Football Drops Season Finale Against Brown

Brown scored 21 unanswered points in the first quarter, then fended off a late Columbia rally to beat the Lions 30-22 at Baker Field. The loss gives Columbia a final season record of 1-9 (0-7 Ivy), and gives Brown an outright claim to third place in the Ivy League with a 4-3 league record.

The Bears, receiving first, showcased the same game-plan that helped them beat Dartmouth last week. Quarterback Mich Dougherty spanned the field on his feet and threw quick, precise passes to catch Columbia’s defense in mistakes. The Bears marched down the field in ten plays to start the game, scoring on a 17-yard pass to Buddy Farnham.

Columbia’s offense started the game with an impressive running attack. Ray Rangel took a 22-yard carry up the left sideline for the longest run of his career. He took the ball again on the next play, but a holding penalty erased his impressive carry. The Lions made up for the penalty to get to the five-yard line, then went for a touchdown pass on fourth-and-five. Hormann’s well-thrown ball to freshman tight end Andrew Kennedy was swatted down in the end zone.

Brown marched back and scored again on a direct snap play to sophomore receiver Bobby Sewall from three yards out, then scored a third time on another direct snap to Sewall to end the first quarter 21-0. Columbia benefitted from two Brown penalties to get in the red zone once in the second quarter, but an incomplete pass and two ineffective run plays forced a field goal. With the score 21-3 to end the first half, the Lions set about putting together their most impressive halftime about-face of the season.

After a 46-yard kick return by Austin Knowlin gave the Lions the ball at midfield, Hormann lead a nine-play drive to put Columbia within two touchdowns. The scoring play was a 9-yard bullet pass to Nico Gutierrez in the back of the end zone.

The defense forced Brown to punt twice, and the offense responded with two straight field goals of 20 and 26 yards, respectively. Down by eight, the Lions got a huge boost to start the fourth quarter when defensive end Matt Bashaw forced Bobby Sewall to fumble the ball, and senior defensive back Eugene Edwards fielded it and sprinted up the sideline for a 69-yard touchdown.

The Columbia defense then forced a timely three-and-out, giving the newly rejuvenated offense a chance to pull ahead. Hormann threw a 26-yard pass to Gutierrez on first down, but two plays later threw an interception on a poorly-coordinated pass attempt to Jamal Russell. Russell had his hands out and head turned left, expecting the ball to come to the opposite side that it went.

Brown kicked two field goals in the fourth quarter to go ahead by eight points. With 2:48 left in the game, Columbia took the ball for what seemed like their last offensive drive of the season. After a gutsy pass play on fourth-and-twelve, the Lions called a timeout, and on the subsequent play, Hormann threw another interception. Brown took the ball with 1:47 left to play, and was forced to punt.

On the desperation final drive that followed, Craig Hormann threw an incomplete pass, and then another interception, his third of the game. Brown let the clock wind down for the win.

Craig Hormann was playing with the knowledge that one major mistake would have him riding the bench. The coaches showed their faith in the senior co-captain up until the very end, and it was well deserved. Hormann was 35-55 with 326 net passing yards.

Coach Wilson characterized the game as 15 minutes of bad football followed by 45 minutes of good football. This was the theme of the Lions’ season, and it lead to a frustrating end for twelve seniors’ college football careers.