Harvard Secures Future Games with Montana State, UC Davis

TL;DR

Harvard has secured future games against Montana State and UC Davis, marking a significant expansion of its non-conference schedule. The Crimson will host UC Davis in 2027 and visit Montana State in 2028 as part of a home-and-home agreement.

Key points

Harvard has signed contracts with Montana State and UC Davis.
Harvard will host UC Davis in 2027 and visit in 2031.
Harvard will travel to Montana State in 2028.
These are first-time meetings for Harvard against both teams.
Games against high-profile teams are essential for postseason resumes.

Harvard CrimsonMontana State BobcatsUC Davis Aggies

NEW HAVEN, CT - NOVEMBER 18: Harvard Crimson helmet during the game between the Yale Bulldogs and the Harvard Crimson on November 18, 2017 at Yale Bowl in New Haven, CT. (Photo by Williams Paul/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

As the offseason rolls on college football teams continue to shape their future non-conference schedules and it seems as though Harvard is dipping its toes into the Big Sky as part of that process. On Tuesday it was announced that the Crimson had locked up contests against a pair of Big Sky teams, inking contracts with both Montana State and UC Davis.

Harvard will host UC Davis in 2027 and then pay a visit to the Aggies in 2031 as part of a home-and-home agreement. They will also travel to Montana State, last year’s FCS champion, in 2028. These both will be first-time meetings as the Ivy League does not typically venture out of its East coast region when it comes to scheduling non-conference opponents. With the conference’s recent addition to the FCS playoff field, however, games against high-profile teams will be essential in building postseason resumes.

UC Davis has qualified for the postseason in each of the last two seasons, reaching the quarterfinals both times. Montana State has not missed the playoffs since 2017 (excluding the shortened 2021 Spring season) and has played in three of the last five FCS championship games.

No Ivy team has ever played UC Davis on the gridiron and it is history that Aggies head coach Tim Plough is excited to be a part of. “We have always wanted to play an Ivy League opponent and more specifically Harvard,” said Plough. “Our shared commitment to performance on the field and in the classroom has always felt like the makings of a fun matchup. This has been years in the making, and we look forward to the challenge. We hope this is a game we can continue for years to come.”

Harvard will not be the first Ivy League squad to play against the likes of MSU, however. Last year Yale came through Bozeman in the second round of the playoffs and lost to the Bobcats 13-21.

Q&A

When will Harvard play UC Davis in football?

Harvard will host UC Davis in 2027 as part of a home-and-home agreement.

What year is Harvard scheduled to play Montana State?

Harvard is scheduled to travel to Montana State in 2028.

Why are these games significant for Harvard's football schedule?

These games are significant as they help Harvard build its postseason resume by competing against high-profile teams outside its usual East Coast scheduling.