Sept. 3, 2005
Harvard 41, Columbia 27 (scrimmage)
ALLSTON, MASS. - The Columbia starting quarterback job is still up for grabs, after strong performances by both would-be Lion signal-callers against the Harvard Crimson in a scrimmage played in Boston. Craig Hormann (So., Indianapolis, In.) threw for 168 yards on 10-of-15 passing, including 141 yards in the first half. Co-captain Joe Winters (Sr., Jacksonville, Fl.) completed 11-21 for 124 yards with one interception. Both quarterbacks rotated throughout the contest, playing effective football when in the game.
Harvard took an early 7-0 lead when Liam O'Hagan hit Corey Mazza for a 13-yard touchdown after recovering a fumble deep in Columbia territory. The Lions took only two plays to roar right back into the contest. On the first play of the next possession, Hormann hit Jim Besselman (Jr., Marietta, Ga.) with a 73-yard bomb down the right sideline. On the next play from scrimmage, James Cobb (Jr., Stamford, Conn.) bounced off left tackle from seven yards out to tie the game at 7-7.
The Lions dominated play in the second quarter, scoring 14 points on back-to-back possessions at the start of the period. With 12 minutes remaining in the second, Hormann hit Pete Chromiak (Sr., Philadelphia, Pa.) over the middle for a 34-yard touchdown to cap a 67-yard drive. On the Lions next possession, Winters completed a touchdown pass to Nick DeGasperis (Jr., Schenectady, N.Y.) in the back of the endzone. DeGasperis' circus catch gave the Lions a 21-14 advantage. The Lions would take a 21-20 lead into the locker room at halftime after holding Harvard to two field goals in the red zone.
"Joe and Craig both played well," said Lions' Head Coach Bob Shoop. "Our quarterbacks played efficient football when they were on the field. Both men have put themselves in a position to win the starting job."
On defense, the Lions' starting defensive backs had an active game. Safety Keenan Shaw (Sr., Carlsbad, Ca.) intercepted a pass, and was credited with two passes defended. Tad Crawford (Jr., Burlington, Ontario) led the team with nine tackles. Columbia rested many of its defensive starters in the second half, and Harvard took advantage, scoring 21 points in the final 27 minutes.
Extra Points
James Cobb led the Lions with 48 yards rushing ... Columbia's freshman punters also rotated throughout the game; P/K Jon Rocholl (Fr., Fort Wayne, In.) averaged 39.5 yards on four punts including a 51-yarder in the 1st quarter ... Rocholl also hit a 38-yard FG near the end of the third quarter ... TE Jamal Russell (So., Baton Rouge, La.) made a nice diving catch in the 3rd ... 12 different players caught passes for the Lions ... Harvard All-America tailback Clifton Dawson scored on a 31-yard run in the third quarter. Dawson finished with 56 yards rushing and 55 yards receiving on the day. Only four quarterback sacks were recorded, despite a quick whistle rule designed to protect both teams' quarterbacks from injury.
