PROVIDENCE, R.I. –Playing without starting quarterback Sean Brackett for much
of the first two quarters, Columbia trailed Brown 28-0 at halftime but
outscored the Bears 16-10 in the second half before falling 38-16 at Brown
Stadium.
Brackett came into the game late in the second quarter and
started the third. Columbia got on the scoreboard on the opening drive of the
second half. Columbia had just 34
yards of total offense in the first half and nearly doubled that total in the
first drive of the third quarter.
To start the drive, Brackett found Andrew Kennedy two
consecutive plays for a total of 18 yards and a first down. Leon Ivery busted through the line for
a 30-yard gain taking Columbia down to the Brown 13. Nick Gerst added three rushes for 11 yards and Ivery scored
two plays later to make it 28-7.
Brown added a field goal on the next drive to make it 31-7,
but Columbia came right back scored on its next series.
Brackett, visibly hampered by a leg injury, looked to the
air and connected with Nico Gutierrez for a 25-yard gain. After three incomplete passes, on
fourth and eight from the Brown 31, Brackett found Kurt Williams for an 18-yard
gain. Brackett made the pass under
pressure, and Williams made an impressive catch in traffic.
Brackett then made three consecutive completions, including
one to Kennedy for a touchdown. It
was Brackett's 19th touchdown pass of the season, and Kennedy's
ninth TD of the year. Luke Eddy missed
his first PAT of the season, capping his consecutive streak at 27, so Columbia trailed
31-13 in the third.
Greg Guttas onside kicked the ensuing kick-off and Adam
Mehrer recovered the ball at the Columbia 42. Columbia picked up a quick first down and on second and
eight from the Brown 46, Brackett found Mark Muston for a 43-yard gain. Columbia was first and goal at the
Brown three when the third quarter ended.
As the fourth quarter started, the Lions' comeback suffered
a huge blow as Gerst fumbled Brackett's option pitch and Brown recovered at the
Brown two and returned it 22 yards to the Brown 27.
Columbia's defense held Brown to a three and out series,
behind tackles by Ben Popeck, Matt Moretto and Alex Gross.
Despite trailing 31-13, Columbia started its final drive on
its own 32 and moved the 65 yards on 10 plays to make it 31-16 on a Luke Eddy
21-yard field goal.
Brown's final drive resulted in a touchdown, going 14 plays
but spanning eight minutes for the final 38-16 margin.
Brackett finished 13-of-22 for 179 yards with one
touchdown. Gutierrez had four
catches for 66 yards and Kennedy had six catches for 34 yards. Ivery finished with 65 yards rushing
and a touchdown.
Defensively, Alex Gross capped his outstanding Columbia
career and senior season with 14 tackles, double any two Brown players. Augie Williams and Adam Mehrer had six
tackles each.
Columbia finishes the season 4-6, 2-5 Ivy League, while
Brown was 6-4, 5-2 Ivy League.
