Fast Start

I'm still not sure who Pataki was really rooting for that day

Game of the Day (Day 18)

October 25, 1997

Columbia 21 Yale 10


A rainy sky kept many of the Columbia faithful away, (or at least delayed them), from a Homecoming showdown with the Elis. Those who were late missed an enormous first quarter outburst that propelled the Lions to a big win. Luckily for Yale College and Columbia Law School alumnus and then-Governor George Pataki, he got there on time, (Pataki spent the first half on the Yale side and the second half in the home stands).

It started with a long opening drive led by QB Bobby Thomason. He had big runs of 17 and 22 yards before hitting wide receiver Armand Dawkins for a 25-yard TD and the 7-0 lead.

The Bulldogs looked like they were going to tie it right back up on the ensuing kickoff return, but special teams all-star Roy Hanks caught a streaking Chris Turitto at the Columbia 26. Later in the drive, the Lions stuffed Yale on fourth and goal at the one, and the threat was over.

Columbia proceeded to march 99 yards down the field for another score. This time the key plays were Thomason passes for 21 and 19 yards before he took it in himself from the one.

On Yale's next possession, Chris Tillotson picked off an Eli pass at the Yale 34 and ran it in for a TD.

Columbia's offense was terribly stalled after that, but the remnants of the dominant 1996 defense held on.

The win over Yale was the beginning of the best period of the 1997 season for the Lions. They followed it up with a 17-0 win over Princeton the following week and narrowly lost to defending Ivy champ Dartmouth, also at home by a 23-21 score the week after that.