GAME 8 • IVY LEAGUE MATCHUP
COLUMBIA (4-3, 1-3 Ivy League) at HARVARD (3-4, 1-3 Ivy League)
Saturday, November 3, 2018 • Noon ET • Harvard Stadium • Cambridge, Mass.
THE FACTS
Television: NESN/ESPN+ live (Alex Vispoli, Dylan Hornblum; Producer: Imry Halevi).
WATCH LIVE |
ESPN+ FAQ
Columbia Online Radio Network: Alex Oberweger, Shawn FitzGerald.
LISTEN LIVE
Live Stats: https://www.gocrimson.com/landing/index|
LIVE STATS LINK-IVY LEAGUE |
LIVE STATS LINK-HARVARD
Coaches: Columbia-
Al Bagnoli, 4th year at Columbia (16-20), 36th year overall (252-118). Harvard- Tim Murphy, 25th year at HU (171-75), 32nd year (203-120-1).
Series: Columbia and Harvard meet for the 77th time since the series began in 1877. Harvard has claimed each of the last 14 matchups dating back to 2003. The Crimson have defeated the Lions 11 consecutive times at Harvard Stadium. The last time Columbia won at Harvard Stadium was on Sept. 16, 1995, a 28-24 victory.
GAME NOTES
NEW YORK—Columbia (4-3, 1-3 Ivy League) travels to Cambridge, Mass. to play Harvard (3-4, 1-3 Ivy League) on Saturday at Harvard Stadium. The contest marks Columbia's eighth contest of the season with two more games remaining: at Brown (Nov. 10) and vs. Cornell (Nov. 17) at home for Columbia Football Players Club Senior Day.
TODAY'S TOP STORYLINES
- Columbia (4-3) travels to Harvard (3-4) looking to snap a 14-game losing streak to the Crimson.
- Columbia has 20-plus players who are either sidelined for the year or have suffered injuries this season including five players who earned All-Ivy League honors in 2017. Columbia's top three quarterbacks have all endured injuries this season.
- Columbia has won six of its last nine games and 13 of its last 18 games dating back to the conclusion of the 2016 season. The Lions are coming off their most successful season in 21 years after posting an 8-2 record and second place finish in the Ivy League at 5-2 in 2017.
WHERE TO LISTEN/WATCH
The game will be streamed live on ESPN+ and broadcast live on New England Sports Network with Alex Vispoli (play-by-play) and Dylan Hornblum (color analyst) calling action with Imry Halevi producing. The Columbia Online Radio Network will also air a live radio broadcast with
Alex Oberweger (play-by-play) and Shawn FitzGerald (color analyst) calling action. The audio-only broadcast is available for free at www.gocolumbialions.com.
ABOUT THE LIONS
Winners of 13 of its last 18 games, Columbia continues Ivy League play after defeating Yale at home 17-10 last Saturday at Robert K. Kraft Field. A blocked punt, stingy defense, timely offensive plays and favorable field position keyed Columbia as it registered a come-from-behind 17-10 football victory over Yale on a rainy and windy day. Columbia was outgained by Yale in total yardage (428-160), first downs (22-9), passing yards (238-51) and time of possession (33:48-26:12). But the Lions won the field position battle all day long as punter
Drew Schmid pinned Yale inside its own 20-yard line a school-record seven times, placekicker
Chris Alleyne converted the second-longest field goal in school history, a 51-yarder in the first quarter, fourth-string quarterback
Ryan Suitt found tight end
Casey Mariucci for a third quarter 15-yard touchdown pass after
Carson Powell blocked a Yale punt, third-string running back
Ryan Young scored on an impressive 30-yard touchdown run in the third quarter and Columbia's defense held Yale scoreless in the second half and stopped Yale three times in the fourth quarter.
Prior to the Yale victory, Columbia dropped a 28-12 loss to No. 24 Dartmouth in which the Big Green opened up a closely-contested game with three second half touchdowns. Columbia sustained long drives, totaled 314 yards of offense and completed 72 percent of its passes (31-43) for 228 yards, but the Lions could not convert enough of their long drives into touchdowns. The Lions ventured three times into Dartmouth's red zone and came away with only one touchdown. Nine Columbia players were carried off the field with injuries and the Lions went through three quarterbacks on the day as starter
Josh Bean and
Ty Lenhart—both were sidelined with injuries.
