Yale, Harvard rivalry to play Fenway

BOSTON — On a sunny May afternoon, Yale captain Kyle Mullen donned his shoulder pads and stood in the shadow of the Green Monster.

The New Jersey native is an avowed Mets fan, but the significance for touching the grass at Fenway Park was not lost on Mullen. One of the most iconic ballparks in the country will play host to one of the most storied rivalries in sports this fall, and figures from both sides of The Game visited Fenway Tuesday.

The 135th edition of the Yale-Harvard game will be played Nov. 17 at the home of the Red Sox. The game sold out Tuesday, just before Mullen appeared with Harvard captain Zach Miller and coach Tim Murphy for a press conference in right field.

“It was an incredible experience, being out here in the cleats, on the field,” Mullen said. “Such a historic stadium. Really excited for the game. I know a bunch of the guys are.”

Fenway Park is located about three miles from Harvard Stadium, but it will be a decidedly different atmosphere for tailgaters outside and players on the field. The configuration of the field requires both teams to share a sideline.

“There’s going to be 200-plus guys on the same sideline,” Mullen said. “So we’ll see how that goes. Try to keep everyone in check. … Should be interesting.”

Fenway’s history as a football site dates back to 1912, when the venue hosted a Thanksgiving Day high school game. There would be decades of professional, college and high school games, and the Boston Patriots played at Fenway from 1963 to 1968.

Football returned in 2015 and UConn played Boston College at Fenway last season. Murphy, a Massachusetts native and Red Sox fan, said he understood the significance of playing at the ballpark.

“Anybody who comes to the park is going to have a great experience,” Murphy said. “I think it’s going to be a great event for any of the alumni, fans or players who are involved.”

Also on hand Tuesday: 1968 Harvard captain Vic Gatto. This season will mark the 50th anniversary of the memorable 29-29 tie, when Harvard scored 16 points in the final 42 seconds.

History — from the rivalry to the stadium — will play a big role at the 2018 edition of The Game.

“I was looking forward to being at Harvard (Stadium),” Mullen said. “I guess I’ll have to settle for this.”

Charles Krupa / Associated Press Fireworks light up the sky at the conclusion of the Shamrock Series game as Notre Dame defeated Boston College at Fenway Park in Boston on Nov. 21, 2015. Yale will play Harvard in November at Fenway Park, for the 135th edition of the rivalry.