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ALBANY, N.Y. - Omar Osbourne rushed for 193 yards and two touchdowns to lead #24 Albany to a 42-7 victory over Columbia at Bob Ford Field in Albany, NY.
The Great Danes scored 28 points in the second quarter, including runs of 45 and 57 yards by Osbourne, who entered the day as the leading rusher in the Colonial Athletic Association.
For Columbia, junior running back Cameron Molina was exceptional in the loss, recording career high marks in yards rushing (95) and receiving (42), in pacing Columbia with 137 total all-purpose yards. Molina also scored his first collegiate touchdown in the fourth quarter.
For the game, Columbia gained more first downs than Albany (20-19) and led the game in time of possession (32:30 to 27:30), but turnovers and big plays proved decisive. After Albany QB Will Fiacchi found Cole King in the corner of the end zone for a 14-0 lead early in the second, Lions upback Devon Williams fumbled on the ensuing kickoff return, giving the Great Danes the ball on the Columbia side of midfield. On the second play from scrimmage after the turnover, Osbourne scored from 45 yards out to make the score 21-0.
Later in the second, with Albany up 28-0, the Great Danes recovered a fumble on a strip-sack of Brett Nottingham. Osbourne took the handoff on the very next play and ran 57 yards for his touchdown of the game to give Albany a 35-0 halftime lead.
The Lions played with greater intensity in the second half, assembling a strong drive to start the third quarter. Mixing short passes from Nottingham with strong running from Molina, the Lions moved the ball into the Albany red zone on their first possession. Unfortunately, the drive came up empty as Noah Zgrablich missed a 34-yard field goal attempt. Both teams played to a scoreless third quarter.
The Lions got on the board early in the fourth quarter on a one-yard TD run by Molina. The scoring play was set up by a 45-yard pass from Nottingham to Denzel Hill along the left sideline, and a 15-yard pass to Dan Slivka just short of the goal line.
Notes: Molina led Columbia with six receptions out of the backfield... Junior Linebacker Max Keefe recorded his first career interception, picking off reserve quarterback Ryan Smith in the fourth quarter... First Year Defensive Lineman Lord Hyeamang was credited with a ½ sack in the first half, the first of his collegiate career... First Year punter Cameron Nizialek pinned the Great Danes deep with two balls downed inside the 20.