The Leading Lions: Brackett, part 2

Sean Brackett on Signing Day, 2009

If you ever look at those fancy media guides for pro teams, you'll notice they dedicate more than just one page to their top stars.

I remember one year the Miami Dolphins gave up 18 PAGES of their media guide to Dan Marino stats, stories and musings. 

So, with a star returning senior QB like Sean Brackett leading the Lions this year I figure we need another post or two dedicated to #10 this summer. 

Top 10 Moments in #10 Sean Brackett's Columbia Career 

(Listed in chronological order)

1. With 3:08 left to go in the first half of his first collegiate game against Yale, Brackett helped break a scoreless tie with what is still the most exciting single play of his career. He threw a 36 yard TD pass to Taylor Joseph '10 in the back of the north end zone on a beautifully executed flea flicker. The pass caught several Yale defenders flat-footed who clearly didn't think Brackett could throw the ball that far. 

2. Early in the fourth quarter against in the 2010 contest against Princeton, Brackett time his pass perfectly to hit a streaking Andrew Kennedy '11 in the middle of the field for a 40 yard TD. It was Brackett's 5th TD pass of the game, tying the all-time Columbia record.

3. With Columbia leading Lafayette 28-20 late in the fourth quarter in week four of 2010, the Lions faced a 2nd and 7 at the Leopard 12. Then on two consecutive plays, Brackett sacrificed his body to get the game-icing score. He leaped head first to finish an 8-yard run to the four on the first play, then scampered into the corner of the end zone on the next play for the TD. 

4. In week 7 of the 2010 season, Columbia was behind Yale 31-7 late in the 4th quarter. But Brackett would not give up. On a 4th and 5 from the Eli 27, Brackett pushed his way to a 1st down with a six yard run. Three plays later, he hit Kennedy for a 23-yard score the comeback was one. Columbia's effort at a rally just short in a 31-28 loss, but Brackett's determination could never be questioned again. 

5.  In week 9 of the 2010 season, Columbia took over on a possession at its own 30 trailing Cornell 17-3 with two minutes left in the third quarter. Despite a painful shoulder injury, Brackett rushed four times for a total of 44 yards on the 70 yard TD drive. When the Lions scored on a three yard toss to Kennedy to make it 17-10, Brackett was battered but not bowed.

6. With 2:37 left in that Cornell game and the score now 17-13 Big Red, the Lions took over at their own 41 after forcing a punt. But after an incomplete pass and Nick Gerst run for no gain, the game looked like it might end on a big anti-climax. But the still-injured Brackett galloped to a 16 yard run to keep the drive alive.

7. Later in the same drive, Columbia faced a 2nd and Goal at the 1. Out of the shotgun, Brackett took the snap and soared high over the line for the dramatic winning score.

8. In the Homecoming contest against Penn in 2011, Columbia blew a 10-0 lead and went into the locker room at halftime with the game tied at 10-10. But Brackett and co. came out firing in the second half. On the opening possession of the 3rd quarter, Brackett threw the ball four straight times for the entire four play/66 yard drive. Brackett capped it off with a 16-yard toss to TE Hamilton Garner to make it 17-10. 

9. In OT against Brown in the final game of 2011, a still winless Columbia was hanging on by a thread. The Lions trailed the Bears 28-21 and faced a 4th and 1 at the 16. Brackett again willed the drive to stay alive with a two-yard push up the middle for the 1st down. Two plays later, Brackett found Garner for a 14 yard TD pass to send the game into double OT.

10. In the 2nd OT, Brackett needed just three plays, all of them QB runs, to cover the 25 yards and the game winning score. The TD run was a 16-yarder into the west corner of the south end zone.