Harvard Wins on Last-Second Lateral Play After Penalty
A crucial false start penalty nearly cost the Crimson, but a quick-thinking lateral secured a dramatic victory over Colgate.
The Harvard Crimson secured a thrilling 20-17 victory over the Colgate Raiders on Saturday, thanks to a remarkable last-second lateral play.
With just 27 seconds remaining, Colgate quarterback Jake Stearney threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Matt Fogler, putting the Raiders ahead. In response, Harvard quarterback Charlie Smith moved the ball upfield, setting up kicker Francisco Moscoso for a potential game-tying field goal. However, a false start penalty on Harvard's special teams moved the ball out of field goal range, seemingly dooming the Crimson.
Facing a final snap with no time left on the clock, Smith launched the ball downfield to Teigan Pelletier. Short of the end zone, Pelletier managed to evade defenders and toss a lateral to Nate Bailey, who then rushed into the end zone as time expired to win the game.
Bailey had a standout performance, finishing with 16 catches for 197 yards and a touchdown. His reception total is the second-most in a single game in Harvard history. Smith contributed 369 passing yards and two touchdown passes.
For Colgate, Stearney completed 21 of 39 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown. Fogler recorded 12 catches for 138 yards and a touchdown.
The win moved Harvard's record to 3-0 on the season, while Colgate fell to 4-2.