By Darin 
November 23, 1968, was supposed to be a historic day for the Ivy League rivalry between the Harvard Crimson and the Yale Bulldogs. For the first time since 1912, the two giants entered “The Game” undefeated, with bragging rights and a flawless season record on the line. But what unfolded in the final minutes transcended rivalry, becoming one of the most improbable and talked-about finishes in college football history, immortalized by a single, iconic newspaper headline: “Harvard Beats Yale, 29-29.”
Yale’s Dominance and the Unlikely Hero
Early in the contest, the narrative was all Yale. The Bulldogs, led by a potent offense, quickly built a seemingly insurmountable lead, silencing the Crimson faithful. They raced ahead, eventually leading 22-0. It took a shift in personnel and a major change in momentum for Harvard to find its footing.
Enter Frank Champi, Harvard’s backup quarterback. Thrust into the game with the team staring down a massive deficit, Champi slowly began to turn the tide. He wasn’t flawless, but his presence brought an urgency to the Harvard offense that had been missing.
The Impossible Final Minute
Despite Champi’s efforts, the clock and the scoreboard were firmly on Yale’s side. As the final minute began, Yale led 29-13, and their fans were already celebrating an undefeated championship season, their cheers echoing across the stadium. The outcome appeared settled.
What followed remains legendary. In the span of 42 seconds, Harvard engineered a two-touchdown miracle.
First, Champi orchestrated a dazzling 86-yard touchdown drive that took just 32 seconds, bringing the score to 29-19. Harvard then successfully converted the two-point attempt, shrinking the deficit to 29-21.
The critical moment came with the ensuing onside kick. Harvard executed it perfectly, recovering the ball and regaining possession with mere seconds remaining. The Crimson offense sprinted back onto the field. Champi, displaying nerves of steel, drove the ball forward one last time. With the final seconds ticking away, he hit a receiver for a game-tying touchdown on the last play of regulation.
Trailing 29-27, Harvard went for the win—or, at least, the tie—on another two-point conversion. Champi connected with Peter Varney for the two points that shook the Ivy world. The scoreboard flashed 29-29.
A Headline for the Ages
Though officially a tie, the sheer audacity of the comeback—erasing a 16-point deficit in less than a minute—felt like an overwhelming victory for Harvard. The editors of the Harvard Crimson student newspaper captured this sentiment perfectly with their famous headline the next morning: “Harvard Beats Yale, 29-29.”
Article from Nov 24, 1968 The Boston Globe (Boston, Massachusetts)
The game wasn’t just a thriller; it was a psychological triumph that cemented the rivalry’s legendary status. The 1968 comeback is a timeless example of grit, determination, and why, in football, the clock isn’t the only thing that matters. It’s a story of a backup quarterback who became a hero and a tie that is still celebrated as a win.