Columbia
Lafayette
Lafayette Downs Lions Late, 24-21; Knowlin Sets Career Receptions Mark
10/10/2009 9:00:00 PM | Football
EASTON, Pa.- Columbia led 21-10 at the half, but Lafayette shut out the Lions in the final two quarters, and a two-yard rush by Maurice White with 13 seconds to go in the fourth lifted the Leopards over the Lions, 24-21.
Austin Knowlin's five catches in the game set a new Columbia career reception mark with 180. The previous record of 176 was set by Don Lewis '84.
The Lions were dealt an early blow when junior linebacker Alex Gross went down with an injury on the opening kickoff and did not return to the game. Pressed into a starting role, sophomore Evan Miller ended up having a huge game with 12 tackles, including two for a loss.
Columbia struck first when it marched 75 yards down the field on its opening drive, capped by a 27-yard gallop by Lion quarterback M.A. Olawale straight up the middle for a touchdown.
Lafayette returned the favor on its next drive, going 67 yards on nine plays. Maurice White rushed for the first of his two scores in the game to tie the score at 7-7.
The first quarter continued to be a scoring barrage when Olawale found Knowlin for a 21-yard touchdown, Knowlin's first catch of the game, coming in his third straight game with a touchdown reception.
The connection put the Lions ahead 14-7 and Lafayette came back on its next drive to get within four, at 14-10, when Davis Rodriguez booted a 35-yard field goal at the 1:23 mark of the first quarter.
Ray Rangel continued to be a force on the ground against Lafayette with 71 yards, including a one-yard plunge early in the second quarter that put Columbia ahead 21-10. Olawale continued to be perfect on the drive, completing his first eight passes of the game, including a beautiful 35-yard strike on a flag pattern to Mike Stephens to bring the Lions to a first and goal situation.
Columbia's secondary had a big day with three takeaways, the first being Adam Mehrer's interception deep in Columbia territory to snuff out a Leopard drive and keep the score at 21-10 at halftime.
Lafayette came back with 10:46 left in the third to cut the score to 21-17 on a one-yard pass from Rob Curley to Mitchell Bennett, and the Leopard defense held strong to keep the Columbia offense at bay for the remainder of the half, all while controlling time of possession in the final two quarters.
Meanwhile, Columbia's defense played just as well, if not better. Andy Shalbrack had the secondary's second interception of the day, leaping to haul in a ball in the end zone while Lafayette was driving to take the lead.
After a Columbia fumble early in the fourth quarter, Ross Morand had his first career interception, again in Columbia territory to halt a Lafayette drive.
With six minutes left, Columbia drove to midfield and punted away to Lafayette's 13, where the Leopards mounted their final drive.
After a pass interference call gave Lafayette the ball at the three-yard line at first and goal, Columbia's defense held until third down. White then leaped over the line for a two-yard plunge to give Lafayette its first lead of the game, 24-21.
"Their defense outplayed our offense in the second half," said Norries Wilson, the Patricia and Shepard Alexander Head Coach of Football after the game. "We completed a couple of passes but never got down far enough in their end to attempt a field goal."
Knowlin finished with five catches for 55 yards and a touchdown on the day, along with 146 yards on kick returns. "It's a great honor," Knowlin, the senior wideout, said of breaking the Columbia career receptions mark. "But at this point in our careers we just want to win."
Olawale finished with 153 yards through the air and 72 yards on the ground. His counterpart, Rob Curley, passed for 287 yards despite the three interceptions.
Columbia is back in action next Saturday, October 17 for Homecoming on Robert K. Kraft Field against Penn at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are available online or by calling 888-LIONS-11.
