The Crimson then went on a 14-0 run, with Hempel finding both sophomore tight end Ben Braunecker and senior Ricky Zorn for scores.

Mills, who finished with 293 passing yards and one touchdown, moved his offense efficiently up the field in the first quarter. The Toreros came close to knotting the game at seven apiece with a 3rd-and-goal at the four-yard line, but the Crimson stood its ground at the goal line, deflecting a pass and forcing a field goal to hang onto a 7-3 lead.

The defense kept pressure on Mills throughout, sacking him twice and forcing errant throws. A coverage sack by seniors Austin Taylor and Jack Dittmer led to excellent field position for Harvard, setting up the touchdown that would give the Crimson a two-possession lead.

Turnovers ailed both teams, with each coughing up two fumbles. Up by eight in the third quarter, Hempel found a wide open junior receiver Seitu Smith for what appeared to be a touchdown, but Smith fumbled the ball out of the end zone. On the ensuing possession, the Toreros returned the favor as fullback Joe Ferguson lost the ball at the goal line.

—Crimson staff writer Samantha Lin can be reached at samantha.lin@thecrimson.com. Follow her on Twitter @LinSamnity.

This article has been revised to reflect the following correction:

CORRECTION: Sept. 21, 2013

An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated the number of passing and rushing yards that junior quarterback Conner Hempel had against San Diego on Saturday. In fact, he had 345 passing yards and 38 rushing yards.