NEW YORK - Columbia held a 22-17 lead with
just under six minutes remaining, but Yale forced a fumble and capitalized on
another Lions' turnover in the final minutes to defeat Columbia 23-22 at Robert
K. Kraft Field at Lawrence A. Wien Stadium.
The last-minute loss spoiled a stellar debut
by first-year quarterback Sean Brackett, who used his scrambling ability to
keep the Yale defense off balance. Brackett closed the contest 10-for-19 in the
air for 180 yards and three touchdowns, while rushing for 68 yards on 15
carries. The Lions also got a strong effort from junior running back Leon
Ivery, who finished with 16 carries and 127 yards in his first collegiate
start.
Senior wide receiver Austin Knowlin caught a
32-yard strike on a corner route midway through the fourth quarter from
Brackett to put the Lions ahead, 22-10.
Yale answered with a touchdown on a six-play,
63-yard drive, Alex Thomas rushing for the touchdown, to cut the lead to 22-17.
On the ensuing Columbia drive, Ivery broke
through right tackle and took off for a 75-yard gain. But Adam Money caught Ivery on the two and the Lions fumbled
on the next play.
Yale went six plays before punting and
Knowlin called for the fair catch at the 50. Brackett started the drive with a 17-yard gain and Ivery pushed
through the left side for a gain of four, but a Columbia holding penalty made
it first and 20 from the Columbia 44.
Brackett kept for a seven-yard gain, bonly to fumble at the 49, where
Money recovered.
Yale used the clock well in a six-play,
51-yard drive which resulted in a 10-yard touchdown pass from Witt to Haase for
the final 23-22 margin.
Knowlin finished with three catches, 63 yards
and the touchdown; he stands just 32 yards shy of the all-time Columbia career
receiving yards record.
Lou Miller finished with
seven tackles, two sacks and three tackles for loss, while Andy Shalbrack had
eight total tackles. Paul Rice led
all players with 14 tackles and two tackles for loss.
The Lions amassed 415 yards
of total offense to Yale's 308, while the Bulldogs finished with 20 first downs
to Columbia's 18.
The Lions return to action on
Saturday when they host Harvard at 12:30 p.m.
