PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Marcus Libman's four-yard touchdown grab in overtime gave the Columbia football team a 31-24 victory over Brown Saturday afternoon. The Lions (5-4, 2-4) scored 21 points in a span of 5:19 in the second quarter to build a big lead, but the Bears (3-6, 1-5) used a strong rushing attack (229 yards and three touchdowns) to get back into the game. In the second half, Brown outscored Columbia 17-0 to force overtime.
 
"We're relieved to come out of here with a win," Patricia and Shepard Alexander Head Coach of Football Al Bagnoli said. "We had chances to put them away, but we couldn't do it. But credit to Brown for sticking in there, and kudos to our kids for making plays when they had to. I didn't think today was going to be an easy game, and unfortunately, I was a prophet when it came to that prediction."
 
Despite falling into the early hole, the Bears' defense, after seeing several passes get tipped at the line, gave Columbia a dose of its own medicine to get back into the game midway through the second quarter. Bell had a pass deflected into the air, and the ball fell into the arms of a diving Harrison Ochs with 6:34 before the half. Brown took advantage of the short field and used an Allen Smith one-yard rushing touchdown to make it a two-possession game heading into the break.
 
The score stayed that way until the fourth quarter when another McCombs pick led to an Alex Felkins 41-yard field goal early in the frame. However, Brown punched back with a 96-yard scoring drive, and Jordan DeLucia pulled his squad within 24-21 with 7:54 left in regulation.
 
Columbia moved the ball down into the red zone and had the clock down to 2:18, but the Bears came up with a big stop on fourth down to take over on their 17. Aidan Gillman directed a nearly perfect two-minute drill to get into field goal range, but the Lions' defense kept Brown out of the endzone to force a field goal try. Austin Alley lined up from 29 yards out and converted as time expired to extend the game.
 
The Lions started with the ball in the extra session, and Bell found Libman for a critical third-down conversion to keep the drive alive. On 3rd and 4 from the four, Bell rolled to his left to extend the play and found Libman in the back of the endzone for the go-ahead score.
 
Scott Valentas, who finished with 13 defensive tackles, stepped up on the final possession to help Columbia seal the win. The reigning Ivy League Defensive Player of the Week made a tackle on first down and broke up Brown's pass attempt on fourth down to wrap things up.
 
Joey Giorgi posted a career-high 167 rushing yards with a score to lead the Lions' ground attack. Libman finished with five catches for 118 yards, and Caden Bell was 18-of-33 with three touchdown passes.
 
Columbia's defense shined early, forcing a pair of turnovers in the first quarter, and the Lions capitalized on the second takeaway. After Justin Townsend pounced on a loose ball near midfield, Bell hit Canty over the middle for a 26-yard pickup to end the first quarter to put the ball on the Brown 30. On the first play of the second, the duo connected again for Canty's sixth touchdown of the year to put the Lions in front.
 
After a three-and-out by the Bears, Joey Giorgi took a handoff and took it to the house for a 60-yard score to double the Columbia advantage with 11:28 left in the quarter. The Lions then forced another takeaway to set up another touchdown. 
 
Brown moved into the Lions' territory on its next possession, but Fara'ad McCombs read a pass play perfectly to come up with an interception to give the ball back to the Lions. Four plays later, Bell hit Marcus Libman down, who tip-toed down the right sideline, and went 80 yards to make it 21-0 less than two minutes later.
 
The Lions will conclude the 2022 season at home when they face Cornell for the Empire State Bowl on Saturday, November 19. The contest also marks Senior Day for the 32-member class of 2023. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
 
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting www.gocolumbialions.com/tickets or calling 888-LIONS-11.
 
For the latest on the Columbia football team, follow @CULionsFB on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
 
POSTGAME NOTES
- Columbia tied a program record with its fourth road victory of the season. It is the fifth time the Lions have accomplished the feat and the first since 2017.
- The Lions' four interceptions are the most in a game since they did so against Harvard on November 4, 2017.