Yale squanders lead in loss By David Fierro

Yale amassed more than twice as many yards as Columbia did during Saturday’s Ivy League football showdown and moved the into Lions territory numerous times.

Yet it certainly didn’t reflect it on the scoreboard.

In a game involving a pair of banged up teams playing backup quarterbacks in inclement weather, capitalizing on scoring opportunities was especially significant on Saturday.

And Columbia cashed in on just enough of its chances to overtake Yale.

On the strength of sterling special teams play, Columbia scored 14 unanswered second-half points and posted a well-earned 17-10 victory over Yale at windy and rainy Robert K. Kraft Field at Lawrence A. Wien Stadium.

The Lions, who had lost to the Bulldogs the previous two seasons, improved their record to 4-3 overall and 1-3 in Ivy League play. The defeat was the second straight for Yale, which dropped to 4-3 overall and 2-2 in conference play.

Yale sophomore Jimmy Check started at quarterback in place of Kurt Rawlings, who is sidelined for the remainder of the season after suffering multiple fractures in his leg in last week’s loss 23-10 loss to Penn.

Meanwhile, Columbia continued to have to shuffle in and out quarterbacks. Ryan Suitt got the start , but was replaced by Matt Dame, after getting injured while being tackled near the sideline in the second half. Columbia has been forced to play five quarterbacks this season due to injuries.

The Bulldogs outgained the Lions 428-160 and held a 238-51 advantage in passing yards. But reaching the end zone was a problem for Yale, which lost the field of position battle on Saturday.

“I give credit to them and their coaching staff, they outplayed us and they made the plays that we didn’t,” Yale coach Tony Reno said. “Give them credit for getting the outcome they deserved. We moved the ball all over the place, but we couldn’t put the ball in the end zone. Not finishing drives was key, we also dropped a couple of picks and we had a chance to put the game away, but didn’t. All of those things matter in a game.”

Running back Ryan Young was one of the difference-makers for the Lions, rushing for 91 yards on 19 carries, including a 30-yard touchdown run that gave his team a 17-10 lead with 14:54 remaining in the fourth quarter.

“I couldn’t be prouder of our kids,” said Columbia coach Al Bagnoli, a Connecticut native. “The volume of things that have happened to us this year has been staggering. This is really a tremendous win.”

After being held to 49 yards in the opening half, while facing a 10-3 deficit, Columbia used a short field to tie the score late in the third quarter. A partially blocked punt gave the Lions the ball at the Bulldogs’ 30-yard line. Suitt connected with wide receiver Casey Mariucci for a 15-yard game, then threw a 16-yard scoring strike to Mariucci, evening the score at 10-10 at the 5:23 mark of the third quarter.

Taking over at Yale’s 45-yard line late in the third quarter, following a punt, the home team scored four plays later, with Young, a freshman breaking free for a 30-yard touchdown run.

Yale missed a 37-yard field goal into a stiff wind and had a drive halted at Columbia’s 37-yard line after a Daniel DeLorenzi sack in the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs’ final drive ended at the Lions’ 23-yard line, courtesy of a interception by senior Ryan Gilbert.

Check completed 18 of 35 passes for 238 yards and junior Alan Lamar rushed for 77 yards and one touchdown for the visitors.

“I think I settled into the game as it went on, but offensively, we need to do better,” said Check, who made his first career start for Yale. “We started out slow, but toward the end of the first half we began moving the ball, as they were playing a lot of deep zone coverage.”

Added Reno: “Let’s face it, Rawlings is the best quarterback in the league. But Jimmy grew as the game went on. We are looking forward to seeing his continued improvement.”

After struggling to find its rhythm on offense during its first six possessions, the Bulldogs put together a 66-yard scoring drive late in the second quarter, behind the running of Lamar and sophomore Zane Dudek. Lamar broke free for a 44-yard run in which he dashed down the left sideline, giving Yale a first down at the Columbia 22yard line. Following a 7yard reception by JP Shohfi, Dudek moved the pile and bulled his way forward for a 9-yard run, making it first-and-goal at the Lions’ 6-yard line.

“I think we ran the ball pretty well, but we could have done more with our running plays and put us in better positions to score,” Lamar said. “We need more production on offense. Our team has a lot of weapons, but we are not scoring enough points, even though we don’t have trouble moving the ball on anyone.”

Senior Alex Galland converted a 20-yard field goal as time expired in the second quarter, giving Yale a 10-3 edge. Chris Alleyne, a senior, booted a career-best 51-yard field goal for the victors.

“Special teams, that was the key,” Bagnoli said. “We hit a 51-yard field goal to get us on the board early, our punter (Drew Schmid), pinned them deep with good punts, we blocked a punt and we didn’t let them return many punts. I think that’s what ultimately decided it — the kicking game.”

Said Reno: “We didn’t seize the opportunities that were presented to us. We are a good football team, but we didn’t play well today.”