NEW YORK (Interstat) — The Harvard Crimson remained undefeated, methodically dismantling the Columbia Lions 31-14 on Friday night at Lawrence A. Wien Stadium.

Harvard, now 8-0 overall, built an insurmountable 28-0 lead by halftime and cruised to its eighth consecutive victory, defying the pregame spread that had installed them as 28-point favorites. The Crimson’s performance surpassed the projection of Interstat’s game simulator, which had predicted a 26-18 final.

The game was effectively decided in a dominant first half where Harvard’s offense was efficient and its defense was stifling. The Crimson opened the scoring late in the first quarter, capping a methodical drive with a 1-yard touchdown plunge by Xaviah Bascon.

The second quarter belonged entirely to Harvard, as they put 21 points on the board. Quarterback Jaden Craig, a Montclair, New Jersey native, connected with tight end Seamus Gilmartin for two touchdown passes, one from 2 yards and another from 3 yards out. Bascon added his second rushing touchdown of the game just before halftime, diving in from a yard out with 11 seconds remaining to give the Crimson a 28-0 lead at the break.

Craig finished an efficient night, completing 16 of 24 passes for 213 yards and two touchdowns, adding 14 yards on the ground. Bascon was the workhorse for the Crimson offense, amassing 94 rushing yards on 18 carries and scoring twice, while also catching a pass for 15 yards.

Harvard’s defense was instrumental in the first-half blowout, intercepting Columbia quarterback Chase Goodwin twice. Linebacker Sean Line of Stockholm, New Jersey, picked off a pass and returned it 12 yards in the second quarter, setting up Harvard’s second touchdown. Defensive back Jack Donahoe of White Plains, New York, followed with a 24-yard return of his own interception deep into Columbia territory, leading directly to Gilmartin’s first touchdown catch.

The Crimson added a 22-yard field goal from Kieran Corr in the third quarter to extend their lead to 31-0 before Columbia (1-7) found the scoreboard with two late touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

Goodwin, from Houston, Texas, connected with receiver Titus Evans for both Columbia scores, a 15-yard strike and a 6-yard pass, to avoid the shutout. Goodwin finished 20 of 38 for 205 yards with the two touchdowns and two interceptions. Evans caught five passes for 41 yards and the two scores.

Despite the late surge, Columbia’s offense struggled for most of the game against a disciplined Harvard defense, with the Lions unable to capitalize on several early drives that stalled in Harvard territory.

Harvard will look to continue its perfect season when it hosts Penn on Nov. 15. Columbia will seek to end its losing skid when it welcomes Brown on the same date. The total score of 45 points fell under the over/under line of 48.5.