NEW YORK, Ny. — Everyone inside Wien Stadium was on their feet in the fourth quarter as #16 Columbia tied the game at 21 with 5:18 left. #9 Brown’s offense took the field and ate up the clock as they marched toward the goal line and scored to put them ahead for good. However Columbia’s return man dropped the ensuing kickoff and Brown recovered it in the end zone to finalize the scoring at 35-21 in favor of the Bears.

Columbia’s head coach Memphis Noguiera was disappointed in the end result but pleased with the way his team kept fighting until the end.

“I think we showed some outstanding resiliency. We entered the locker room at the half down two touchdowns and giving the ball back. But we adjusted the defensive game plan and had a few breaks go our way in the second half to tie it back up. In the end, Brown overpowered us by playing our own game and I think that’s a testament to Brown’s coaching and players that they answered when they needed to.”

There are no easy wins in the Ivy League and Coach Noguiera looked to build on this performance as the Lions move forward in conference play despite not getting the victory this week.

“I think our guys and our game plan work, just sometimes things don’t fall your way. Our option offense is a slow, imposing attack akin to death by 1,000 cuts. If we can dominate time of possession and limit turnovers, we’re going to be in a dogfight by the fourth quarter. We face two issues moving forward. Tweaking our defense to ensure we get the ball more than the other guys, and not turning the ball over. If we can accomplish that, I think we stand a chance to stay in the fight for the Ivy and the National Championship.”

There were some concerns as Columbia lost their starting running back on the second-to-last play of the game. Coach Memphis Noguiera was cautiously optimistic when asked about the injury.

“That’s a wonderful thing about playing and going to school at Columbia. We have our own research hospital a few blocks away. Marcus was taken there after the game to get some tests done. We run a robust rotation at the A-Back position, so those guys have the experience to go on without him. Because of that, we’re going to be conservative with his prognosis. He’s got a bright life beyond football and I’m sure he would love to have two working knees for it.”

Brown’s head coach identified themselves as “Mrs. Spit” and did not have a lot to say in the post game press conference. They were happy with the defensive unit and admitted that the fumble played a key role in the victory.

“We had some big defensive stops when it mattered and a little bit of luck at the end there.”

The Bears made some obvious adjustments after the end of the third quarter but Coach Spit didn’t reveal too many secrets.

“Told my boys they had to saddle up if they wanted to get out there alive. I think they got the message and put everything they had out there.”

Brown’s leader was optimistic about the rest of the season and had a message for the other contenders in the Ivy League.

“We are a top competitor for sure. Entirely enthusiastic about seeing what we can for the rest of the season. We’re a tough team. Not to be overlooked by anyone.”

Brown moves to 5-1 on the year and will face Princeton in next week’s match up. Columbia drops to 4-2 but looks to bounce back against Cornell in Week Eight.