Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Columbia
Last Minute Victory Over Columbia For Bucknell Football
9/29/2000 8:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 23, 2000
LEWISBURG, Pa. --- Senior quarterback Lucas Phillips (Glen Burnie, Md./Mt. St. Joseph's) connected with sophomore receiver Jim Horan (Pittsburgh, Pa./Central Catholic) with the clock winding down to give Bucknell a thrilling 12-10 last-minute victory over Columbia. With just 24 seconds remaining and no timeouts, the Bison trailed 10-6 and were looking at a third-and-goal from the eight-yard line. Horan ran a slant pattern along the goal line and cradled-in Phillips' pass as he hit the ground to put the Bison on top 12-10.
Bucknell failed to convert on the extra point attempt, keeping the game within a field goal's reach for the Lions. However, senior strong safety Justin Lustig (Erie, Pa./Cathedral Prep) iced the game for the Bison with a leaping interception with only five seconds remaining.
Senior free safety Kevin Eiben (Delta, British Columbia/Vancouver College) set up Bucknell's game-winning drive with a 33-yard punt return to the Columbia 18-yard line. After initially bobbling the punt, he regained his composure and swept right through a hole to the far sideline where it was a footrace.
The Bison offense got on the board early, scoring on their first possession on a Jabu Powell (Orlando, Fla./Dr. Phillips) 1-yd touchdown run. Powell followed up last week's record-breaking performance with 124 yards on 29 carries today, eclipsing the 100-yard mark for the seventh time in his career. The big play that set up the score was a 44-yard pass to Horan that got Bucknell to the three-yard line. Chris Lundberg (Phoenix, Ariz./Thunderbird) was unable to convert the point-after, and Bucknell lead 6-0.
After having only 26 yards of offense in the first quarter, the Columbia offense finally put together a drive, moving the ball 59 yards on 14 plays and chewing up 7:17 on the game clock. Bucknell's "bend-but-don't-break" defense forced the Lions to settle for a 31-yard field goal by sophomore Dany Berghoff, cutting the Bison lead to 6-3. The teams failed to put additional points on the board, and that's where the score stood at half.
The momentum that Columbia gained in the second quarter carried into the start of the second half. Bucknell got the ball to start, and was forced to punt it away after just three plays, giving the Lions good field position. They were able to capitalize, going 49 yards in just four plays to gain their first lead of the game at 10-6. On a fourth-and-one from the Bison 40-yard line, tailback Johnathan Reese stunned the Bison and the home crowd when he broke through the line and headed down the right sideline all the way to paydirt and a 40-yard score. Reese carried the ball 30 times for 145 yards against the Bison defense.
Bucknell had its initial chance to reclaim the lead when it took over possession at its own 46-yard line with 7:24 remaining. Powell did the legwork, gaining 35 yards on four rushing attempts during the drive. But on a fourth-and-goal from the five-yard line, Phillips' pass intended for Powell fell incomplete and the Lions had thwarted the threat.
But the Bison defense responded, holding the Lions to a three-and-out series which set up Eiben's dramatic punt return and eventually the winning drive.
Chad Marsilio (Beaver Falls, Pa./Blackhawk) and Vince Ficca (Princeton Junction, N.J./Lawrenceville School) led the defensive effort with nine tackles apiece as the Orange and Blue held Columbia to just 122 yards rushing and 78 yards through the air.
Horan finished the day with five catches for 81 yards, while junior George Cowan (Albany, N.Y./Christian Brothers Academy) caught three balls for 34 yards.
Bucknell will host Duquesne next Saturday at 1:00 p.m., while Columbia opens Ivy League play with a home game against Princeton at 1:30 p.m.
