For Ivy League teams, it is tough to divide the season into individual parts. Since non-league games can occur as late as Week 5, teams have to alternate between non-conference contests and games against fellow Ancient Eight schools, the latter of which are infinitely more important because of their playoff implications.

“Going into the week I was thinking, ‘it’s an out-of-league game, it’s not as big of a deal,’” senior halfback Ryan Antonellis said. “But once we get to Sunday and we start getting prepped and our team gets in the mindset of playing for Ben, it’s easy to really get motivated and come out firing against Georgetown or whoever we’re playing.”

For some Crimson athletes, this game serves as not only a road trip to Washington but also as a homecoming. Antonellis, of Burke, Va., grew up a half hour from Georgetown and was recruited by the Hoyas.

“I definitely considered going there…,” Antonellis said. “I do know some players on the team, and I’m going to have some family and friends down at that game. It’s at RFK stadium, so kind of a cool venue to play at. It’s just going to be a little more of an emotional game for me than would be Lafayette or something like that.”

From 2011 to 2016, Harvard held a winning streak of 16 games versus opponents outside the Ivy League. Following a close loss to Holy Cross last season and a season-opening loss two weeks ago against Rhode Island, the Crimson’s non-conference dominance can finally be questioned.

This weekend, Harvard has a chance to begin anew with a victory over Georgetown.