Harvard defeated Colgate 20-17 Saturday night on a final-second lateral touchdown that kept the Crimson unbeaten on the season.
With no time remaining, quarterback Charlie Smith fired a pass downfield to Teigan Pelletier near the end zone. Pelletier, surrounded by Raiders defenders, lateraled the ball to Nate Bailey, who punched it into the end zone as the clock hit zero.
Colgate had taken a 17-20 lead with 27 seconds remaining on a 13-yard touchdown pass from Jake Stearney to Matt Fogler. Harvard responded with a final drive that moved them into field goal range before a false start penalty pushed them out of range.
"It's the kind of play that works only when everyone involved stays calm and keeps their eyes up," Harvard head coach Andrew Aurich said.
Bailey finished with 16 receptions for 197 yards and the game-winning touchdown. His reception total marks the second-most in a single game in Harvard history, five short of Carl Owens' program record.
Smith completed 369 passing yards with two touchdown passes.
For Colgate, Stearney went 21-of-39 with 188 passing yards and a touchdown. Wide receiver Matt Fogler had 12 catches for 138 yards and a touchdown.
Harvard improved to 3-0 on the season. The win marks a significant position in the Ivy League, where parity among the eight schools makes every game meaningful.
