NEW YORK – Columbia football jumps back into Ivy League play when it hosts Penn on Homecoming, presented by JAG Physical Therapy. Kickoff is slated for 1:30 p.m. on ESPN+ with Lance Medow and Shawn FitzGerald '80CC on the call.
OPENING DRIVE
• Columbia (1-3, 0-1). will remain at home to face Penn on Saturday for its 84th Homecoming Game.
• The Lions were without their top two quarterbacks, Chase Goodwin and Caleb Sanchez, due to injury last week against No. 7/8 Lehigh.
• Columbia's defense remains in the top 25 nationally in yards allowed per game (349.5 - 21st) and passing defense (178.8 - 22nd). The Lions have allowed just one passing touchdown this season, which is the fewest in FCS.
A WIN WOULD...
• Snap a two-game losing streak
• Give the Lions their first win on Homecoming since 2021
• Be the program's second consecutive win over the Quakers
• Be Columbia's first Ivy League win of the season
POSTGAME NOTES - LEHIGH
• The Lions fell behind early and could never catch up with No. 7/8 Lehigh, who claimed a 31-7 victory last weekend.
• Columbia has lost back-to-back games for the first time under Jon Poppe.
• First-year wide receiver Beckett Robinson recorded his first career reception, a 37-yard strike in the third quarter.
• In his first career start, quarterback Xander Menapace finished 11-of-21 for 178 yards and a touchdown.
• Titus Evans posted 111 receiving yards and a touchdown. He became the first Lion to eclipse the 100-yard receiving mark this season.
• The 74-yard connection between Menapace and Evans is the longest passing play in the Ivy League this season.
PENN'S STATUS
• Penn is coming off a 28-9 victory versus Marist. Liam O'Brien threw for two touchdowns and 335 yards, while Jared Richardson recorded 15 catches for 190 yards and two touchdowns to earn StatsPerform National Player of the Week honors. The Quakers have won two straight, recording victories over Dartmouth and the Red Foxes.
• The Quakers are receiving votes in the latest AFCA Coaches Poll.
• Ray Priore is in his 10th season leading the Quakers, and in his 39th season overall at Penn. Penn finished last season with a 4-6 record, going 2-5 in Ivy League Play.
• Penn's offense is averaging over 376 yards per game. O'Brien leads the Ivy League in completions (86), passing yards (1036), and passing yards per game (259). Richardson is leading the nation in receiving yards per game (117.8) and receptions per game (8.8). Richardson also sits atop the Ivy League leaderboard in receptions (35), receiving yards (471), and receiving touchdowns (5).
• Penn's defense is allowing over 345 yards per game. John Lista has recorded 32 total tackles, two tackles-for-loss, and one sack, while Kadari Machen has recorded 24 total tackles with four tackles-for-loss.
• Julien Stokes is the only Ivy Leaguer with a punt return for a touchdown through four games. Stokes is leading the nation with 29.4 yards per punt return. Santiago Sturla and Christian de Villiers have both seen time punting, while Josh Barnavon and Mason Walters have split kickoff duties.
SERIES HISTORY
Columbia and Penn will meet for the 104th time in a series that dates back to 1878. The Quakers lead the all-time series, 77-25-1.
Columbia has had better success recently, posting a 4-3 record since 2017. The Lions snapped a 12-game losing streak in Philadelphia after topping the Quakers, 23-17, last season.
HOMECOMING HISTORY
Saturday will mark Columbia's 84th Homecoming Game, which dates back to 1941. The Lions are 25-57-1 all-time and will aim for their first win on Homecoming since 2021 (23-14 vs. Penn). Columbia and Penn have previously faced off 19 times on Homecoming, with the Big Green holding a 14-5 edge.
TICKETS
Tickets start at just $20.
Click here to purchase game tickets or call 888-LIONS-11
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