Run to Glory!

Johnathan Reese began his record 2000 season with a big night vs. Fordham


Game of the Day (Day 17)

September 16, 2000

Columbia 43 Fordham 26


The Lions began their 2000 with a home night game at Wien Stadium. It took a while for Columbia to warm up, but junior Johnathan Reese eventually steamrolled them to victory.

The Lions did score first on a 54-yard opening drive capped off by QB Jeff McCall's five-yard TD run.

But easily marched down the field on the Rams' next two possessions to take a 14-7 lead before the Lions got hot again. First, McCall hit wide receiver Doug Peck with a 23-yard TD to tie it up, and when Fordham fumbled the ensuin kickoff, McCall found Jarel Cockburn on the very next play for an 11-yard TD and a 21-14 lead.

Fordham would not go away in the wild second quarter. The Rams scored on their next possesion on a short TD run and then hit field goals of 34 and 40 yards their next two times with the ball to make it 26-21 at the half.

But the second half belonged to Reese. He led the way on an 80-yard drive to open the third quarter and finished it off with a nine yard TD run. Then, after an interception by Philip Murray gave Columbia the ball at the Ram 30, Reese gained all the yards on the ensuing TD drive going in from the one to make it 36-26.

In the fourth quarter McCall and Cockburn hooked up one final time for a 23-yard TD on fourth and three.

Reese finished with 172 yards rushing on the night and established himself as the real deal.