It was the first time Harvard returned an interception for a score since Glenn Jackson '98 did it against Cornell in 1998.
Balestracci added a second interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, picking off a Greg Smith pass thrown right at him and racing untouched 53 yards.
Balestracci is believed to be the only linebacker in school history to return two interceptions for scores.
Dartmouth's offense was hampered by the loss of two key players, starting tailback Aaron Pumerantz and star wide receiver Damien Roomets.
Roomets, the seventh-leading receiver in the nation, was kicked off the team and suspended from school for what a Dartmouth statement described as an "altercation with other Dartmouth students." Roomets is expected to re-enter school next semester.
"It really hurt not having him," Lyons said. "It was a bit of a distraction to the team."
Harvard took control of the game in the first quarter. The Crimson won the opening toss but deferred, forcing the Big Green to open the game driving into the wind. The weather neutralized Dartmouth's passing attack on its own, and Harvard continually got great field position as a result of interceptions and short Big Green punts into the wind.
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