The Bulldogs were able to string together another effective drive and milk some clock in the process. The 13-play, 73-yard drive consumed over six minutes and concluded with three more Yale points. MAnte’s third field goal extended the Eli lead to 15, 27-12 and forces the Lions into a do-or-die situation on their next drive. With only 4:20 remaining on the clock, Columbia needs to get into the end zone quickly.
Throughout the contest, the Bulldogs have dished out some big hits, in all phases of the game. And that could not be better exemplified than in Ricky Galvez’s trucking of a Columbia defender. The 5-fo0t-7 backup tailback squared his shoulders and drove back a Lion a couple yards. The play pumped the Bulldogs up and has led to some chippiness, including a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty on Columbia. The penalty puts the Bulldogs in the red zone as they look to put the game away with just over 6 minutes left on the clock.
After an impressive 6-play, 51-yard drive, in which the Bulldog offense looked at its best all game, the Bulldogs were not able to put points on the board due to a miscue on a 37-yard attempt. On the snap, holder Rich Scudellari had the ball slip right through his hands, forcing Mante to jump on the football.
Luckily for Yale, the Lions couldnt take advantage with their next drive and punted to Yale. Those are the instances in which Columbia needs to capitalize on, especially being down by 12 with 10:30 on the clock.
Just when you thought they were down and out, the Lions march down the field and put a touchdown on the board, with Shane Kelly replacing Olwaule less. Kelly led the Lions on a 10-play, 80-yard drive but couldn’t convert the 2-point conversion. With 1:15 on the clock in the third quarter, the Yale lead is now 24-12.
Inside their own 20, the Lions made things a little easier for the Bulldogs again. Scrambling out of the pocket, Oluwale fumbled and three plays later, McLeod scored his third touchdown from 2 yards out. WIth the touchdown, McLeod doubled his season’s touchdown total to six.
The Bulldogs are wreaking the benefits of great special teams and defensive play, which has led to great field position throughout for the Elis. For a defensive-oriented squad, that is huge for Yale.
Despite the short field to work with, the Bulldogs couldn’t punch it into the end zone and concluded the series with a Mante 37-yard field goal. With 8:52 remaining in the third quarter, the Bulldogs now lead 17-6. Time of possession will be key down the stretch. In their last two losses, the Bulldogs have been dominated in the possession department — particularly in the second half and fourth quarter. To do that, the defense needs to force quick Columbia drives and the offense needs to establish the run and string together some positive plays.
Another Lions special teams error — a shanked punt by Jon Rocholl — gives the Bulldogs the ball on the Lion 30-yard line. This is exactly what a struggling Yale offense needs and exactly what Columbia needs to avoid.
Yale’s first series concluded with another booming Mante punt and a Columbia mistake by punt returner by Mike Stephens. Instead of letting the ball go into the end zone, Stephens made a bad decision in returning the punt from inside the one and was met by great Yale coverage. The Lions now have to start another drive inside their own 10, this time on the 3-yard line.
If the Bulldogs continue winning this field position battle, Columbia won’t have much of a chance to come back and win.
The teams head into intermission with the Bulldogs leading 14-6. The scoreboard may make it seem that the Eli offense has righted the ship, but that isn’t the case. Both scores were set up by great field position and the offense simply can’t sustain much of anything.
35 of Hart’s 55 passing yards came on one play and McLeod has average just 2.3 yards per carry. On the other hand, Columbia has done a great job moving down the field, but just doesn’t the points to show for it. After throwing an interception in the game’s first play, Olwuwale settled down and has completed 12 of his 17 passes for 103 yards. He’s also rushed for 70 yards on 10 carries. Things need to change for the Bulldogs or the Lions can find their way right back into the game.
With Columbia marching down the field once again, the Bulldogs registered two consecutive sacks to force the Lions into a 3rd and 22 situation. The Lions eventually turned the ball over on downs after going for it on 4th down.
After a 3 and out, the Lion offense looked to punt but with just over 4:30 remaining in the first half, the Eli special teams came through with its first punt block of the season. The Peter Balsam block was recovered by Shane Bannon and set up another McLeod touchdown three plays laters. The Bulldogs’ 14 points is the team’s highest total since their win over Dartmouth three weeks ago. The lead is now 14-6 with 3:06 remaining in the half.