Columbia
1-3
Wagner
0-5
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wagner | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Columbia | 17 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 26 |
Football Takes Down Wagner 26-3 For First Win Under Al Bagnoli
10/10/2015 9:06:00 PM | Football
NEW YORK - The Columbia football team scored 17 first quarter points and never looked back to pick up a 26-3 victory over Wagner, giving Patricia and Shepard Alexander head coach Al Bagnoli his first win with the Lions. Columbia (1-3) dominated in all three phases of the game to put the Lions back in the win column for the first time since Nov. 10, 2012.
Junior quarterback Skyler Mornhinweg led the Columbia rushing attack with 74 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries, while Cameron Molina added 55 rushing yards and a touchdown.
The Lions opening drive helped set a tone for the remainder of the game as Columbia marched 66 yards on 15 plays to take the early lead.
Mornhinweg connected with Cameron Dunn and John Hunton for 16 and 24 yards, respectively, helping to march the Lions down the field before Molina punched it in from six yards out for the first score of the game with 9:46 remaining in the first quarter.
On the next play from scrimmage, Max Keefe scooped up an Alex Thomson fumble in the end zone for a defensive score. The Lions then closed out the first quarter with a 20-yard field goal from Cameron Nizialek, extending the cushion to 17-0.
The start of the second quarter was once again highlighted by the Columbia offensive attack. For the fourth-consecutive drive, the Lions added to their lead after Mornhinweg ran for a 32-yard touchdown on a quarterback read option.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Seahawks' (0-5) returner muffed the ball at the 1, stepped back into the end zone and took a knee, resulting in a safety to increase the Lions lead to 26-0. It was the second consecutive week Columbia drew a safety after Keefe's blocked punt at Princeton on Oct. 2.
Following a Columbia punt, Wagner drove all the way down to the Lions' 1, but with a strong goal line stand and an offensive false start, the Seahawks were held to a field goal, sending the Lions into the half with a 26-3 lead, their first halftime lead since Oct. 20, 2012.
In the second half, the Columbia defense prevented any possible comeback forcing two punts, a four-and-out and two turnovers, on five Wagner possessions. With 7:18 remaining in the fourth quarter JD Hurt picked off Thomson's pass, the second of his career, to seal the victory.
The Lions rushing attack, led by Molina and Mornhinweg, ran out the remainder of the time with the Lions closing out the game in victory formation.
The 26 -3 win for the Lions was the largest margin of victory for Columbia since a 42-14 triumph over Princeton on Oct. 2, 2010.
The Lions will return to action next week to face Bagnoli's former team, Penn at Robert K. Kraft Field on Saturday, Oct. 17, at 3:30 p.m. on Homecoming. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN3, the WatchESPN app and the Ivy League Digital Network.
Team Stats
WAGNER 0, COL 7
COL - Molina, Cameron 6 yd run (Nizialek, C. kick), 15 plays, 66 yards, TOP 5:13
WAGNER 0, COL 14
COL - Keefe, Max 2 yd fumble recovery (Nizialek, C. kick)
WAGNER 0, COL 17
COL - Nizialek, C. 20 yd field goal 10 plays, 53 yards, TOP 3:22
WAGNER 0, COL 24
COL - Mornhinweg, S. 32 yd run (Nizialek, C. kick), 5 plays, 63 yards, TOP 2:31
WAGNER 0, COL 26
COL - TEAM 0 yd safety
WAGNER 3, COL 26
WAGNER - MALEY, Bryan 23 yd field goal 11 plays, 83 yards, TOP 5:55
