Varga lifts Yale past Army in OT

Sep 27, 2014 - 9:32 PM New Haven, CT (SportsNetwork.com) - An Ivy League team had not played an FBS opponent since 1996 or beaten one since 1986, but Yale made it worth the wait on Saturday.

Senior Tyler Varga rushed for five touchdowns, including a 3-yarder to cap overtime, and the Bulldogs slipped past Army, 49-43, to help celebrate the 100th anniversary season at the Yale Bowl.

Army place-kicker Daniel Grochowski missed a 25-yard field goal attempt on the opening possession of overtime, setting up Yale (2-0) for a chance at an upset.

The win was the seventh by an FCS team over an FBS squad this season.

Army had defeated Yale, 39-13, on Oct. 5, 1996 in the most recent game pitting an Ivy League team against the FBS. The two schools used to play regularly, and Yale extended its series lead to 22-16-8.

The last Ivy win over an FBS team was Penn's 30-26 triumph at Navy on Oct. 18, 1986.

Varga finished with 185 yards on 28 carries. Yale forced overtime at 43-43 on his 10-yard touchdown run with 1:42 left to play in the fourth quarter.

Aaron Kemper's 74-yard kickoff return late in the third quarter set up Army quarterback Angel Santiago's 1-yard touchdown run on the first play of the fourth quarter, giving the Cadets (1-3) a 43-36 lead.

Yale quarterback Morgan Roberts continued his hot start to the season, completing 23-of-40 pass attempts for 290 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

The two teams combined for 1,222 yards of offense.

Yale is averaging 51.5 points per game, having defeated Lehigh, 54-43, in its season opener last Saturday.