In a closely-contested 13-10 loss to Penn on Oct. 13, the Lions had several opportunities to win the game but couldn't convert. On Oct. 6, Columbia concluded its non-conference schedule with a 3-0 record after defeating Marist 34-24 The Lions' Ivy League opener was a 45-10 loss to No. 21/25 Princeton on Friday, Sept. 28. Columbia won its first two games against Northeast Conference champion and NEC preseason favorite Central Connecticut State (41-24) and a Lou Little Cup win at Georgetown (23-15).
In 2017, Columbia completed one of its most successful seasons in school history under Head Coach
Al Bagnoli. In 2018, the Lions returned 14 of 22 starters (seven on offense and seven on defense) and six All-Ivy League selections from a program that recorded its best season in 21 years. Last year, Columbia posted an 8-2 record, finished second in the Ivy League with a 5-2 record, began a season with six straight wins for the first time since 1996, put together the school's longest win streak since 1935 (seven games) and posted one of the nation's top-five best yearly comebacks in the FCS with a five-win improvement from 2016 to 2017. Along the way, it was the Lions' resiliency, toughness and work ethic that captured the attention of their fans, the New York City media and national media members alike.
BACK-TO-BACK WINNING SEASONS
A win Saturday at Harvard would give Columbia Football its fifth victory on the year and back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 1962 and 1963. Columbia registered three straight winning seasons from 1961-63.
MOST WINS OVER TWO-YEAR PERIOD
With its 12 victories over the last two seasons, Columbia is approaching its record for most wins over a two-year period.. It is currently tied for the most wins in back-to-back seasons since the school joined the Ivy League in 1956. Columbia also won 12 games combining 1996 and 1997 seasons.
In the 128-year history of Columbia Football, the record is 17 wins over a two-year period in both 1901-02 and 1903-04. Other top winningest two-year periods include 16 wins in 1899-1900; 15 wins in 1900-01, 1933-34, 1932-33 and 1902-03; 14 wins in 1901-02, 1931-32, 1945-46; 13 wins in 1946-47, 1931-32; and 12 wins in 2017-18, 1996-97, 1930-31 and 1925-26.
SENIOR CLASS LOOKING TO DEFEAT HARVARD FOR FIRST TIME
The only Ivy League school that the 2018 Columbia Senior Class has not defeated is Harvard. A win Saturday in Cambridge would give the 19 seniors their first career win over the Crimson.
LIONS SUFFER INJURIES
More than 20 players and five returning All-Ivy League selections from the 2017 season have suffered injuries for Columbia this year.
Columbia has already lost seven players to injury this season: offensive lineman
Charlie Flores, starting wide receiver
Josh Wainwright, key running back
Alexander Filacouris, placekicker
Oren Milstein, starting running back
Dante Miller, starting middle linebacker
Justin Woodley and defensive end
LinDon Harris.
Others who have missed action and could miss more action include starting quarterback
Josh Bean, backup quarterback
Dillon Davis, third-string quarterback
Ty Lenhart, fourth-string quarterback
Ryan Suitt, running back
Lynnard Rose, cornerback Ben McKeighan, cornerback
Will Allen, offensive lineman
Markham Paukune, safety
Landon Baty, wide receiver
Christian Everett, offensive lineman
Joseph Scowden, tight end
Kyle Baskin, wide receiver
Ronald Smith and wide receiver
Darion Acohido, among others.
NEXT MAN UP FOR COLUMBIA
With all the injuries, Columbia has still found a way to win. It is a "Next Man Up" mentality for the Lions, who have played without its top three quarterbacks, its top two wide receivers, its top two running backs and without nine other players who had started games this year. Bagnoli has depth built on three straight top-25 recruiting classes.
RYAN GILBERT, RYAN YOUNG EARN IVY LEAGUE WEEKLY HONORS
Columbia senior safety
Ryan Gilbert and first-year running back
Ryan Young were named Defensive Player of the Week and Rookie of the Week respectively by the Ivy League Monday afternoon. At least one Columbia football player has earned Ivy League weekly awards in six of this year's seven weeks.
Gilbert intercepted a pass to clinch Columbia's 17-10 victory over Yale on Saturday. He also registered a game-high 12 tackles and has led the Lions in tackles in five of their seven games this season. For his career, he has registered nine double-digit tackle games and has led Columbia in tackles in 13 of their last 17 games. Gilbert was also named CollegeSportsMadness' Ivy League Defensive Player of the Week on Sunday. Currently, Gilbert ranks No. 17 nationally and leads the Ivy League in total tackles (69, 9.9 average per game) and also ranks No. 21 nationally in solo tackles (39). He also is tied for the team lead with two interceptions and has three pass breakups. He has led the Lions in tackles in each of the last two seasons.
