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Harvard’s star quarterback Jaden Craig was stretchered off the field and loaded into an ambulance after he took a massive hit during the first quarter of the Crimson’s game against the University of Pennsylvania on Saturday.

Harvard, however, appeared to dodge a bullet as Craig returned to the sidelines during the second quarter with a gash on his chin. Craig was conscious as he was loaded onto the stretcher and removed from the field to receive treatment.

With 5:29 left in the first quarter, Craig scrambled out of the pocket and took off. While running into the open field, he took a helicopter hit that knocked the ball out of his hands and lifted him off the ground. Craig landed on his left shoulder and laid on his back as teammates rushed over and immediately called for medical attention.

The Quakers recovered the football after the hit on Craig, but Penn was unable to capitalize on the drive with Harvard defensive end Tyler Huenneman forcing the ball out of Penn quarterback Liam O’Brien’s hand, giving the ball back to the Crimson at its own 46-yard line.

Craig has been a critical asset for the Crimson this season, with former head football coach Tim Murphy calling Craig “probably the most talented quarterback we’ve ever had here” other than Ryan Fitzpatrick ’05, who went on to have a 17-season career in the NFL.

Responsible for 2,072 passing yards and 20 touchdowns with just two interceptions, Craig’s arm has opened up the Crimson’s deep passing game and added much-needed versatility to the offense compared to last season. Without his precise passing from the pocket, Harvard will need to find other ways to get the ball downfield next week against Yale.

With Craig out of the game, senior Charles DePrima took over as lead signal caller for the Crimson. DePrima started for the first half of last season before Criag took over the position.

Craig’s injury comes a week before Harvard’s game against Yale, the highest profile game of the season. Harvard is also locked in Ivy League title contention with Dartmouth and most likely have to win both against Penn and Yale to clinch the title.

—Staff writer Jo B. Lemann can be reached at jo.lemann@thecrimson.com. Follow her on X @Jo_Lemann.

—Staff writer Praveen Kumar can be reached at praveen.kumar@thecrimson.com.