Late Score Lifts Princeton to 10-7 Win Over Football

Friday, September 29

Princeton, N.J./Princeton Stadium

7:00 P.M.

Columbia University

1-2 , 0-1

Princeton

2-1 , 1-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Columbia

Princeton

Photo by: Columbia University Athletics / Stockton Photo, Inc.

Late Score Lifts Princeton to 10-7 Win Over Football

9/29/2023 11:23:00 PM | Football

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The Lions dropped its Ivy League opener despite a strong defensive performance

PRINCETON, N.J. — Princeton's John Volker scored a touchdown from a yard out with 2:07 left in the fourth quarter to lift the Tigers to a 10-7 victory over the Columbia football team Friday night in both teams' Ivy League opener. Sophomore Justin Townsend's two-yard interception return for a touchdown in the third quarter was the lone score for the Lions (1-2, 0-1).

Townsend also had a sack to help another strong defensive effort. Anthony Roussos paced the squad with 10 tackles and Aaron Brebnor added nine. The Lions held Princeton to just 80 rushing yards, which is half of what it was averaging heading into the contest.

"I told the team at halftime that we need just one turnover and they came out and did it," interim head coach Mark Fabish said. "Kudos to them. It's something we can build off of. The hard part is it comes after a loss, but (the defense) was a huge positive tonight."

Both teams battled through a series of miscues after playing through rainy conditions for the second consecutive week. Columbia was just 4-of-16 on third down, did not capitalize on a pair of trips inside the 10 and lost two fumbles, including one on the final drive. Princeton (2-1, 1-0) racked up seven penalties, missed a field goal had a punt blocked and lost a fumble.

The Lions and Tigers only had one drive apiece in a fast-paced first quarter. Columbia's defense held Princeton to a field goal after a 15-play possession that ate up over half of the frame. The score stayed that way all the way through the first half after Princeton missed a 38-yard field goal to keep it 3-0 with 10:49 left in the first half.

In the second half, a William Hughes punt pinned the Tigers on its own 2 and on the first play of the drive, Townsend read the play, snatched the ball and walked in for the touchdown to put Columbia in front, 7-3.

After being held in check for the bulk of the game, Princeton marched 80 yards in 10:07 to take the lead for good. The Tigers converted on two third downs and three fourth downs, including the game-winning score on 4th and goal.

Bryson Canty made a pair of fourth-down conversions of his own to put the Lions on the cusp of Hugo Merrry's field goal range. However, Bell was under pressure on third-and-five and lost the ball to give Princeton the ball back and run out the clock.

"I'm really proud of how we fought until the end," Fabish said. "(Quarterback Caden Bell) and Bryson made it a discussion, but unfortunately, we didn't get that one last play. But we'll learn from it. I'm confident we'll have a good week of practice and be ready next week to take on Marist."

Offensively, Joey Giorgi paced Columbia with 61 rushing yards on 16 attempts.

The Lions return to Robert K. Kraft Field at Wien Stadium on Saturday, October 7, when they host Marist to wrap up non-conference play. Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. on ESPN+.
Tickets are available by calling 888-LIONS-11 or contacting lionstickets@columbia.edu.

For the latest on the Columbia football team, follow @CULionsFB on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.

POSTGAME NOTES
- Columbia's defense held opponents to 10 or fewer points in back-to-back games for the second consecutive season after holding Marist and Georgetown to nine points in September 2022.
- The Lions failed to score an offensive touchdown for the second consecutive year against Princeton after the lone touchdown last season was an Aaron Brebnor fumble recovery for six.