Photo by: Mike McLaughlin
School-Record 13 Football Players Earn All-Ivy League Honors
11/23/2021 1:57:00 PM | Football
Mike Roussos becomes only the fourth player in school history to earn three First Team All-Ivy League honors; Roussos, Dante Miller, and Ben Mathiasmeier earn First Team accolades; Joe Green is the Ivy League’s Rookie of the Year.
PRINCETON, N.J.—Led by three First Team selections in senior running back Dante Miller, senior defensive back Ben Mathiasmeier, and senior return specialist/wide receiver Mike Roussos, along with sophomore quarterback Joe Green, who was named the Ivy League Rookie of the Year, a school-record 13 Columbia football players earned All-Ivy League football honors, the conference office announced on Tuesday afternoon.
For Columbia, earning Second Team honors are senior offensive lineman Tyler Worrell, senior defensive lineman Paul Akere, senior linebacker Cam Dillon, junior linebacker Scott Valentas, and junior placekicker Alex Felkins. Columbia's honorable mention picks include senior running back Ryan Young, senior defensive back Jordan Colbert, senior defensive back Will Allen, and senior punter Drew Schmid.
Columbia concluded its 2021 season with a 7-3 overall record and finished tied for fourth in the Ivy League with a 4-3 conference record. The seven overall wins rank as the third most at Columbia since the school joined the Ivy League in 1956 and rank as the ninth most overall season wins in school history. For the third time in the last four seasons, Columbia went an undefeated 3-0 in non-conference games. Columbia also registered a 4-1 home record with the .800 home winning percentage ranking as the 11th best total in school history. And, the Lions finished with a winning record for the third time in the last four seasons for the first time since 1945-48. The 24 wins during those four years also are the most in 73 years (1945-48).
The All-Ivy League Team and yearly football awards are picked and voted upon by the conference's eight head football coaches. The entire team is posted below.
Previously, Columbia had 12 All-Ivy League honorees in three different years: 1996, 1998, and 2017. Roussos becomes only the fourth player in school history to earn three First Team All-Ivy League honors. He joins quarterback Archie Roberts (1962, 1963, 1964), linebacker Rory Wilfork (1994, 1995, 1996), and offensive lineman Jeff Adams (2009, 2010, 2011) as the only three players to achieve that distinction. Green is the fifth all-time Ivy League Rookie of the Year honoree in school history, joining running back Solomon Johnson (1988), running back Johnathan Reese (1998), wide receiver Austin Knowlin (2006), and linebacker Alex Gross (2007).
Miller and Young become the first running back duo to earn All-Ivy League honors in the same year at Columbia since 1961 when Russ Warren and Tom Haggerty both were named to the All-Ivy League squad.
A Rockingham, N.C. native, Miller ranked No. 2 in the Ivy League in both rushing yards (814) and rushing yards per game (81.4), third in rushing yards per carry (5.61), and fourth in all-purpose yardage per game (92.20), along with four touchdowns on 145 carries. He also ranked No. 26 nationally in rushing yards per carry (5.61) and No. 30 in rushing yards per game (81.4) and caught nine passes for 43 yards, led the team in all-purpose yardage (920), ranked No. 2 on the squad in total yards, and also played extensively on special teams. An explosive runner with speed, Miller had six runs of 40 yards or more and 12 rushes for over 20 yards (8 percent of his carries). His long run of 75 yards and career-high in rushing yards (187) came vs. Penn. Over his three-year, 26-game career, Miller rushed for 1,281 yards and six touchdowns on 258 carries for a 5.0 yards per carry average. He also caught 20 passes for 73 yards and made three tackles on special teams. Miller is a Sociology major.
Mathiasmeier earned All-Ivy League honors for the second time in his career. A Katy, Texas native, Mathiasmeier led the Ivy League with four interceptions and ranked No. 16 nationally in interceptions per game (0.4), ranked 20th in the Ivy League and third on the squad with 50 tackles (34 solo), and finished with 2.5 tackles for loss and three pass breakups. A team captain, Mathiasmeier earned Ivy League Defensive Player of the Week honors on Sept. 26 after intercepting a career-best two passes vs. Georgetown. He also tied the school's career record for most games played in a career by seeing action in all 40 contests. Over his 40-game and 23-start career, Mathiasmeier made 147 tackles (92 solo), intercepted seven passes, broke up seven passes, recovered two fumbles, and made 6.0 tackles for loss. His seven career interceptions rank No. 22 in school history and his 14 career passes defended rank No. 23. In addition, Mathiasmeier earned Academic All-Ivy League honors for the third consecutive season (2019, 2020, and 2021). He becomes just the second football player in school history to earn three Academic All-Ivy League honors, joining Travis Chmelka (2001, 2002, and 2003). A two-time William V. Campbell Trophy semifinalist, Mathiasmeier recently earned CoSIDa Academic All-District honors as a defensive back. He is an Economics major.
