NEW YORK—Looking to build upon back-to-back winning seasons, Columbia Football announced the dates and opponents for its 10-game 2019 football schedule on Wednesday morning. Columbia's finalized schedule, television appearances, kickoff times and preseason training camp schedule will be released at a later date. Dates could be moved to accommodate live television coverage.
 
Year five of the Al Bagnoli Era of Columbia Football will feature five home games at Robert K. Kraft Field at Lawrence A. Wien Stadium (corner of 218^th Street and Broadway Avenue in New York City). Columbia will host Georgetown for its home opener, fifth annual Lou Little Cup and Youth Football Day on Saturday, Sept. 28. Northern Manhattan Neighbors Appreciation Day and the final non-conference contest is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 12 against Central Connecticut State. Homecoming Weekend 2019 is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 19 against Ivy League rival Penn. Columbia then hosts Harvard for Heroes Day on Saturday, Nov. 9 and concludes its home slate by hosting Brown for Columbia Football Players Club Senior Day on Saturday, Nov. 16.
 
The Lions will also play five road games. Columbia opens its 2019 season at Saint Francis, Pa. in Loretto, Pa. on Saturday, Sept. 21. Columbia will play its Ivy League opener at Princeton on Saturday, Oct. 5. Columbia will also play at Dartmouth (Saturday, Oct. 26), at Yale (Saturday, Nov. 2) and concludes its season with the Empire State Bowl at Cornell on Saturday, Nov. 23.
 
2019 Columbia Football season tickets and True Blue Packages are now on sale. Season tickets start at just $75 and include great benefits! To purchase season tickets, click here or call 888-LIONS-11. To purchase True Blue packages, click here. Lock in your tickets now for the best seats at the best value.
 
Columbia completed its 2018 season with a 6-4 overall and 3-4 Ivy League record despite overcoming injuries to over 25 key players. The Lions registered back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 1961 and 1962. Columbia has amassed 14 victories over the last two seasons, its highest win total in consecutive years since the institution joined the Ivy League in 1956. In addition, its six overall victories rank among the top-five season win totals at Columbia since 1956.
 
Columbia returns 16 starters (seven on offense and nine on defense) and a host of additional players who saw extensive action during the 2018 season. As a whole, the Lions return 61 total letterwinners.
 
Players returning who started a majority of games last year include sophomore defensive back Will Allen, sophomore quarterback Josh Bean, junior offensive lineman Parker Coogan, junior defensive lineman Daniel DeLorenzi, junior defensive lineman LinDon Harris, sophomore wide receiver Emerson Kabus, sophomore offensive lineman Josh Kaminski, junior offensive lineman Isaac Werkman, first-year quarterback Ty Lenhart, first-year defensive back Fara'ad McCombs, junior defensive back Benjamin McKeighan, junior linebacker Michael Murphy, junior running back Lynnard Rose, junior defensive lineman Arman Samouk, junior tight end Rory Schlageter, junior wide receiver Ronald Smith, junior offensive lineman Joseph Scowden, sophomore defensive lineman Cooper Wilson, sophomore linebacker Justin Woodley and first-year running back Ryan Young. Other players returning from season-ending injuries include junior wide receiver Josh Wainwright, junior placekicker Oren Milstein, first-year running back Dante Miller, sophomore linebacker Justin Woodley and sophomore running back Alexander Filacouris.
 
Nine Lions return who have earned All-Ivy League honors over the past three seasons including Josh Wainwright, Oren Milstein, Parker Coogan, Will Allen, Daniel DeLorenzi, Michael Murphy, Ronald Smith, sophomore punter Drew Schmid and first-year kickoff/punt return specialist Mike Roussos.
 
Columbia's annual spring football game is scheduled for Saturday, April 20 at Robert K. Kraft Field (located at the corner of 218^th & Broadway Avenue). Kickoff is at Noon. The program's spring cookout will be held directly following the scrimmage. Admission to the spring game is free. Columbia Football has also scheduled a Bone Marrow Drive, slated to be held on the Morningside Heights campus on Friday, April 26. More details will be released at a later date. Columbia began the first of 12 spring practices on March 26.
 
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