Box Score
PRINCETON, N.J. - Princeton used 227 yards of rushing offense to defeat Columbia 24-21 at Princeton Stadium. The loss snaps Columbia's two-game win streak vs. the Tigers.
Princeton got on the board first, driving 61 yards on its first possession of the game for a field goal. Despite on fumble on Columbia's first drive, Columbia's defense helped put the Lions on the board when senior A.J. Maddox intercepted Princeton's Tommy Wornham and ran it back for his first career touchdown. When Luke Eddy converted the PAT, Columbia led 7-3.
Princeton took the lead for good when they capped off the first quarter with a seven-play drive for 74 yards. Wornham hit Mark Hayes for a five-yard touchdown pass to put the Tigers up 10-7.
Princeton scored on its first possession of the second half, highlighted by a 45-yard run by Chuck Dibilio on second and five from the Princeton 44. The Tigers scored three plays later to make it 17-7 Princeton.
Columbia came right back and scored two drives later, when Maddox recovered a fumble at the Princeton 47 and returned it to the Princeton 28. Sean Brackett needed just one play to find Paul Havas in the endzone to make it 17-14 midway through the third period.
After a couple of three-and-outs by both teams, Princeton pinned Columbia in its own five-yard line, and took advantage of the ensuing good field position after a Columbia punt. Princeton went 26 yards in five plays to make it 24-14, which was the score at the end of the period.
Columbia fought back and scored midway through the fourth, driving 85 yards in eight plays, culminating in a 29-yard pass to Hamilton Garner to make the score 21-24.
As the game wound down, Columbia got a huge stop, halting Princeton on fourth and two from the Columbia two yard line, with less than 30 seconds remaining, but Columbia's final drive came up short.
Ross Morand and Maddox had stellar games on defense. Maddox had 10 tackles, with a huge fumble recovery and an interception for a touchdown, while Morand led all players with 11 tackles.
Brackett threw for two touchdowns, passing Craig Hormann to be fifth on the all-time touchdown passes list with 28. Brackett needs one touchdown pass to tie Columbia greats Archie Roberts and Gene Rossides.
Columbia returns to action on Saturday, October 8, when they host Sacred Heart at 12:30 p.m.