A New Port Richey, Fla. native, Roussos is a three-time First Team All-Ivy League selection (2018, 2019, 2021) and 2019 STATS FCS Third Team All-America selection as a return specialist. This year, Roussos ranked No. 14 nationally and No. 3 in the Ivy League in punt return average (9.4), No. 6 in the Ivy League in all-purpose yards per game (81.25), No. 18 nationally in combined kick return yardage, and No. 1 in the Ivy League (547), and No. 15 nationally and No. 3 in the Ivy League in kickoff returns (26.4). In eight games, he finished with 652 all-purpose yards (397 on kickoff returns, 152 on punt returns, 104 receiving yards), three 100-yard all-purpose games, and caught 16 passes for 104 yards and two touchdowns. Over his three-year, 26-game career, Roussos has totaled 2,393 all-purpose yards (No. 10 on the all-time list), 92.0 all-purpose yards per game (No. 6 on the all-time list), 612 punt return yards (No. 3), 14.60 punt return average (No. 2), 1,265 kickoff return yards (No. 6), 24.80 kickoff return average (No. 2), 511 receiving yards on 54 receptions, and nine 100-yard all-purpose games. He has scored 10 career touchdowns (four rushing, three receiving, and three on returns) and has set or tied Columbia career records for most combined return touchdowns (3), most combined returns of over 50 yards (7), most plays of 50-yards or more (7), and most punt return touchdowns (2), and most kickoff return touchdowns (1). Roussos is a five-time Ivy League Special Teams Player of the Week honoree. Roussos is a Mechanical Engineering major.
Green is Columbia's first quarterback and the first player since 2007 (Alex Gross) to earn the Ivy League Rookie of the Year award. He becomes the first quarterback at Columbia to earn an Ivy League postseason award since John Witkowski '84 won the Bushnell Cup in 1982. Green ranked among the top-5 Ivy League leaders in every passing statistic while throwing for 1,590 yards and 10 touchdowns, 159.0 yards passing per game, and finished with a 55.8 completion percentage (148 of 265), and rushed for 22 yards on 38 carries and one touchdown in 10 games started. Green threw just three interceptions in 265 passes as he set the school-record for lowest percentage of passes had intercepted (0.011) in a season. After transferring to Columbia from San Diego State, Green earned three Ivy League Rookie of the Week awards, including in back-to-back weeks. Green is a native of Sammamish, Wash., and is enrolled at Columbia College.
A Katy, Texas native, Worrell anchored Columbia's offensive line as its starting center. In starting eight games, Worrell led an offensive line that yielded just 12 sacks for 65 yards, a mark that ranked No. 14 nationally and No. 2 in the Ivy League (1.10 sacks per game), throw only three interceptions, which led the nation in least interceptions thrown, helped the Lions rush for 158 yards per game and accumulate 320.5 total yards of offense per game. In his career, Worrell has played in 14 games. He is an Economics major.
Akere, a Carrollton, Texas native, ranked No. 9 in the Ivy League in sacks (5.0-39 yards), ranked No. 10 in the Ivy League in tackles for loss (9.0-51 yards), finished the year ranked No. 5 on the squad in tackles, impressive for a defensive lineman, with 42 (27 solo), and led the Lions with four quarterback hurries in 2021. He was recently named a CoSIDa Academic All-District selection for his performance on the field and in the classroom and his most productive performance came vs. Georgetown when he led the Lions with eight tackles (six solo), 2.5 tackles for loss, and a sack. In his three-year, 22-game career, Akere has registered 6.0 sacks for 41 yards, 10.0 tackles for loss for 53 yards, 49 total tackles (31 solo) with one forced fumble. He is a Political Science major.
A Findlay, Ohio native, Dillon had an impressive 2021 season as he ranked No. 3 in the Ivy League and No. 22 nationally in sacks (0.85), ranked No. 3 in the Ivy League, and No. 32 in tackles for loss per game (1.2), and totaled team-highs for tackles for loss (13.0), sacks (8.5) and forced fumbles (two). He also ranked No. 2 on the squad and No. 17 in the Ivy League in total tackles with 51 (30 solo). Dillon's 8.5 sacks on the year rank No. 4 among Columbia all-time season totals and his 68 yards from sacks set a new Columbia school-record. His most impressive performance came at Central Connecticut State where he earned National and Ivy League Player of the Week honors after he set the school's game record for sacks with 5.5, forced two fumbles, recorded Columbia's first safety in four years, and led the Lions with eight tackles. In his 23-game, 12-start career, Dillon made 81 tackles (43 solo), 15.5 tackles for loss for 83 yards, 9.5 sacks for 71 yards, along with one interception, and two forced fumbles. Dillon is a Mechanical Engineering major.
