Columbia
Wagner
(RV) Football Set for Cross-Borough Clash at Wagner
10/10/2024 2:00:00 PM | Football
The Lions close out non-conference play Saturday against the Seahawks
OPENING DRIVE
• Columbia earned a 34-17 victory over Princeton last week to start Ivy League play 1-0 for the first time since 2017.
• Joey Giorgi was named Ivy League Offensive Player of the Week, while Hayden McDonald captured Ivy League Defensive Player of the Week honors.
• Columbia received four votes in the October 7 AFCA FCS Coaches Poll.
• The win snapped a five-game skid against the Tigers and was the first at home against Princeton since 2010.
• Columbia leads the Ivy League in total offense (434.7 yards per game) and rushing (213.3 yards per game).
PRINCETON LEFTOVERS
• Joey Giorgi rushed for 157 yards, two shy of a career-high, and moved up to No. 5 on Columbia's all-time rushing list (1,547).
• Edan Stagg had a career-high 99 receiving yards on six grabs.
• After being held without a rushing touchdown the first two weeks, the Lions scored three times on the ground.
• The Lions controlled time of possession, holding the ball for 38:17.
• Columbia won the turnover battle, 3-0, which turned into 13 points.
• Jon Poppe became the first Lions' head coach to win his Ivy League debut since Bob Schoop in 2003.
A COLUMBIA WIN WOULD...
• Secure a winning non-conference record for the eighth consecutive season.
• Be the first road victory as Lions' head coach for Jon Poppe.
• Improve Columbia to 5-0 all-time against Wagner.
SERIES HISTORY
Columbia and Wagner will meet for just the fifth time Saturday, with the Lions holding a 4-0 record against the Seahawks. The series began in 2015 with a 26-3 victory, the first win of the Al Bagnoli era.
Since then, the teams played a pair of one-possession games in 2016 and 2017 before the series resumed in 2022.
Columbia's lone visit to Staten Island was a 15-13 win, keyed by five field goals from Oren Milstein.
A LOOK BACK...
Columbia used a big second half to earn a 28-7 victory over Wagner on Oct. 8, 2022. Ryan Young rushed for 117 yards and a score, while Bryson Canty racked up 93 yards, including a highlight-reel touchdown catch, which was featured on ESPN's "You Got Mossed" segment.
Joe Green threw for three touchdowns, and the defense forced a pair of interceptions in the win. Rocco Milia and Justin Townsend each picked up sacks, while Joshua Powell had one of the Lions' interceptions.
Columbia held the Seahawks to 36 rushing yards and just 3-of-15 on third down to help secure the victory.
WAGNER'S STATUS
• Wagner is coming off a 28-7 victory over Stonehill. The Seahawks bounced back last week after dropping their previous two contests. Linebacker Justin Reilly led the way defensively, racking up twelve tackles and a sack. His defensive performance earned him NEC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
• Tom Masella is in his fifth season leading the Seahawks after playing and graduating from Wagner in 1981. Wagner finished last season at a 4-7 mark, going 3-4 in NEC play.
• Wagner is second in the NEC in passing touchdowns (14). Jake Cady is second in the NEC in passing touchdowns (11). Jaylen Bonelli and Mark Didio are second and third in the NEC in yards per catch with 17.4 and 17.0, respectively.
• Wagner's defense leads the NEC in fewest passing yards allowed per game (172.5). Jalin Justice is third in the NEC in sacks (2.5), and Nicholas Gadson is tied for second in TFLs (6.0).
•Wagner's kickoff return unit leads the NEC with 365 yards on kickoff returns. On 11 returns, Sam Martin has racked up 279 yards, averaging 25.4 yards per return, with a long of 57 yards.
TURNAROUND SEASON
Columbia is currently leading the Ivy League and ranks in the top 15 in FCS in total offense (434.7 yards per game) and rushing (213.3 yards per game). In total offense, the Lions are beating last year's average by 62 percent (166.8 YPG). Columbia has scored 30 points twice this season after not hitting that mark once in 2023 and has a pair of 200+ yard rushing games, which ties last year's mark.
BE MERRY
Sophomore placekicker Hugo Merry has connected on all of his field goals and PAT attempts this season. He has made seven straight field goals, dating back to last season and is one shy of tying Oren Milstein's program record for consecutive makes. He has also converted on 19 straight PATs dating back to the end of the 2023 season. As a rookie, Merry made eight field goals. Five of those were between 40 and 49 yards, and he set a season-high of 45.
For the latest on the Columbia football team, follow @CULionsFB on Twitter and Instagram, on Facebook and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
