Harvard scores TD with Philly Special
ArticlesCollege FootballBy Arthur Weinstein on

The “Philly Special” helped win a Super Bowl for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Saturday, the Harvard Crimson brought the play out in crunch time to win the Ivy League title.

The play, immortalized by the Eagles in their SB LII win over the New England Patriots, has been often imitated, but usually with bad results.

The Crimson had confidence they could pull it off Saturday, calling the play in triple overtime against the rival Penn Quakers.

And it worked to perfection.

With the score tied at 23, Harvard wide receiver Scott Woods went in motion and took the handoff at the snap from quarterback Jaden Craig.

Meanwhile, receiver Cooper Barkate, running a reverse in the opposite direction, took a pitch from Woods, ran right, then lofted a perfect pass to a wide-open Craig for the winning score.

It took daring for the Crimson to call that play in those circumstances, but it worked, to win the game and clinch at least a tie of the conference championship.

The fact Harvard, located in the heart of Patriots country, used Philly’s favorite play against the Quakers, whose home stadium is just minutes away from Lincoln Financial Field, seemed like one of those weird karma moments that defy explanation.

You didn’t have to know anything at all about Harvard, Penn, or Ivy League football to know this was a strange moment.

[Harvard Football; Photo Credit: Harvard Football]

About Arthur Weinstein

Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.

View all posts by Arthur Weinstein