A Wichita, Kansas native, Valentas earns his second All-Ivy League honor (2019 and 2021). In 2021, Valentas led the Lions in tackles (56), ranked second on the squad in tackles for loss (nine), finished with 2.0 sacks and four pass breakups after seeing action in only eight games. In Ivy League statistics, Valentas ranked No. 5 in tackles per game (7.0) and No. 6 in tackles for loss per game (1.13). In only two years and 18 games played in his career, Valentas has made 116 total tackles (64 solo), 17.5 tackles for loss (60 yards), 2.0 sacks (14 yards), along with one interception, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. As a first-year in 2019, Valentas earned Third Team Freshman All-America honors by Phil Steele Magazine and was an honorable mention All-Ivy League selection. Valentas is an Economics major.
Felkins, a Tulsa, Okla. native, is also a two-time All-Ivy League honoree (2019 and 2021). He concluded a 2021 season that saw him rank No. 8 nationally and No. 1 in the Ivy League in field goals per game (1.60) and saw him set Columbia season school-records for most field goals (16), most field goal attempts (24), most points scored by a placekicker (73), and most touchbacks (38). He also ranked No. 4 in the Ivy League in total scoring (73 points), No. 2 in kick scoring (73). In his 20-game career, Felkins has scored 122 points, converted 25 of 38 field goals, converted 47 of 51 extra points, and totaled 62 touchbacks on kickoffs. He currently ranks No. 2 in school history for most field goals made (25), No. 3 in most points scored by a placekicker (122), No. 7 in most extra points (47), and he holds the school-record for most 50-yard field goals (2). He is one of only five kickers in Ivy League history to convert two or more 50-yard field goals in a career. Felkins is a Psychology major.
Colbert is a Washington, D.C. native who came on strong at the end of the season as he made 24 tackles in the last three contests at free safety for the Lions. A hard hitter and playmaker, Colbert ranked No. 4 on the Lions in total tackles with 49 (25 solo), registered two interceptions, broke up five passes, and recovered a fumble. He ranked No. 24 in the Ivy League in tackles. In his two-year, 20-game career, Colbert has totaled 68 tackles (39 solo) with 1.0 tackle for loss, two interceptions, and six pass breakups. Colbert is a Psychology major.
A two-year All-Ivy League selection (2017 and 2021), Allen led the Lions with 11 pass breakups, finished with two interceptions with 47 return yards and 22 tackles (14 solo) as a cornerback in 2021. He also ranked No. 4 in the nation and No. 1 in the Ivy League in kickoff return touchdowns (1), No. 18 nationally and No. 2 in Ivy League in passes defended (1.2 per game) and No. 8 in the Ivy League in interceptions (two). His 11 pass breakups rank tied for the fifth-most total in Columbia season history. He scored a touchdown on a 92-yard kickoff return vs. Georgetown and intercepted a career-best two passes in the season finale at Cornell. In his four-year, 38-game career, Allen has made 61 tackles (40 solo), 4.0 tackles for loss for eight yards, intercepted three passes, and finished with 20 pass deflections (three INT/17 pass breakups). He also has 1,026 kickoff return yards, 46 interception return yards, Among Columbia career records, Allen holds school-records for most yards per kickoff return (26.11), most kickoff return touchdowns (1), most career plays of 80-plus yards (2), and ranks second in most blocked kicks (5) and ranks seventh all-time in Columbia records with 17 career pass breakups. A Pembroke Pines, Fla. native, Allen is an Economics major.
A Wheaton, Ill. native, Young rushed for 498 yards and three touchdowns on 128 carries, ranked No. 2 on the squad with 18 catches for 194 yards and a touchdown, and ranked No. 2 on the team in scoring with four touchdowns and 24 points. In his three-year, 29-game career, Young has rushed for 1,323 yards and seven touchdowns on 332 carries (4.0 yards per carry), and caught 42 passes for 312 yards and three touchdowns. Among school career record-holders, Young ranks No. 9 on the all-time rushing list with 1,323 yards list, No. 13 on the all-time rushing attempts list (332), and No. 7 on the most receptions for a running back list (42). Young is a Political Science major.
A San Diego, Calif. native, Schmid earns All-Ivy League honors for the second time in his career (2018and 2021). This year, Schmid ranked No. 4 in the Ivy League in punting (39.8), and No. 3 in the Ivy League in most punts downed inside the 20-yard line (17). In career statistics, Schmid ranks No. 2 all-time at Columbia in most punts downed inside the 20-yard line (50), No. 5 in most punt yards (6,289), No. 5 in most punts (164), and No. 8 in punting average (38.30). Schmid majors in Political Science.
