YOU HEAR ME?
Every Columbia game can be heard on gocolumbialions.com with Jerry Recco (play-by-play) and Jake Novak (color) calling the action. Student radio can be found on WKCR 89.9 FM with Destin Jenkins providing play-by-play.
THE SERIES
This is the first-ever meeting between Central Connecticut State and Columbia.
LAST TIME OUT FOR COLUMBIA
Columbia defeated Fordham, 40-28 in the Bronx, to regain the Liberty Cup. Columbia got 118 yards rushing from senior running back Ray Rangel and four touchdowns, two passing and two receiving, from senior quarterback M.A. Olawale.
LAST TIME OUT FOR CENTRAL CONNECTICUT STATE
The Blue Devils come into the game off a bye-week and a 33-14 loss at Top 10 foe William & Mary on September 12. Central Connecticut State senior running back James Mallory was named the NEC Player of the Week on September 8 after a 117-yard performance with a touchdown in CCSU's season-opening 28-21 victory on the road at Lehigh.
STARTING OFF WITH A POW!
After throwing for two touchdowns and rushing for two more scores in Columbia's 40-28 win Saturday at Fordham, senior quarterback M.A. Olawale was named Ivy League Offensive Player of the Week, league officials announced Monday. Newcomer Michael Williamson also took home Ivy League Rookie of the Week honors after his fine punting performance in the win.
Olawale completed 13 of 23 passes for 167 yards, and added 50 yards on the ground, accounting for four touchdowns on the game. The senior captain was named Columbia's most valuable player of the Liberty Cup game, as selected by media members in attendance.
Williamson helped the Lions in the field position game for much of the high-scoring affair, averaging 40.7 yards per punt. His six punts included a 51-yard boot and two punts that landed inside the 20.
SCOUTING THE BLUE DEVILS
Offensively, the Blue Devils are led by senior running back James Mallory. The 5-foot-10 ball carrier rushed for 1,520 yards in 2008 and has three rushing touchdowns through two contests this season. The majority of the snaps at quarterback have been taken this year by senior Hunter Wanket, who has compiled 294 yards and two touchdowns through the air.
On the other side of the ball, junior linebacker Jeff Marino has totaled a team-high 16 tackles this season, including 14 against nationally-ranked William & Mary. Junior defensive back Alondre Rush, who was a first team All-Northeast Conference selection last season, has 12 tackles and a pair of pass breakups, while fellow first-teamer Ray Saunders is another player to watch on the defensive front for CCSU.
WITH PURPOSE
Columbia senior wide receiver Austin Knowlin needs just 393 all-purpose yards to crack the top 14 career total in Ivy League history. He has amassed 3,379 all-purpose yards, including 137 yards in the Lions' win over Fordham. Knowlin also needs just 17 receptions to become Columbia's all-time leader in pass receptions, surpassing Don Lewis '84, and a record that has stood since the 1983 season.
AK ATTACK
Austin Knowlin and Andrew Kennedy combined for 220 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns. Kennedy had 83 yards receiving, while Knowlin totaled 137 yards rushing, receiving, and on all returns.
