Moment #89: Waller and Olinger Put it on Ice

In Moment #94, Columbia LB Mike Waller was the hero with a drive-killing interception.

In Moment #97, Columbia LB Zach Olinger was the hero with a touchdown-saving forced fumble.

In Moment #89, and the final moment from the 2012 season opener against Marist, Waller and Olinger would combine to finally preserve the Lion victory.

After the apparent 76-yard TD pass to Anthony Calcagni was called back, Marist still kept about half of the gains from that play and was set up with a 1^st down and 10 at the Columbia 39.

The the CU defense kicked it into another gear.

In 1^st down, Waller and Shad Sommers held a Red Fox run to just two yards. On 2^nd and 8, Malcom Thaxton almost intercepted Chris Looney’s pass. On 3^rd down, another Looney pass fell incomplete.

Out of field goal range and needing to go for it, Marist then was so flustered that it committed a 5-yard delay of game penalty setting up a 4^th and 13 at the Columbia 42.

Looney then tried a pass near first down territory in the middle of the field, but Waller got a hand on it and tipped it into the arms of Olinger for an interception.

Sean Brackett and Marcorus Garrett took over from there, burning off the final 3:08 of the game with six runs and one safe pass to Isaiah Gross before the final kneel down to end the game.

Mike Waller with two young fans