Below are the All-Ivy League selections and award-winners:
2021 ALL-IVY LEAGUE FOOTBALL SELECTIONS
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Joe Green, Columbia (So., QB)
COACH OF THE YEAR
Buddy Teevens, Dartmouth
FIRST TEAM ALL-IVY^
OFFENSE
Hunter Nourzad, Cornell (Sr., OL)
Evan Hecimovich, Dartmouth (5th, OL)
Jake Guidone, Dartmouth (5th, OL)
Spencer Rolland, Harvard (Sr., OL)
Henry Byrd, Princeton (Sr., OL)
Reily Radosevich, Princeton (Sr., OL)
EJ Perry, Brown (Sr., QB)
Dante Miller, Columbia (Sr., RB)
Nick Howard, Dartmouth (Jr., QB)
* Aaron Shampklin, Harvard (Jr., RB)
Collin Eaddy, Princeton (Sr., RB)
Thomas Glover, Cornell (Sr., WR)
* Jacob Birmelin, Princeton (Sr., WR)
Carson Bobo, Princeton (Sr., TE)
JJ Howland, Yale (Sr., TE)
DEFENSE
Chris Smith, Harvard (Jr., DL)
Jacob Sykes, Harvard (Jr., DL)
Prince Emili, Penn (Gr., DL)
Samuel Wright II, Princeton (Sr., DL)
Clay Patterson, Yale (So., DL)
Jake Stebbins, Cornell (Jr., LB)
Jalen Mackie, Dartmouth (Sr., LB)
Jordan Hill, Harvard (Sr., LB)
Jack McGowan, Harvard (Sr., LB)
Brian O'Neill, Penn (Gr., LB)
* Jeremiah Tyler, Princeton (Sr., LB)
James Johnson, Princeton (Sr., LB)
John Dean, Yale (Sr., LB)
Ben Mathiasmeier, Columbia (Sr., DB)
Isaiah Johnson, Dartmouth (Sr., CB)
Alex Washington, Harvard (So., CB)
Trevor Forbes, Princeton (Sr., DB)
Rodney Thomas II, Yale (Sr., DB)
SPECIAL TEAMS
Jonah Lipel, Harvard (Jr., K)
Will Powers, Princeton (Jr., P)
Mike Roussos, Columbia (Sr., RS)
SECOND TEAM ALL-IVY^
OFFENSE
Chad Broome-Webster, Brown (Sr., OL)
Tyler Worrell, Columbia (Sr., OL)
Jack Burns, Cornell (Sr., OL)
John Paul Flores, Dartmouth (Sr., OL)
Trevor Radosevich, Penn (Sr., OL)
David Hoffman, Princeton (Sr., OL)
Derek Kyler, Dartmouth (5th, QB)
Aidan Borguet, Harvard (So., RB)
Isaiah Malcome, Penn (Gr., RB)
Wes Rockett, Brown (Jr., WR)
Andre Iosivas, Princeton (Jr., WR)
Melvin Rouse II, Yale (Sr., WR)
Mason Tipton, Yale (So., WR)
JJ Jones III, Dartmouth (5th, TE)
DEFENSE
Paul Akere, Columbia (Sr., DL)
Shane Cokes, Dartmouth (Jr., DL)
Seth Walter, Dartmouth (5th, DE)
Nate Leskovec, Harvard (So., DL)
Uche Ndukwe, Princeton (Jr., DL)
Cam Dillon, Columbia (Sr., LB)
Junior Gafa, Brown (Jr., LB)
Scott Valentas, Columbia (Jr., LB)
Lance Blass, Cornell (5th, LB)
Marques White, Dartmouth (Jr., LB)
Michael Irons, Cornell (Sr., CB)
Niko Mermigas, Dartmouth (5th, S)
James Herring, Harvard (Jr., S)
Jason McCleod, Jr., Penn (Sr., DB)
Wande Owens , Yale (Jr., DB)
SPECIAL TEAMS
Alex Felkins, Columbia (Jr., K)
Jack Bosman, Yale (So., P)
Melvin Rouse II, Yale (Sr., RS)
HONORABLE MENTION
OFFENSE
Calvin Atkeson, Dartmouth (Sr. OL)
Hunt Sparks, Harvard (Sr., OL)
Kiran Amegadjie, Yale (So., OL)
Cameron Warfield, Yale (Sr., OL)
Cole Smith, Princeton (Sr., QB)
Allen Smith, Brown (Sr., RB)
Ryan Young, Columbia (Sr., RB)
Spencer Alston, Yale (Jr., RB)
Graham Walker, Brown (So., WR)
Paxton Scott, Dartmouth (So., WR)
Dylan Classi, Princeton (Sr., WR)
Robbie Mangas, Dartmouth (Sr., TE)
DEFENSE
Jake Heimlicher, Penn (Sr., DL)
Micah Morris, Penn (Sr., DL)
Reid Nickerson, Yale (Jr., DL)
Jordan Colbert, Columbia (Sr., DB)
Will Allen, Columbia (Sr., DB)
Logan Thut, Cornell (5th, S)
Delan Stallworth, Princeton (Sr., DB)
Miles Oldacre, Yale (Jr., DB)
SPECIAL TEAMS
Connor Davis, Dartmouth (Sr., K)
Drew Schmid, Columbia (Sr., P)
Jamal Cooney, Dartmouth (Jr., RS)
^ First and Second Teams Expanded Due to Ties in Voting
* Unanimous Decision
For Columbia, earning Second Team honors are senior offensive lineman Tyler Worrell, senior defensive lineman Paul Akere, senior linebacker Cam Dillon, junior linebacker Scott Valentas, and junior placekicker Alex Felkins. Columbia's honorable mention picks include senior running back Ryan Young, senior defensive back Jordan Colbert, senior defensive back Will Allen, and senior punter Drew Schmid.
