CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- The Columbia University defense was stellar up front, holding the Harvard rushing attack to just five net yards over the course of the game. Unfortunately for the Lions, the Crimson had a counter in the name of quarterback Chris Pizzotti who, despite being sacked five times, threw for 376 yards and four touchdowns in leading the Crimson to a 42-28 victory over the Columbia football team at Harvard Stadium.

Junior receiver Austin Knowlin led the offensive charge for the Lions, who had their highest scoring output of the season against the team with the best overall record in the Ivy League. Knowlin had seven receptions for 32 yards and a touchdown and also returned a punt 76 yards for a score in the third quarter. It was the first punt return for a touchdown for the Lions since 2003.

Defensively, Lions junior defensive end Lou Miller had an outstanding day and continued his impressive play this season, registering 10 tackles on the day, including six for a loss. Miller had two of Columbia's five sacks of Pizzotti and ran his total on the year to seven, which temporarily moves him into the top spot in the Ivy League, pending the outcome of the Yale-Brown game.

Harvard took a 6-0 lead when they scored on a 12-play, 93-yard drive when Pizzotti connected with Levi Richards on a 14-yard touchdown pass.  The extra-point attempt was no good.

Columbia quarterback M.A. Olawale, who started just his second game of his career, began his third drive on the Crimson 39, after the Columbia defense pinned Harvard deep in its own territory.  After a number of rushes by Olawale and Rangel, the Lions scored on a 23-yard pass from Olawale to Zack Kourouma.  Jon Rocholl's point after was good, giving the Lions a brief 7-6 lead.

Columbia led for about 13 seconds after the ensuing kickoff as on the first play of the drive, Pizzotti connected with Chris Lorditch for a 76-yard touchdown pass and with the PAT, Harvard led 14-7.  

Two drives later, the Lions got the ball on the Harvard 46 and got a first down when Olawale rushed for 14 yards.  Austin Knowlin added a nine-yard run to make it second and one but Jordan Davis and Rangel couldn't get past the Harvard line and the Lions went for it on fourth and one.  It appeared that Olawale got it on the keep, but it was short by inches and the Crimson took over at the Harvard 21.

Pizzotti led the ensuing Harvard drive seven plays for 79 yards and he connected with Richards again for a 40-yard pass that gave Harvard a 21-7 lead.

Columbia started the drive on the 17 after the kickoff and Shane Kelly rotated in for Olawale. On the third play of the drive, Matthew Hanson picked off a Kelly pass on the Harvard 32 and returned it to the Columbia 16.  Harvard scored three plays later to lead 28-7 at the break.  

Defense kept Columbia in the game, combining for 80 tackles, five sacks and 13 tackles for a loss.  The five sacks are the most against Harvard's offensive line this season.

Knowlin's punt return was on the Lion's second drive of the third quarter to close the gap to 28-14.  

Harvard scored on the ensuing drive, highlighted by a 37-yard pass to Matt Luft for a first down on third and seven.  The Crimson scored on a three-yard rush by Gordon Gino to make the score 35-14 after the PAT.

Columbia's special teams put points up on the board two drives later, Harvard's punter got a snap that went over his head and Nick Mistretta recovered the ball on Crimson two.  Olawale scored on the next play to make it 35-21.

Harvard scored in the fourth to make 42-21, but the Lions would not go quietly.  Getting the ball on the Columbia 25, Kelly opened the drive with two rushes for 15 yards.  Kelly got two huge plays, connecting with Kourouma and with Stephens for 39 yards and 20 yards respectively, putting the Lions in Harvard territory.  The Lions got a pass interference call, putting the ball on the Harvard 11.  Columbia scored on five-yard pass to Knowlin, who managed to stay in the endzone while fading back for the catch.

The Lions, 1-7, 1-4 Ivy, return to action on Saturday, November 15, when they host Cornell for their final home contest of the season.