What Is 2016 Harvard Crimson football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2016 Harvard Crimson football team represented Harvard University in the 2016 NCAA Division I FCS football season, finishing with a 5-5 overall record and 3-4 in Ivy League play under head coach Tim Murphy.

Key Facts

The 2016 Harvard Crimson football team had a 5-5 overall record
They finished 3-4 in the Ivy League, placing fifth in the conference
Head coach Tim Murphy was in his 22nd season leading the program
Harvard played its home games at Harvard Stadium in Boston, Massachusetts
The team scored 231 points, averaging 23.1 points per game

Overview

The 2016 Harvard Crimson football team competed as part of the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), representing Harvard University during the 2016 college football season. Led by 22nd-year head coach Tim Murphy, the team played its home games at the historic Harvard Stadium in Boston, Massachusetts, a venue with over 90 years of football tradition.

The season marked a transitional year for the Crimson, as they aimed to rebound from a 4-6 campaign in 2015. Despite early optimism, the team finished with a balanced 5-5 overall record and a 3-4 mark in the Ivy League, placing fifth in the conference standings. The offense showed flashes of strength, but defensive inconsistencies limited deeper success.

Overall record of 5-5: The Crimson won half of their games, showing improvement in competitiveness but failing to secure a winning season.
3-4 Ivy League record: Harvard finished fifth in the conference, behind Penn, Yale, Dartmouth, and Brown, but ahead of Columbia and Cornell.
Tim Murphy’s 22nd season: The veteran head coach continued to build on his legacy, having led Harvard to multiple Ivy titles since 1994.
Home games at Harvard Stadium: The 1903-built concrete structure hosted all home contests, providing a classic collegiate football atmosphere.
Averaged 23.1 points per game: The offense scored 231 total points, with balanced contributions from both rushing and passing attacks.

Season Performance and Game Results

The 2016 campaign featured a mix of close contests and decisive outcomes, highlighting both the team’s resilience and areas needing improvement. Harvard opened the season with a loss to Rhode Island but rebounded with wins over Stetson and Georgetown, showing offensive potential early.

Lost to Rhode Island 21-24: The season opener on September 17 ended in a narrow defeat, marking the first time Harvard lost to an FCS non-conference opponent in recent years.
Defeated Stetson 45-14: The Crimson dominated with a 31-point margin, showcasing offensive firepower led by quarterback Scott Secules.
Beat Georgetown 24-17: A hard-fought victory demonstrated improved defense and red-zone efficiency in a midseason non-league matchup.
Lost to Penn 17-41: A lopsided defeat on November 5 exposed defensive vulnerabilities against a strong Ivy contender.
Finished with a win over Yale 21-14: The season concluded with a victory in the 132nd playing of The Game, preserving rivalry pride despite a losing record.

Comparison at a Glance

Harvard’s 2016 performance compared closely with prior seasons and Ivy peers in terms of wins, points, and conference standing.

Team	Overall Record	Ivy Record	Points For	Points Against
Harvard (2016)	5-5	3-4	231	226
Harvard (2015)	4-6	3-4	210	242
Yale (2016)	3-7	1-6	179	235
Penn (2016)	4-6	2-5	208	264
Dartmouth (2016)	4-6	3-4	187	215

The table illustrates that Harvard’s 2016 season was an improvement over 2015 in total wins, despite the same Ivy record. The team outscored opponents slightly, unlike previous years, and performed better than Yale and Penn in both overall and defensive metrics. This placed Harvard in the middle tier of the Ivy League, reflecting a team in transition.

Why It Matters

The 2016 season was significant as a rebuilding year that laid the groundwork for future success under Tim Murphy’s leadership. While not a championship contender, the team demonstrated growth and competitive spirit, especially in key rivalry games.

Set stage for 2017 Ivy title: The experience gained in 2016 contributed to Harvard’s undefeated Ivy League season the following year.
Developed key players: Quarterback Scott Secules and defensive standouts gained crucial game experience that shaped future rosters.
Maintained academic-athletic balance: Harvard continued its tradition of fielding competitive teams without sacrificing academic standards.
Preserved The Game legacy: Winning the final matchup against Yale kept the rivalry competitive and emotionally resonant.
Stadium tradition upheld: Playing at Harvard Stadium reinforced the program’s deep historical roots in college football.
Recruiting momentum: Competitive performances helped attract future talent despite not making the FCS playoffs.

The 2016 Harvard Crimson football team may not have achieved postseason honors, but it played a vital role in the program’s long-term trajectory, blending tradition with incremental progress.