Around the Ivies: Quarterbacks shine in league’s opening week

Lafayette 37, Pennsylvania 12

Quarterback Andrew Shoop led the Leopards to end the Football Championship Subdivision’s longest winning streak, as Penn’s run of eight consecutive wins was snapped. Shoop, who only became the starter this week after Ryan O’Neil went down with a concussion last week, passed for four touchdown passes. Shoop passed for two second half scores, including a 73-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Mike Ross in the third quarter. Lafayette defensive back Kyle Simmons ran back an interception for a touchdown, and Shoop's fourth quarter score clinched the win as the Leopards shocked the Quakers in Philadelphia.

Holy Cross 30, Harvard 22

Harvard quarterback Collier Winters led the Crimson to a 14-3 lead and would finish the game with 265 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. One of those interceptions was a 97-yard interception return for a touchdown from Crusaders defensive back Andrew Zitnik. Zitnik’s pick six capped a 27-0 run from Holy Cross, and Harvard was not able to respond as one of the Ivy League favorites fell on the road in Worcester.

Yale 37, Georgetown 27

The Bulldogs topped the Hoyas in New Haven as Yale quarterback Patrick Witt had three passing touchdowns and another on the ground. He racked up 280 yards on 23 of 31 passing while his favorite target Chris Smith had five catches for 104 yards and two touchdowns. Georgetown quarterback Scott Darby had 135 yards and a touchdown in the losing effort. With their win at home, Yale gave the Hoyas their first loss of the season.

Brown 21, Stony Brook 20

The Bears just hung on for the win as 2009’s first team All-Ivy quarterback Kyle Newhall-Caballero rallied his team from a 10-point deficit. Newhall-Caballero found wide receiver Tellef Lundevall for the 12-yard go-ahead touchdown pass with 3:06 left in the game. The Seawolves drove to Brown’s 38-yard line, but Stony Brook kicker Wesley Skiffington missed the long 55-yard field goal attempt as Brown just squeaked by on the road in Stony Brook.

Fordham 21, Columbia 14

After traveling across the Harlem River to play at Fordham, the Lions were leading 7-0 before Rams linebacker Nick Womack sparked his team with a 100-yard interception return—the third 100-yard play in Fordham history and the first that was not a kickoff return. Fordham quarterback Peter Maetzold threw two touchdown passes in the second half to put Fordham up for good.

Dartmouth 37, Colgate 20

Dartmouth running back Nick Schwieger racked up 175 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries as the Big Green won their opener at home in Hanover. The Raiders actually outgained Dartmouth in total offense, 384 to 320 yards, but the Big Green forced the only turnover of the game. After Dartmouth pulled out to a 30-14 lead, Colgate pulled within ten, but Schwieger sealed the deal with a two-yard touchdown run with 3:46 left in the game.

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Cornell 24, Bucknell 13

Despite throwing two early interceptions, Big Red quarterback Jeff Mathews was able to lead his team to a comeback win at home in Ithaca. With Cornell trailing 13-10, Mathews hit wide receiver Shane Savage on a long 64-yard touchdown pass. The Bison attempted a comeback, but with under two minutes left, the Big Red defense forced a turnover on downs. Mathews then finished Colgate off with another long touchdown pass, this one 87 yards, putting the game out of reach for the Bison.