season Opener: Harvard opened with a 24–20 win over Georgetown, showing early offensive promise despite a shaky defensive start.
Loss to Holy Cross: On September 17, the Crimson fell 24–14 to Holy Cross, marking their only defeat and the first non-conference loss since 2007.
Conference Undefeated: Harvard won all seven Ivy matchups, including victories over Dartmouth (23–17), Columbia (35–0), and Penn (45–7).
Key Players: Quarterback Chris Kopf threw for 1,853 yards and 15 touchdowns, while wide receiver Efrain Cruz emerged as a reliable target.
Defensive Standouts: Linebacker Zack Hodges recorded 87 tackles, earning First-Team All-Ivy honors, anchoring a disciplined defense.
Yale Game: The season concluded with a 31–10 win over Yale, Harvard’s largest margin of victory in the rivalry since 1993.

Comparison at a Glance

Harvard’s 2011 season compared favorably to other Ivy League contenders and national FCS teams. The table below highlights key performance metrics.

Team	Overall Record	Ivy Record	Points For	Points Against
Harvard	9–1	7–0	337	169
Dartmouth	6–4	5–2	241	219
Princeton	1–9	1–6	159	308
Columbia	2–8	1–6	138	277
Yale	5–5	3–4	217	249

Harvard’s point differential of +168 was the best in the Ivy League by a wide margin. Their combination of offensive efficiency and defensive reliability set them apart from rivals like Dartmouth and Yale, who struggled with consistency. The team’s performance underscored Harvard’s status as the dominant force in the conference that year.

Why It Matters

The 2011 season was a landmark year for Harvard football, reinforcing the program’s competitive edge within the Ivy League and the broader FCS landscape. It demonstrated sustained excellence under long-tenured coach Tim Murphy and highlighted the team’s ability to perform at a high level despite the absence of postseason eligibility.

Program Prestige: The undefeated Ivy season elevated Harvard’s national profile and reinforced its reputation as a football powerhouse in the FCS.
Recruiting Boost: Success on the field helped attract top-tier student-athletes to Harvard, enhancing future team depth.
Historical Context: The 2011 title tied Harvard with Penn for the most Ivy League championships in history at the time.
Player Development: Several players, including Kopf and Hodges, earned All-Ivy honors, showcasing the team’s talent pipeline.
Legacy of Excellence: The season contributed to Murphy’s legacy as one of the most successful coaches in Ivy League history.
Competitive Benchmark: The 9–1 record set a high standard for future Harvard teams aiming to balance academic rigor with athletic success.

The 2011 Harvard Crimson football team remains a benchmark for excellence in Ivy League football, combining academic prestige with athletic dominance in a season that fans and historians still celebrate.