Bailey Bails Out Harvard in 20-17 Hail Mary and Lateral Miracle Against Colgate

No. 20/22 Harvard miraculously defeated No. 22/20 Colgate with a “Bailey Bailout” Hail Mary and lateral as time expired, extending the Crimson’s undefeated home-opener streak to 25 games in a dramatic 20-17 win under Saturday night lights.

Harvard (3-0, 1-0 Ivy League) scored a go-ahead touchdown with just over two minutes to play to give itself a 14-10 lead, but after the Raiders (4-2, 1-0 Patriot League) answered with their own late touchdown, the Crimson once again saw itself down three points with 27 seconds left in the game.

Sophomore quarterback Charlie Smith connected twice with freshman receiver Nate Bailey to get Harvard within range for a 57-yard field goal, which would have been the longest in program history. A false start bumped the Crimson back, forcing the Hail Mary attempt instead.

Smith’s deep heave was caught eight yards short of paydirt near the left hashmark by sophomore tight end Teigan Pelletier, who was held up by defenders. Pelletier maintained his footing and pitched a lateral to freshman wide receiver Nate Bailey, who motored left, looking to turn the corner of the prevent Colgate defense. Bailey’s speed allowed him to beat out each defender, and he dived into the left pylon to seal the walk-off victory.

The rookie receiver’s role in the miracle made sure that his historic night would not be ruined. Bailey finished with 16 receptions — the second most in school history — which he turned into 197 receiving yards and the game-winning touchdown.

Facing a Colgate defense that entered the game tied for fifth in the FCS in points allowed, the Crimson turned its first four red zone trips into just seven points. But after the Raiders kicked a field goal with seven minutes left, Harvard executed when it mattered, marching for a 10-play, 78-yard touchdown drive highlighted by a 30-yard third-down conversion by Bailey.

Although the Crimson’s offense put together a 10-play, 78-yard touchdown march to take a 14-10 lead with just over two minutes remaining, Colgate responded by attacking the holes in Harvard’s prevent defense.

With thirty seconds to go, the visitors faced third and 10 from the Crimson’s 13-yard line. Sophomore wideout Matt Fogler found himself matched up one-on-one alone to the left of the formation with junior defensive back DJ Vincent-Thomas. Stearney threw Fogler a fade by the pylon, and the sophomore leaped into the air, winning the 50-50 ball and just managing to get his toe down for what would have been the game-winning score.

A game script built around screen passes and short out routes behind the sticks allowed Smith to shine once more, as the sophomore went 31-for-45 for 369 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.

Next Saturday, the Harvard team will make the odyssey up to Ithaca, N.Y., to take on Cornell (2-1, 1-0). The game will kick off at 1 p.m. EDT.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

—Staff writer Connor Castañeda can be reached at [email protected].

—Staff writer Maxwell P. Friedman can be reached at [email protected].

—Staff writer Samuel S. Rudavsky can be reached at [email protected].