HANOVER, N.H. - Columbia gave a scare to the No. 25 Dartmouth football team, but the Big Green held on to earn a 13-9 win over the Lions. With the loss, Columbia falls to 1-5 (0-3 Ivy League) on the season, while Dartmouth stays perfect at 6-0 (3-0 Ivy League).
Dartmouth got off to a fast start, when Abrm McQuarters took an option pitch from quarterback Dalyn Williams 20-yards to the house on the opening drive.
Once they got the ball back, the Lions went three-and-out on the first drive, forcing a punt from Cameron Nizialek. On the return, Dartmouth's Will Konstant was called for targeting on a block of Turner DeMuth, backing the Big Green up deep into its own territory. A Toba Akinleye sack on third and long gave Columbia the ball back into Dartmouth territory after a punt.
The Lions turned the next drive into points, as a completion from quarterback Skyler Mornhinweg to Nick Durham put Columbia into field goal range on third down. Nizialek then came through, connecting on a 31-yard field goal to make the score 7-3.
The two teams traded punts for most of the second quarter, before Dartmouth broke through on a quick drive. The Big Green went three plays for 59 yards including a five-yard touchdown catch from Dalyn Williams to Victor Williams. Christian Conway broke through to block the extra point, making it a 13-3 ball game, which the score would remain until halftime.
Columbia was able to respond coming out of the locker room at the half, putting together a 13-play, 79-yard drive that ended in a score. Mornhinweg found Dylan Weldon three times on the drive, including a two-yard touchdown strike that made it a 13-9 ballgame.
Neither team was able to put together a scoring drive in the second half, thanks to tough defense on both sidelines.
Facing a third and 27 with 2:07 on the clock, Akinleye and Hunter Little stuffed a run up the middle, forcing a Dartmouth punt. After a fair catch from Jacob Young at the 36, the Lions took over with 1:42 on the clock.
Cameron Molina was able to give the Lions a first down after a reception of 12 yards. After a false start, Columbia had a first and 15 from the 43. Mornhinweg was rushed hard on three straight plays, bringing up a fourth down. A desperation pass down the middle was intercepted with under a minute to play, and Dartmouth was able to kneel out the ball for the win.
A stout Columbia defensive effort was led by Little, who tallied two sacks on the Big Green's Ivy League Player of the Year candidate, Williams. Hyeamang and Akinleye added another sack each, as Akinleye also had a crucial fumble recovery in the first half. For the game, Williams was sacked six times and had -25 yards rushing, the lowest total of his stellar career.
Molina tallied 22 carries for 56 yards, while catching seven passes for 36 yards. Hollis was also able to grab seven catches for 30 yards, while Weldon had three receptions for 20 yards and the score.
Up next, Columbia will travel to Yale for a 12:30 p.m. showdown with the Bulldogs.