Halloween Hopes and Horrors

Sean Brackett was playing H.S. football less than a year ago


Yale 23 Columbia 22


Why Yale Won

Eli QB Patrick Witt came in for the second half and neutralized the fierce Lion pass rush with his quick release. That brought life to the Yale offense and eventually gave it the ability to capitalize on late Columbia mistakes.


Why Columbia Lost

The Lions chose the worst time to make their only real errors of the game. Three turnovers in the last few minutes of the contest gave Yale a chance to win... and they did. The mistakes nixed a super effort by a number of backup players who performed magnificently in injury relief.


Key Turning Points

-After taking a 6-0 lead late in the first half, the Lions almost gave up a TD on the ensuing kickoff return. A great play by kicker Greg Guttas saved the big score, but Yale was able to take the great field position and turn it into a 47-yard field goal as the second quarter ended.

-Leadng 22-17 in the 4th and stuck in a 2nd and 7 hole at their own 23, the Lions got a spectacular series of blocks and a super 75-yard run by RB Leon Ivery... only to fumble the ball away to Yale at the Eli 5 on the next play. What could have been the game-clinching score was given away.

-On their ensuing possession with the score still 22-17, Lion frosh QB Sean Brackett, who had put in a spectacular game all day, made his first mistake by fumbling the ball away just at the end of another dazzling run.

-On Yale's ensuing drive, Witt threw an incomplete pass on a 4th an 1, but sophomore linebacker Nick Mistretta was called for defensive holding, and the Elis got new life. They would score the winning TD on the next play.


LION MVP's

Brackett and Lion DL Lou Miller put in super performances and they deserve to share the MVP award this week. Miller had two sacks, should have been credited with a third and was getting held and even tackled by the Yale OL late in the game.

Brackett showed a strong arm, super fast legs, and generally good decision making skills. He was 10 of 19 for 180 yards, three TD's and one INT at the end of the game that I don't think he throws if the Lions hadn't been in such a desperate situation. He also ran for 68 yards on just 15 carries. The potential he showed Saturday will hoepfully act as at least some kind of elixir for Lions fans and players who are surely suffering after such a tough loss.

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