The Orange and Blue shocked the crowd with an unbelievable game-winning play against Lafayette on Oct. 21. Colin Jonov ’18 returned a 95-yard interception in overtime to advance the Bison to a 13-7 victory at Fisher Stadium. The team advanced their season record to 4-3.

Jonov described the emotions he felt when scoring the game-changing touchdown for the Bison.

“It’s an indescribable feeling. Initially I saw a cutback, and I took it. And then, after I saw the cutback, I saw nothing but green. I was just thinking ‘Do not go down no matter what. Just stay on your feet and score.’ And that’s what happened,” Jonov said.

The game began as a defensive struggle. The Bison and Leopards both combined for a total of 394 offensive yards and 22 first downs. The game’s victory marked the Bison’s 600th in program history.

The Bison scored a touchdown at the 12:56 mark of the first quarter, bringing the score to 7-0, when Drew Newcomb ’19 intercepted Lafayette’s pass and dashed 31 yards up the Bison sideline for a touchdown. Although the Leopards held an 11:07 to 3:53 time possession advantage, the Bison’s lock-down defense held them to just 64 total offensive yards in the first quarter.

During the second quarter, neither team made any gains in terms of offense. Lafayette had the opportunity to score at the 9:07 mark in the second quarter but failed to do so. This score attempt occurred after Lafayette forced a strip sack to put the Leopard’s offense on the Bison’s 39. The Bison’s defense remained steadfast during all four downs, forcing Lafayette to punt.

To even the game score, Lafayette covered 60 yards in eight plays for a touchdown. After a 49-yard punt, the Bison took over possession at the Leopard’s six-yard line. Quarterback John Chiarolanzio ’20 executed a 17-play, 69-yard drive, emphasized by a 13- yard reception to Marquis Carter ’21. The Orange and Blue were brought into field goal range after that play, but John Burdick ’18 missed his 42-yard field goal attempt with 1:19 left in the competition.

In overtime the Bison won the coin toss and settled on a defensive start. On the first play in overtime, Jonov picked off O’Malley’s pass and sprinted 95 yards for the victory touchdown.

Conclusively, the Bison beat Lafayette in total offensive yards (208-186). Chiarolanzio completed 14 of 25 passes for a total of 129 yards. Jack Horan ’18 led the Bison with 43 receiving yards, and running back Chad Freshnock ’20 concluded with 50 rushing yards. Bryan Marine ’19 led the Bison with nine tackles (eight solo), while linebacker Mark Pyles ’18 was next with eight (six solo).

The Bison will take their momentum from this striking victory into their encounter with the Raiders on Oct. 28 at Colgate.