Columbia concluded its 2021 season with a 7-3 overall record and finished tied for fourth in the Ivy League with a 4-3 conference record. The seven overall wins rank as the third most at Columbia since the school joined the Ivy League in 1956 and rank as the ninth most overall season wins in school history. For the third time in the last four seasons, Columbia went an undefeated 3-0 in non-conference games. Columbia also registered a 4-1 home record with the .800 home winning percentage ranking as the 11th best total in school history. And, the Lions finished with a winning record for the third time in the last four seasons for the first time since 1945-48. The 24 wins during those four years also are the most in 73 years (1945-48).
The All-Ivy League Team and yearly football awards are picked and voted upon by the conference's eight head football coaches. The entire team is posted below.
Previously, Columbia had 12 All-Ivy League honorees in three different years: 1996, 1998, and 2017. Roussos becomes only the fourth player in school history to earn three First Team All-Ivy League honors. He joins quarterback Archie Roberts (1962, 1963, 1964), linebacker Rory Wilfork (1994, 1995, 1996), and offensive lineman Jeff Adams (2009, 2010, 2011) as the only three players to achieve that distinction. Green is the fifth all-time Ivy League Rookie of the Year honoree in school history, joining running back Solomon Johnson (1988), running back Johnathan Reese (1998), wide receiver Austin Knowlin (2006), and linebacker Alex Gross (2007).
Miller and Young become the first running back duo to earn All-Ivy League honors in the same year at Columbia since 1961 when Russ Warren and Tom Haggerty both were named to the All-Ivy League squad.
Congratulations to all our Lions named to All-Ivy Teams!#CUinNYC | #OnlyHere pic.twitter.com/azQTNas2KV
— Columbia Football (@CULionsFB) November 23, 2021
A Rockingham, N.C. native, Miller ranked No. 2 in the Ivy League in both rushing yards (814) and rushing yards per game (81.4), third in rushing yards per carry (5.61), and fourth in all-purpose yardage per game (92.20), along with four touchdowns on 145 carries. He also ranked No. 26 nationally in rushing yards per carry (5.61) and No. 30 in rushing yards per game (81.4) and caught nine passes for 43 yards, led the team in all-purpose yardage (920), ranked No. 2 on the squad in total yards, and also played extensively on special teams. An explosive runner with speed, Miller had six runs of 40 yards or more and 12 rushes for over 20 yards (8 percent of his carries). His long run of 75 yards and career-high in rushing yards (187) came vs. Penn. Over his three-year, 26-game career, Miller rushed for 1,281 yards and six touchdowns on 258 carries for a 5.0 yards per carry average. He also caught 20 passes for 73 yards and made three tackles on special teams. Miller is a Sociology major.
Mathiasmeier earned All-Ivy League honors for the second time in his career. A Katy, Texas native, Mathiasmeier led the Ivy League with four interceptions and ranked No. 16 nationally in interceptions per game (0.4), ranked 20th in the Ivy League and third on the squad with 50 tackles (34 solo), and finished with 2.5 tackles for loss and three pass breakups. A team captain, Mathiasmeier earned Ivy League Defensive Player of the Week honors on Sept. 26 after intercepting a career-best two passes vs. Georgetown. He also tied the school's career record for most games played in a career by seeing action in all 40 contests. Over his 40-game and 23-start career, Mathiasmeier made 147 tackles (92 solo), intercepted seven passes, broke up seven passes, recovered two fumbles, and made 6.0 tackles for loss. His seven career interceptions rank No. 22 in school history and his 14 career passes defended rank No. 23. In addition, Mathiasmeier earned Academic All-Ivy League honors for the third consecutive season (2019, 2020, and 2021). He becomes just the second football player in school history to earn three Academic All-Ivy League honors, joining Travis Chmelka (2001, 2002, and 2003). A two-time William V. Campbell Trophy semifinalist, Mathiasmeier recently earned CoSIDa Academic All-District honors as a defensive back. He is an Economics major.