Young scored the game-winning touchdown on a career-long 30-yard run in the fourth quarter to give Columbia a 17-10 win over Yale. He finished the game with career-highs for rushing yards (91) and carries (19) and averaged 4.8 yards per carry along with his first career rushing touchdown. On the season, Young has rushed for 170 yards on 41 carries (4.1 average) with one touchdown. He also has five receptions for 23 yards and a touchdown.
COLUMBIA, LIONS PLAYERS AMONG NATIONAL STATISTICAL LEADERS IN A VARIETY OF CATEGORIES
Columbia ranks among the nation's top-25 FCS teams in 10 different team statistical categories. According to the NCAA, Columbia is ranked:
- No. 1 in blocked punts allowed (0).
- No. 6 in fumbles lost (2).
- No. 6 in fourth down conversion percentage (73%).
- No. 7 in kickoff returns (25.93).
- No. 11 in fewest penalties yards (291).
- No. 12 in time of possession (32:40).
- No. 18 in fewest penalty yards per game (41.6).
- No. 18 in first downs defense (126).
- No. 19 in blocked punts (1).
- No. 19 in fewest penalties (38).
Individually, several Lions also rank among the top-25 national statistical leaders in six different categories:
COLUMBIA, LIONS PLAYERS LEAD THE IVY LEAGUE IN VARIOUS STATS
Columbia and its players rank among Ivy League leaders in a variety of statistics:
- As a team, Columbia leads the league in kickoff returns (25.9), field goal percentage (.923) and on-side kicks by (1-2).
- Will Allen leads in kickoff return average (27.0).
- Chris Alleyne leads in field goal percentage (923.3%), field goals (12) and PAT percentage (100%).
- Ryan Gilbert leads in tackles (69, 9.9 per game).
- Cameren Carter leads in fumble recoveries (2).
Other Lions are also ranked among league leaders in a variety of statistics including
Dante Miller (7th in rushing yardage),
Ty Lenhart (9th in passing average per game, 9th in pass efficiency, 115.3, 5th in scoring touchdowns),
Kyle Castner (6th in receptions per game, 10th in receiving yards per game, 40.6),
Drew Schmid (4th in punting, 38.7),
Ryan Gilbert (2nd in tackles, 8th in passes defended, 7th in interceptions),
Sean White (5th in tackles),
Daniel DeLorenzi (2nd in sacks, 9th in tackles for loss), Ben McKeighan (9th in passes defended),
Mike Hinton (3rd in forced fumbles, 20th in tackles for loss),
Sean White (8th in fumbles recovered).
POST-GAME NOTES FROM YALE
Columbia post-game notes from last week's Yale victory:
THE COLUMBIA WIN
- Improved Columbia to 4-3 on the season and 1-3 in Ivy League play.
- Gave Columbia its first Ivy League win of the season.
- Gave Columbia its 13th victory in its last 18 games.
- Gave Columbia its first victory over Yale in New York City since Oct. 27, 2012 and improved Columbia to 22-73-2 in the series.
- Snapped the Lions' two-game losing streak.
TEAM NOTES
- Columbia was outgained by Yale in total yardage (428-160), first downs (22-9), passing yards (238-51) and time of possession (33:48-26:12).
- Columbia registered season lows for first downs (9), total offensive yards (160), completions (four) and passing yards (51).
- The two teams combined for 20 punts. Columbia averaged 44.7 yards per punt and registered a phenomenal net yards per punt average of 44.7.
- Columbia won the turnover battle as it intercepted two passes (Ryan Gilbert, Landon Baty) and did not turn the ball over.
- At halftime, Columbia had completed just 1-7 passes for 1 yard.
- Columbia benefitted from good field position all day long. Columbia drives resulting in touchdowns began at the Yale 30-yard line and the Yale 45-yard line.
- Columbia blocked its first punt since Nov. 18, 2017.
PLAYER NOTES
- Senior quarterback Ryan Suitt made his first career start today. He threw his second career touchdown pass, a 16-yarder to Casey Mariucci in the third quarter. He completed three of 16 passes for 32 yards and a touchdown before exiting the game in the fourth quarter with an injury.
