5 Performances of Nick Palazzo’s Career at Harvard to Remember
An alumnus of Mayfield High School in Cleveland, Ohio, Nick Palazzo was a standout running back at Harvard University in the early 2000s. The 5-foot-8 tailback joined the team as a freshman in 1999 and emerged as one of its most important offensive players the following season.
Palazzo was among the leading rushers in the Ivy League in his final three seasons of eligibility and helped lead the Crimson to key victories over rival teams such as Columbia, Princeton, and Yale. He won an Ivy League championship with the team in 2001. The following are five of Palazzo’s most impressive single-game performances during his career at Harvard.
1. Harvard 34–0 Columbia (2000)
Palazzo rushed for 740 yards on only 130 carries during the 2000 season. While he ranked fourth among Ivy League players in rushing yards, he finished the season with the second-best yards-per-carry rate at 5.69. He finished just behind Yale running back Rashad Bartholomew, who averaged 5.71 yards per carry.
What’s most impressive about Palazzo’s performance this season was the fact he entered training camp as the team’s fourth-string running back. However, he made the most of his opportunity when playing time opened up due to injuries.
“Nick has provided us with inspiration,” split end Carl Morris told the Harvard Crimson of Palazzo in 2000. “He gives everything he has. Whatever happens, Nick’s going to go out there and never give up.”
One of Palazzo’s best games of his sophomore season was the Crimson’s 34–0 victory over the Columbia Lions. This victory moved Harvard to 5–3 on the season and was the team’s first shutout in three years. Palazzo scored Harvard’s second touchdown of the game on a 32-yard rush. He finished the game with 108 yards rushing. In contrast, the entire Columbia offense managed just 210 yards.
2. Harvard 38–14 Lafayette (2001)
Building upon his impressive sophomore season, Palazzo had several standout performances as a junior in 2001 and was a significant contributor to the team’s overall success. Palazzo led the team in rushing (564 yards) and scoring (seven touchdowns), despite missing three games due to an injury.
Palazzo scored one of those touchdowns in Harvard’s 38–14 victory over Lafayette. He also had a team-high 98 yards rushing on 21 carries. Quarterback Neil Rose contributed two rushing and two passing touchdowns in the victory, while Morris made nine catches for 123 yards. The win moved the Crimson to 2–0 on the season.
3. Harvard 26–6 Cornell (2001)
Harvard’s 2001 season continued with a victory over Northeastern before it took to the road for its first away game of the season. Palazzo was once again a key contributor on offense as the Crimson defeated the Cornell Big Red 26–6. He had two rushing touchdowns in the game, while tight end Matt Fratto added his first career touchdown reception on a pass from Rose. The Harvard defense also played a major role in the game as it sacked opposing quarterback Ricky Rahne six times.
4. Harvard 31–21 Dartmouth (2001)
Harvard’s 31–21 victory over Dartmouth in the latter half of the 2001 season might be the team’s most impressive of Palazzo’s four-year career. Harvard trailed 21–0 at the half and, at this point, no Crimson team had ever overcome a 21-point deficit to secure a victory. However, Harvard scored 31 unanswered points in the second half to win the game and keep its hopes alive for an undefeated season.
Morris, on a trick play, got the Crimson on the board by connecting with Sam Taylor for a 35-yard touchdown pass. After Dartmouth fumbled the ensuing kickoff, freshman quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick threw a 32-yard touchdown pass to Morris. Palazzo, meanwhile, scored the game-tying touchdown on a five-yard run and added another touchdown late in the fourth quarter. This game also marked a breakout performance for Fitzpatrick, who was later selected by the St. Louis Rams in the seventh round of the 2005 NFL Draft.
5. Harvard 24–17 Princeton (2002)
Palazzo was limited due to injury in his senior year, but he still managed 389 yards rushing and eight touchdowns prior to the team’s annual rivalry game against Yale. His most impressive performance of the season came in a 24–17 victory over Princeton. He scored three touchdowns, the first of which opened the scoring. His second touchdown, a one-yard goal-line score, restored the Harvard lead in the second quarter. Palazzo’s final score was again a one-yard touchdown following a 37-yard catch by Morris. The victory improved Harvard’s overall record to 7–2 and 3–0 in Ivy League play.