A New Port Richey, Fla. native, Roussos is a three-time First Team All-Ivy League selection (2018, 2019, 2021) and 2019 STATS FCS Third Team All-America selection as a return specialist. This year, Roussos ranked No. 14 nationally and No. 3 in the Ivy League in punt return average (9.4), No. 6 in the Ivy League in all-purpose yards per game (81.25), No. 18 nationally in combined kick return yardage, and No. 1 in the Ivy League (547), and No. 15 nationally and No. 3 in the Ivy League in kickoff returns (26.4). In eight games, he finished with 652 all-purpose yards (397 on kickoff returns, 152 on punt returns, 104 receiving yards), three 100-yard all-purpose games, and caught 16 passes for 104 yards and two touchdowns. Over his three-year, 26-game career, Roussos has totaled 2,393 all-purpose yards (No. 10 on the all-time list), 92.0 all-purpose yards per game (No. 6 on the all-time list), 612 punt return yards (No. 3), 14.60 punt return average (No. 2), 1,265 kickoff return yards (No. 6), 24.80 kickoff return average (No. 2), 511 receiving yards on 54 receptions, and nine 100-yard all-purpose games. He has scored 10 career touchdowns (four rushing, three receiving, and three on returns) and has set or tied Columbia career records for most combined return touchdowns (3), most combined returns of over 50 yards (7), most plays of 50-yards or more (7), and most punt return touchdowns (2), and most kickoff return touchdowns (1). Roussos is a five-time Ivy League Special Teams Player of the Week honoree. Roussos is a Mechanical Engineering major.
Green is Columbia's first quarterback and the first player since 2007 (Alex Gross) to earn the Ivy League Rookie of the Year award. He becomes the first quarterback at Columbia to earn an Ivy League postseason award since John Witkowski '84 won the Bushnell Cup in 1982. Green ranked among the top-5 Ivy League leaders in every passing statistic while throwing for 1,590 yards and 10 touchdowns, 159.0 yards passing per game, and finished with a 55.8 completion percentage (148 of 265), and rushed for 22 yards on 38 carries and one touchdown in 10 games started. Green threw just three interceptions in 265 passes as he set the school-record for lowest percentage of passes had intercepted (0.011) in a season. After transferring to Columbia from San Diego State, Green earned three Ivy League Rookie of the Week awards, including in back-to-back weeks. Green is a native of Sammamish, Wash., and is enrolled at Columbia College.
Congratulations to @Joe_Green11 on being named Ivy-League Rookie of the Year!#CUinNYC | #OnlyHere pic.twitter.com/VjiOaXj2VW
— Columbia Football (@CULionsFB) November 23, 2021
A Katy, Texas native, Worrell anchored Columbia's offensive line as its starting center. In starting eight games, Worrell led an offensive line that yielded just 12 sacks for 65 yards, a mark that ranked No. 14 nationally and No. 2 in the Ivy League (1.10 sacks per game), throw only three interceptions, which led the nation in least interceptions thrown, helped the Lions rush for 158 yards per game and accumulate 320.5 total yards of offense per game. In his career, Worrell has played in 14 games. He is an Economics major.
Akere, a Carrollton, Texas native, ranked No. 9 in the Ivy League in sacks (5.0-39 yards), ranked No. 10 in the Ivy League in tackles for loss (9.0-51 yards), finished the year ranked No. 5 on the squad in tackles, impressive for a defensive lineman, with 42 (27 solo), and led the Lions with four quarterback hurries in 2021. He was recently named a CoSIDa Academic All-District selection for his performance on the field and in the classroom and his most productive performance came vs. Georgetown when he led the Lions with eight tackles (six solo), 2.5 tackles for loss, and a sack. In his three-year, 22-game career, Akere has registered 6.0 sacks for 41 yards, 10.0 tackles for loss for 53 yards, 49 total tackles (31 solo) with one forced fumble. He is a Political Science major.
A Findlay, Ohio native, Dillon had an impressive 2021 season as he ranked No. 3 in the Ivy League and No. 22 nationally in sacks (0.85), ranked No. 3 in the Ivy League, and No. 32 in tackles for loss per game (1.2), and totaled team-highs for tackles for loss (13.0), sacks (8.5) and forced fumbles (two). He also ranked No. 2 on the squad and No. 17 in the Ivy League in total tackles with 51 (30 solo). Dillon's 8.5 sacks on the year rank No. 4 among Columbia all-time season totals and his 68 yards from sacks set a new Columbia school-record. His most impressive performance came at Central Connecticut State where he earned National and Ivy League Player of the Week honors after he set the school's game record for sacks with 5.5, forced two fumbles, recorded Columbia's first safety in four years, and led the Lions with eight tackles. In his 23-game, 12-start career, Dillon made 81 tackles (43 solo), 15.5 tackles for loss for 83 yards, 9.5 sacks for 71 yards, along with one interception, and two forced fumbles. Dillon is a Mechanical Engineering major.
A Wichita, Kansas native, Valentas earns his second All-Ivy League honor (2019 and 2021). In 2021, Valentas led the Lions in tackles (56), ranked second on the squad in tackles for loss (nine), finished with 2.0 sacks and four pass breakups after seeing action in only eight games. In Ivy League statistics, Valentas ranked No. 5 in tackles per game (7.0) and No. 6 in tackles for loss per game (1.13). In only two years and 18 games played in his career, Valentas has made 116 total tackles (64 solo), 17.5 tackles for loss (60 yards), 2.0 sacks (14 yards), along with one interception, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. As a first-year in 2019, Valentas earned Third Team Freshman All-America honors by Phil Steele Magazine and was an honorable mention All-Ivy League selection. Valentas is an Economics major.
