Football stunned by Yale in final seconds

The Columbia football team, which was missing its starting quarterback and running back, was on the wrong side of a 23-22 heartbreaker against Yale on Saturday afternoon. The Lions maintained a lead for most of the second half, but two late fumbles helped hand the Bulldogs a game-winning touchdown in the final minute of play.

Columbia's regular starter at quarterback, Millicent Olawale, was dressed but did not play, while running back Ray Rangel did not dress and had a large bandage wrapped around his ankle. Freshman quarterback Sean Brackett played for the first time in his career and threw three touchdown passes for a strong effort in the loss.

Columbia's defense played well for most of the afternoon and was able to pressure both of Yale's quarterbacks--Brook Hart in the first half and Patrick Witt in the second--throughout the afternoon. The Bulldogs were 0-for-7 on third down conversions until they converted on 3rd and 1 late in the third quarter. Columbia's first two touchdowns came immediately after turnovers, as the defense forced Yale running back Mordecai Cargill to fumble twice.
After the first of Cargill's fumbles, the Lions ran a gadget play to perfection for a touchdown. Brackett gave the ball to running back Leon Ivery, who pitched it to Austin Knowlin on the reverse, and Knowlin pitched it back to Brackett. The freshman quarterback then hit receiver Taylor Joseph in the back of the end zone to put the Lions up, 6-0.

The Bulldogs trimmed the Lions' lead late in the second quarter, driving down the field with time winding down to set up Alex Barnes for a 47-yard field goal. It was Barnes' first field goal attempt of the season but he made it look easy, putting the Elis on the board just before the half.

That was it for the scoring until late in the third quarter when Cargill coughed up the ball again and it was recovered by Columbia linebacker Chris Paruch at the Yale 31-yard line. For the second time, the Lions scored on the first play after a fumble, as Brackett faked an end around to Knowlin and hit a wide open Andrew Kennedy for a touchdown. The Lions decided to go for two, and Brackett--who scrambled effectively all afternoon long--kept it himself for the conversion.

In the fourth quarter the Bulldogs put the pressure on with a touchdown pass, but the Lions responded with a touchdown drive of their own. The Light Blue drove 78 yards in nine plays, culminating in a 32-yard touchdown pass from Brackett to Knowlin. Leon Ivery went untouched into the end zone for the two-point conversion that put the Lions ahead, 22-10. Knowlin ended the day with 63 receiving yards, putting him just 32 yards away from setting the Columbia record for career receiving yards.

Not to be outdone, the Bulldogs turned around with a quick scoring drive and pulled within five on a touchdown run by sophomore running back Alex Thomas. The Lions had a chance to put the game away with less than five minutes left as Leon Ivery ran for a gain of 75, but was caught by his ankles at Yale's two-yard line. On the next play, running back Zack Kourouma was hit hard as soon as he got the handoff and fumbled and the Bulldogs recovered. The Columbia defense came up huge again, forcing the Bulldogs to punt with under four minutes to go.

But Columbia couldn't hang onto the ball and seal the win. Brackett fumbled near the 50-yard line and Yale recovered, giving the Bulldogs a chance for one final drive and the win. Witt's short pass on fourth down from the Columbia 20 with 1:02 left fell incomplete, but Nick Mistretta was called for holding. On the next play, Witt hit A.J. Haase for a touchdown in the left corner of the end zone. The Bulldogs failed on their two-point conversion attempt but still led 23-22.

Brackett threw an interception of the ensuing drive and the Bulldogs took over with 45 seconds left. They were able to run the clock out and send the Lions to their fourth consecutive loss.

Brackett had a strong afternoon for the Light Blue, going 10-19 with 180 passing yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for 68 yards on 15 carries. Ivery also played well, notching 127 yards on 16 rushes.

The Lions return to the field next Saturday, Nov. 7, against Harvard at home.