Nov. 5, 2005
NEW YORK -- Harvard opened a 41-0 halftime lead in defeating Columbia, 55-7, in sunny, 70-degree weather at Lawrence A. Wien Stadium.
Harvard (5-3, 3-2 Ivy) converted Columbia turnovers into touchdowns three times in the first half, including two touchdowns resulting directly from turnovers: a Craig Hormann interception at the Lions' eight-yard line returned by Robert Balkema and a 31-yard fumble recovery and return by Matt Thomas.
Both scores came in the second quarter, a quarter in which the wheels came off for the Lions. After trailing 14-0 at the end of the first 15 minutes, Columbia (2-6, 0-5 Ivy) yielded 27 second-quarter points. Harvard running back Clifton Dawson rushed 10 times for 60 yards and a touchdown, and made five catches for 64 yards and another TD in the first half.
Joe Winters orchestrated Columbia's only scoring drive in the fourth quarter on his only series in the game. He led the Lions 80 yards -- actually throwing for 88 as a result of penalties and lost yardage -- and completed his first career touchdown pass to junior Jim Besselman for 21 yards on a third-and-goal with just over a minute to play. It was also Besselman's first career touchdown reception.
"It was a double post pattern," Besselman explained. "I turned around and didn't see the ball. I turned around again and the ball just landed in my hands."
Winters, a senior co-captain, was five-of-nine on the drive, including a 16-yard completion to Pete Chromiak on a fourth-and-six.
Sophomore Jordan P. Davis had career bests of five catches and 58 yards to lead the Lion receivers. Senior Brandon Bowser had the long catch of the afternoon, a 44-yarder from Hormann to the Harvard 45-yard line in the second quarter.
The Lions had two other scoring opportunities. Jon Rocholl narrowly missed a 51-yard field goal attempt into a slight wind in the second quarter. Early in the first quarter, Rocholl boomed a 50-yard punt that Harvard fumbled at the 25. Columbia recoverd, but went three-and-out. Harvard followed with touchdowns on consecutive possessions.
Columbia was held to -14 yards rushing for the game. James Cobb carried 11 times for 39 yards.
Harvard quarterbacks Liam O'Hagan and Richard Irvin combined to go 17-of-23 for 208 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions.
Tad Crawford led the Lions in tackles with nine while Adam Brekke had seven. Dan Daylamani forced a fumble.
Columbia plays its final road game of the season at Cornell Nov. 12 at 1 p.m.