Felkins, a Tulsa, Okla. native, is also a two-time All-Ivy League honoree (2019 and 2021). He concluded a 2021 season that saw him rank No. 8 nationally and No. 1 in the Ivy League in field goals per game (1.60) and saw him set Columbia season school-records for most field goals (16), most field goal attempts (24), most points scored by a placekicker (73), and most touchbacks (38). He also ranked No. 4 in the Ivy League in total scoring (73 points), No. 2 in kick scoring (73). In his 20-game career, Felkins has scored 122 points, converted 25 of 38 field goals, converted 47 of 51 extra points, and totaled 62 touchbacks on kickoffs. He currently ranks No. 2 in school history for most field goals made (25), No. 3 in most points scored by a placekicker (122), No. 7 in most extra points (47), and he holds the school-record for most 50-yard field goals (2). He is one of only five kickers in Ivy League history to convert two or more 50-yard field goals in a career. Felkins is a Psychology major.
Colbert is a Washington, D.C. native who came on strong at the end of the season as he made 24 tackles in the last three contests at free safety for the Lions. A hard hitter and playmaker, Colbert ranked No. 4 on the Lions in total tackles with 49 (25 solo), registered two interceptions, broke up five passes, and recovered a fumble. He ranked No. 24 in the Ivy League in tackles. In his two-year, 20-game career, Colbert has totaled 68 tackles (39 solo) with 1.0 tackle for loss, two interceptions, and six pass breakups. Colbert is a Psychology major.
A two-year All-Ivy League selection (2017 and 2021), Allen led the Lions with 11 pass breakups, finished with two interceptions with 47 return yards and 22 tackles (14 solo) as a cornerback in 2021. He also ranked No. 4 in the nation and No. 1 in the Ivy League in kickoff return touchdowns (1), No. 18 nationally and No. 2 in Ivy League in passes defended (1.2 per game) and No. 8 in the Ivy League in interceptions (two). His 11 pass breakups rank tied for the fifth-most total in Columbia season history. He scored a touchdown on a 92-yard kickoff return vs. Georgetown and intercepted a career-best two passes in the season finale at Cornell. In his four-year, 38-game career, Allen has made 61 tackles (40 solo), 4.0 tackles for loss for eight yards, intercepted three passes, and finished with 20 pass deflections (three INT/17 pass breakups). He also has 1,026 kickoff return yards, 46 interception return yards, Among Columbia career records, Allen holds school-records for most yards per kickoff return (26.11), most kickoff return touchdowns (1), most career plays of 80-plus yards (2), and ranks second in most blocked kicks (5) and ranks seventh all-time in Columbia records with 17 career pass breakups. A Pembroke Pines, Fla. native, Allen is an Economics major.
A Wheaton, Ill. native, Young rushed for 498 yards and three touchdowns on 128 carries, ranked No. 2 on the squad with 18 catches for 194 yards and a touchdown, and ranked No. 2 on the team in scoring with four touchdowns and 24 points. In his three-year, 29-game career, Young has rushed for 1,323 yards and seven touchdowns on 332 carries (4.0 yards per carry), and caught 42 passes for 312 yards and three touchdowns. Among school career record-holders, Young ranks No. 9 on the all-time rushing list with 1,323 yards list, No. 13 on the all-time rushing attempts list (332), and No. 7 on the most receptions for a running back list (42). Young is a Political Science major.
A San Diego, Calif. native, Schmid earns All-Ivy League honors for the second time in his career (2018and 2021). This year, Schmid ranked No. 4 in the Ivy League in punting (39.8), and No. 3 in the Ivy League in most punts downed inside the 20-yard line (17). In career statistics, Schmid ranks No. 2 all-time at Columbia in most punts downed inside the 20-yard line (50), No. 5 in most punt yards (6,289), No. 5 in most punts (164), and No. 8 in punting average (38.30). Schmid majors in Political Science.
