Harvard player finishes Yale game a Rhodes Scholar

Published Nov. 20, 2010 4:57 p.m. ET

foxsports

Harvard receiver Zar Zavala left the field to celebrate with his family after the Crimson beat Yale on Saturday and found a text message on his cell phone.

It said: ''Congratulations. You're a Rhodes Scholar.''

A walk-on from El Paso, Texas, who majored in neurobiology and engineering, Zavala flew to his hometown for the interview late Friday afternoon. He didn't get back to Boston until about 25 minutes after kickoff, but he dressed and joined his team on the field.

Zavala didn't get into The Game, which Harvard won 28-21. It was the Crimson's fourth consecutive victory over its Ivy League rival.

Said Zavala: ''I can't think of a better day.''