- Junior quarterback Matt Dame saw his first career action in relief of Suitt, who suffered an injury in the third quarter. He completed one of three passes for 19 yards.
- Senior Chris Alleyne converted a career-long 51-yard field goal in the first quarter. The 51-yard field goal ranks as the second longest in school history and tied for the longest in Lawrence A. Wien Stadium history. The longest field goal in school history is 52 yards kicked by Ralph Hewitt vs. Cornell on Nov. 1, 1930. It is the third 51-yard field goal in Lawrence A. Wien Stadium history. Fordham's Patrick Murray was the last player to kick a 51-yard field goal at Lawrence A. Wien Stadium on Sept. 22, 2012. The last time a Columbia player kicked a 50-yard field goal was Matt Pollard (50) vs. Lehigh, Oct. 29, 1988. With 12 field goals made in 2018, Alleyne now ranks third on the all-time season list behind Luke Eddy (2012) and Matt Linit (1996) with 13. Alleyne has converted six field goals of 50 yards or more this year.
- First-year Ryan Young rushed for a career-high 91 yards on a career-high 19 carries. He also rushed for a career-long 30-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, his first career touchdown run and second career touchdown (he caught a pass last week vs. Dartmouth). In today's game, he also registered runs of 15 and 14 yards. They were both career-long runs at the time.
- Sophomore Drew Schmid enjoyed the best day of his career as he averaged 44.7 yards per punt (11 punts for 492 yards) with seven punts placed inside the 20-yard line. With his 44.7 yards per punt average, Schmid set a school-record for yards per punt (minimum 10 punts) in a game. The previous record was 40.6 by Tony Misho (10-406) vs. Navy on Nov. 17, 1951. He kicked the longest punt of his career, a 65-yarder in the second quarter. The 65-yard punt ranks tied for the 16th longest punt in school history. His seven punts inside the 20-yard line set a school-record for most punts downed inside the 20-yard line. His 11 punts also rank as the seventh most punts in a game in school history.
- Senior safety Landon Baty made his return after missing the previous three contests. He picked off his first pass of the season in the third quarter and made his first tackle for loss of the season in the second quarter. Baty made a season-high five tackles.
- Sophomore Carson Powell blocked a punt in the third quarter. A key play in the game, the punt traveled just four yards and Columbia took over possession of the ball at Yale's 30-yard line. It marks Carson Powell's second career blocked kick as he blocked a field goal last year vs. Wagner. It is Columbia's first blocked kick since the Lions blocked three kicks vs. Brown on Nov. 18, 2017.
- Sophomore tight end Casey Mariucci registered career-highs for catches (four) and receiving yards (50). He caught his second career touchdown pass from Ryan Suitt, a 16-yard pass in the third quarter. Mariucci finished with 50 of Columbia's 51 receiving yards today.
- Once again, senior Ryan Gilbert led the Lions in tackles with 12. Gilbert has led the Lions in tackles in five of their seven games. He has registered nine career double-digit tackle games and has led Columbia in tackles in 13 of their last 17 games.
- First-year cornerback Fara'ad McCombs registered a career-high eight tackles in the game.
- Sophomore defensive end Cooper Wilson finished with a career-high six tackles.
- Junior defensive end Daniel DeLorenzi registered a career-high six tackles, along with 1.0 sack today.
ABOUT THE CRIMSON
Harvard enters its game against Columbia on a two-game losing streak following a 29-21 loss to No. 18 Princeton and 24-17 loss to No. 20 Dartmouth.
The Crimson are led by Aaron Shampklin, who has rushed for 824 yards and eight touchdowns on 122 carries (117.7 yards per game). D. Darrington has also rushed for 285 yards and two touchdowns on 45 carries.
Quarterbacks Tom Stewart and Jake Smith have both seen action. Stewart has completed 71 of 140 passes with six touchdowns for 882 yards and also rushed for 131 yards. Smith has completed 99 passes for 650 yards and two touchdowns.
Adam Scott leads Harvard in receptions with 30 for 379 yards and two touchdowns. Shelton-Mosley has caught 24 passes for 299 yards, Henry Taylor has 19 receptions for 242 yards and three touchdowns.
On defense, Jordan Hill leads the Crimson in tackles with 50 and three tackles for loss. Cole Thompson has 38 tackles and an interception and Richie Ryan has 31 tackles, 3.5 sacks and seven tackles for loss.
