In two different major cities, in two MLB cathedrals, two Saint Ignatius alumni shone brightly.

Saturday featured two of the biggest games of the season – Notre Dame vs. Syracuse at Yankee Stadium, and Harvard vs. Yale at Fenway Park. Both games prominently featured faces familiar to fans of the Football Cats. 

Jack Cook '16 played a starring role for Harvard in a 45-27 victory over Yale in Boston. About 200 miles south, Liam Eichenberg '16 paved a path for Notre Dame's hard-charging attack in a 36-3 triumph over Syracuse in New York.  

The victories represented significant milestones for both programs. Harvard notched its first win over rival Yale since 2015, and Notre Dame's victory advanced the Fighting Irish to 11-0 for the first time since 2012. 

Cook enjoyed a career day for the Crimson on Saturday. The wideout hauled in 4 receptions for 116 yards (a season-high) and a 15-yard touchdown on a cross route underneath. The junior finishes the season with 21 catches for 390 yards and 2 TDs. Cook still sits at several spots in the Saint Ignatius record book. Cook's 10 receptions vs. St. Edward in 2015 are tied for second all-time, his 47 catches in 2014 are ninth, and his 12 touchdown receptions stands as the third-most in program history. 

Eichenberg continued his excellent season at left tackle for the Irish. The junior helped Notre Dame rush for 171 yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground, and allowed quarterback Ian Book plenty of time to throw. The signalcaller threw for 292 yards and 2 touchdowns, and was only sacked once. 

Harvard's season is complete, but Notre Dame still has one game left in the regular season. The Fighting Irish will travel to Southern California to play USC next Saturday, with a spot in the College Football Playoff on the line.

On a related note, before the Harvard-Yale game, another famous Saint Ignatius alum took center stage. Brian Dowling '65, a legendary quarterback for the Wildcats and Bulldogs, served as Yale's honorary captain on the 50th anniversary of the 29-29 classic in 1968. 

Here are some highlights from Cook's big day for Harvard:

Cook's circus sideline catch:

https://twitter.com/HarvardFootball/status/1063853830473805824

Cook's 15-yard TD reception:

https://twitter.com/HarvardFootball/status/1063877995297796097

Cook hauls in a deep ball early in the 4th quarter:

https://twitter.com/HarvardFootball/status/1063883221362823168