Harvard opens season with a bang, beats St. Thomas 45-13

BOSTON (AP) — Quarterback Charles Deprima ran for 113 yards and was one of four players to score rushing touchdowns for Harvard as the Crimson opened their 150th football season with a 45-game victory. 13 against St. Thomas of Minnesota on Saturday.

Harvard led 31-0 at halftime and the score reached 38-0 before the Tommies got on the scoreboard midway through the third quarter.

Deprima was just 7 of 18 passing for 92 yards and a touchdown, but the Crimson totaled 255 yards rushing. Shane McLaughlin opened the scoring with a 79-yard run and finished with 96 yards. Jaden Craig and Isaiah Abbey also scored rushing touchdowns.

Ty Bartrum had a 96-yard interception return for another Harvard score and Deprima’s touchdown went 69 yards.

St. Thomas (1-2), which was shut out by South Dakota 24-0 last week, went six full quarters without a score before Hope Adabayo scored on a 2-yard run. Andrew McElroy totaled 114 yards on six catches.

Harvard is 12-0 in its last 12 season openers that have been at home and has won 17 of its last 19 games against non-conference opponents.