The FCS football season is fast approaching, so we’re going inside each conference race. With three teams seeking to defend a share of the title, here’s our 2024 Ivy League football preview.
If Yale coach Tony Reno wasn’t working the sidelines on fall Saturdays, he would be wearing out his TV remote, flipping from one Ivy League thriller to another.
“If I was a fan watching college football, I would tune into Ivy League games every week,” he says, “because it’s great competition.”
There are close games, even closer title races and sometimes a three-way share of the title, like last season between Reno’s Yale squad, Harvard and Dartmouth. In fact, the Ivy title has been shared by two or more teams in six of the last 10 seasons.
The Ivy League is the last in college football to kick off its season – this year on Sept. 21 as the first of a 10-game schedule without a bye.
The run defenses better be ready. Returning this season are 11 of the 14 Ivy players who rushed for 300+ yards last year.
2024 Ivy League Football Preview
Predicted Order of Finish
1. Harvard (8-2, 5-2) – New coach Andrew Aurich, a former Princeton player and offensive coordinator, has the difficult assignment of replacing the legendary Tim Murphy, who guided the Crimson for 29 seasons and 30 years. The offense returns a lot in the skills positions, including quarterbacks Charles DePrima (1,476 yards of total offense, 17 total touchdowns) and Jaden Craig; All-Ivy running back Shane McLaughlin, the team captain; and No. 1 wide receiver Cooper Barkate. The secondary’s strong behind leading tackler Ty Bartrum and Gavin Shipman. After a 1-4 home record in 2022, the Crimson went 6-0 a year ago.
2. Penn (6-4, 3-4) – The Quakers, behind coach Ray Priore, are chasing their first Ivy title since 2016, having suffered four losses (two in overtime) by a combined 16 points last year. Their offense led the league in yards per game (401.3) and returns the big three of QB Aidan Sayin (6,069 passing yards, 39 TD passes in career); RB Malachi Hosley, the 2023 Ivy rookie of the year; and All-America WR Jared Richardson. All-Ivy defensive back Shiloh Means does a little bit of everything, while the linebackers unit may be the league’s best with Jack Fairman, John Lista and Kadari Machen.
3. Yale (7-3, 5-2) – The Bulldogs were a slight favorite in the Ivy preseason poll despite the loss of a dominating senior class, including quarterback and two-time Ivy offensive player of the year Nolan Grooms. The new players stepping into key roles can follow the lead of veterans, led by RBs Joshua Pitsenberger (17 total TDs in 18 career games) and Tre Peterson, and the defensive trio of tackles Alvin Gulley Jr. and Dylan Yang and cornerback Sean Guyton. Linebacker Dean Shaffer earned the coveted captain’s role.
(Former Yale offensive tackle Kiran Amegadjie becomes first FCS selection in 2024 NFL Draft)
4. Dartmouth (6-4, 5-2) – While the Big Green are replacing three-year QB Nick Howard, Jackson Proctor’s dual-threat skills should blossom in his senior season. Coach Sammy McCorkle returns plenty of veterans across the offensive line and with WR Paxton Scott (131 career receptions), RB Q Jones and all-purpose threat Sean Williams. Braden Mullen’s 5.5 sacks ranked fourth in the league even though he played in only the first five games due to injury. As a freshman, place-kicker Owen Zalc was 17 of 21 (81%) on field goals, leading the league with 76 points.
5. Princeton (5-5, 4-3) – Last season’s record was a surprise considering Princeton went a combined 35-5 in its previous four seasons under coach Bob Surace. The Tigers defense ranked No. 1 in the league in scoring defense (17.5 points per game) and total defense (302.1 yards per game), but the offense was only sixth (19.7) and seventh (328.3), respectively. Their offense returns leading rusher John Volker (447 yards, seven TDs) and receiver Luke Colella (47 receptions, 620 yards, six TDs), but defensive back Nasir Hill is the only defensive returnee with 2023 All-Ivy honors (second team).
6. Brown (5-5, 3-4) – The Bears finished at .500 for the first time since 2015, and in coach James Perry’s fifth season, there’s optimism for more of a rise. Ivy passing leader Jake Willcox is utilizing an extra season of eligibility, protected again by O-linemen Hayden Bozich and Jack Connolly, but he basically has a new wide receivers’ unit. However, leading rusher Stockton Owen is adept at catching passes out of the backfield. The defense boasts one of the league’s best players in defensive back Isaiah Reed.
7. Cornell (3-7, 2-5) – New coach Dan Swanstrom served as Penn’s offensive coordinator the last two seasons after guiding Ithaca from 2017-21. He’s tasked with lifting a program whose last winning season occurred in 2005. Senior quarterback Jameson Wang provides a good starting point with 5,742 yards of total offense and 47 total TDs in his career. He spreads around the passes quite well, including to WRs Davon Kiser and Doryn Smith. Linebacker Luke Banbury is the top-returning tackler.
8. Columbia (3-7, 1-6) – Former Columbia assistant coach Jon Poppe has returned to guide the program after going 10-2 at Union last year. Defensive end Justin Townsend (21.5 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks in two seasons) is a superb pass rusher and again combines with linebackers Mark Chapman (93 tackles, second-best in the league) and Rocco Millia in the front seven. One year after the offense ranked last in the league, the Lions are inexperienced behind center, but they return RB Joey Giorgi (628 yards, three TDs).
How the League Predicted the Race
Five Players to Know
Shane McLaughlin, RB, Harvard – In a breakout junior season, McLaughlin led the league in carries (155) and yards (830) while also rushing for six TDs.
Isaiah Reed, DB, Brown (Buck Buchanan Award preseason nominee) – The league’s top 2025 NFL Draft prospect led the league in interceptions (five) and passes defended (13).
Jared Richardson, WR, Penn (Walter Payton Award preseason nominee) – Richardson’s 17 receptions against Yale set a Penn single-game record and marked the FCS’ seasonal high last year. He had two other games with 12 catches.
Jameson Wang, QB, Cornell – The dual threat often beats opponents with his feet – he’s rushed for 1,316 yards and 20 touchdowns in 27 career games.
Jake Willcox, QB, Brown (Walter Payton Award preseason nominee) – Only New Hampshire’s Max Brosmer averaged more passing yards per game than Willcox (292.4) last year.
Five Must-See Matchups
1. Yale at Harvard (Nov. 23) – “The Game” is the third most-played FCS rivalry, heading toward the 140th matchup (Yale leads 70-61-8). Since the first Ivy season in 1956, the season’s final game has had title implications for at least one of the two programs 33 different times (Harvard has a 17-15-1 edge in those matchups).
2. Harvard at Penn (Nov. 16)
3. Princeton at Harvard (Oct. 26)
4. Penn at Dartmouth (Oct. 5)
5. Yale at Penn (Oct. 26)
Fast Fact
The Ivy League had five league games decided in overtime last season – the most among the 13 FCS conferences. Additionally, the teams went OT in three non-league games.
Cornell was the only Ivy team not involved in an overtime game.
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