Below are the All-Ivy League selections and award-winners:
2021 ALL-IVY LEAGUE FOOTBALL SELECTIONS
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Joe Green, Columbia (So., QB)
COACH OF THE YEAR
Buddy Teevens, Dartmouth
FIRST TEAM ALL-IVY^
OFFENSE
Hunter Nourzad, Cornell (Sr., OL)
Evan Hecimovich, Dartmouth (5th, OL)
Jake Guidone, Dartmouth (5th, OL)
Spencer Rolland, Harvard (Sr., OL)
Henry Byrd, Princeton (Sr., OL)
Reily Radosevich, Princeton (Sr., OL)
EJ Perry, Brown (Sr., QB)
Dante Miller, Columbia (Sr., RB)
Nick Howard, Dartmouth (Jr., QB)
* Aaron Shampklin, Harvard (Jr., RB)
Collin Eaddy, Princeton (Sr., RB)
Thomas Glover, Cornell (Sr., WR)
* Jacob Birmelin, Princeton (Sr., WR)
Carson Bobo, Princeton (Sr., TE)
JJ Howland, Yale (Sr., TE)
DEFENSE
Chris Smith, Harvard (Jr., DL)
Jacob Sykes, Harvard (Jr., DL)
Prince Emili, Penn (Gr., DL)
Samuel Wright II, Princeton (Sr., DL)
Clay Patterson, Yale (So., DL)
Jake Stebbins, Cornell (Jr., LB)
Jalen Mackie, Dartmouth (Sr., LB)
Jordan Hill, Harvard (Sr., LB)
Jack McGowan, Harvard (Sr., LB)
Brian O'Neill, Penn (Gr., LB)
* Jeremiah Tyler, Princeton (Sr., LB)
James Johnson, Princeton (Sr., LB)
John Dean, Yale (Sr., LB)
Ben Mathiasmeier, Columbia (Sr., DB)
Isaiah Johnson, Dartmouth (Sr., CB)
Alex Washington, Harvard (So., CB)
Trevor Forbes, Princeton (Sr., DB)
Rodney Thomas II, Yale (Sr., DB)
SPECIAL TEAMS
Jonah Lipel, Harvard (Jr., K)
Will Powers, Princeton (Jr., P)
Mike Roussos, Columbia (Sr., RS)
SECOND TEAM ALL-IVY^
OFFENSE
Chad Broome-Webster, Brown (Sr., OL)
Tyler Worrell, Columbia (Sr., OL)
Jack Burns, Cornell (Sr., OL)
John Paul Flores, Dartmouth (Sr., OL)
Trevor Radosevich, Penn (Sr., OL)
David Hoffman, Princeton (Sr., OL)
Derek Kyler, Dartmouth (5th, QB)
Aidan Borguet, Harvard (So., RB)
Isaiah Malcome, Penn (Gr., RB)
Wes Rockett, Brown (Jr., WR)
Andre Iosivas, Princeton (Jr., WR)
Melvin Rouse II, Yale (Sr., WR)
Mason Tipton, Yale (So., WR)
JJ Jones III, Dartmouth (5th, TE)
DEFENSE
Paul Akere, Columbia (Sr., DL)
Shane Cokes, Dartmouth (Jr., DL)
Seth Walter, Dartmouth (5th, DE)
Nate Leskovec, Harvard (So., DL)
Uche Ndukwe, Princeton (Jr., DL)
Cam Dillon, Columbia (Sr., LB)
Junior Gafa, Brown (Jr., LB)
Scott Valentas, Columbia (Jr., LB)
Lance Blass, Cornell (5th, LB)
Marques White, Dartmouth (Jr., LB)
Michael Irons, Cornell (Sr., CB)
Niko Mermigas, Dartmouth (5th, S)
James Herring, Harvard (Jr., S)
Jason McCleod, Jr., Penn (Sr., DB)
Wande Owens , Yale (Jr., DB)
SPECIAL TEAMS
Alex Felkins, Columbia (Jr., K)
Jack Bosman, Yale (So., P)
Melvin Rouse II, Yale (Sr., RS)
HONORABLE MENTION
OFFENSE
Calvin Atkeson, Dartmouth (Sr. OL)
Hunt Sparks, Harvard (Sr., OL)
Kiran Amegadjie, Yale (So., OL)
Cameron Warfield, Yale (Sr., OL)
Cole Smith, Princeton (Sr., QB)
Allen Smith, Brown (Sr., RB)
Ryan Young, Columbia (Sr., RB)
Spencer Alston, Yale (Jr., RB)
Graham Walker, Brown (So., WR)
Paxton Scott, Dartmouth (So., WR)
Dylan Classi, Princeton (Sr., WR)
Robbie Mangas, Dartmouth (Sr., TE)
DEFENSE
Jake Heimlicher, Penn (Sr., DL)
Micah Morris, Penn (Sr., DL)
Reid Nickerson, Yale (Jr., DL)
Jordan Colbert, Columbia (Sr., DB)
Will Allen, Columbia (Sr., DB)
Logan Thut, Cornell (5th, S)
Delan Stallworth, Princeton (Sr., DB)
Miles Oldacre, Yale (Jr., DB)
SPECIAL TEAMS
Connor Davis, Dartmouth (Sr., K)
Drew Schmid, Columbia (Sr., P)
Jamal Cooney, Dartmouth (Jr., RS)
^ First and Second Teams Expanded Due to Ties in Voting
* Unanimous Decision
Players Mentioned
DL
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DB
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DB
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LB
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PK
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QB
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OL
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/ FootballHighlights: FB | Columbia 29, Cornell 12
Saturday, November 22
Preview: FB | Coach Poppe - Week 10 | Presented by Amity Hall Uptown
Friday, November 21
Podcast: FB | Captains' Corner (S7, E10)
Thursday, November 20
Postgame: FB | Coach Poppe after Brown
Saturday, November 15
