Brackett, Columbia rushing game too much for Towson in 24-10 victory

Columbia holds off Towson 24-10

NEW YORK — Sean Brackett rushed for 89 yards and passed for 117 yards and a touchdown as Columbia defeated Towson 24-10 on Saturday.

Leon Ivery and Nick Gerst had rushing touchdowns for the Lions (1-1), who outgained the Tigers on the ground 224-87.

Columbia led 14-3 when Towson (1-3) got the ball on its own 38. Chris Hart faked a handoff and hit a wide-open Hakeem Moore for a 62-yard touchdown with 5:44 left in the third quarter.

The Lions padded their lead to 21-10 on Gerst’s first career touchdown, a 13-yard run with 14:53 to go.

Calvin Otis, who had two interceptions, picked off a Hart pass to start the Lions final scoring drive at their own 9, culminating in Luke Eddy’s 37-yard field goal.

Towson threatened to score, driving 80 yards, but Columbia’s Josh Martin had two sacks after the Tigers were first-and-goal from the 9. Towson turned the ball over on downs.