Yale quarterback Dante Reno delivered one of the most remarkable performances of his career on Saturday, throwing for 298 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Bulldogs to a 41-24 victory over Merrimack. The game came just days after the death of his father, Tony Reno, a former Yale coaching legend.
The younger Reno's four-touchdown outing anchored a Yale offense that controlled the game from start to finish, securing a decisive non-conference win for the Bulldogs. His 298 passing yards represented the centerpiece of a performance that teammates and coaches described as emotionally significant given the circumstances.
Tony Reno was a longtime fixture in Yale football, having served as the program's head coach and leaving a lasting legacy in New Haven. His death was confirmed in the days leading up to Saturday's contest, prompting an outpouring of support from the Yale community and beyond.
Dante Reno's decision to play — and his ability to perform at such a high level — underscored the resilience of the Bulldogs' roster. The 41 points scored by Yale marked one of the team's strongest offensive outputs of the season, with Reno's four touchdown passes serving as the driving force behind the victory.
The win over Merrimack improves Yale's standing as the team continues its 2026 campaign. For local fans in New Haven and across Connecticut, the game carried added weight as the program honored the memory of Tony Reno while watching his son lead the team onto victory.
