Columbia University
Brown
Football Hosts Brown for Senior Day Saturday
11/12/2025 4:00:00 PM | Football
The Lions and Bears are both in search of their first Ivy League win
NEW YORK – Columbia football (1-7, 0-5) will take on Brown (3-5, 0-5) on Senior Day. Kickoff is slated for 12 p.m. on ESPN+ with Lance Medow, Shawn FitzGerald '80CC and CJ Brown '25CC on the call.
OPENING DRIVE
• Columbia hosts Brown in its penultimate game of the season and final home contest.
• The Lions will honor the 25 members of the senior class
• Senior Justin Townsend moved up to second on Columbia's all-time sack list after posting a sack on Friday. He is up to 19.5 in his career and is 2.5 shy of tying the record of 22.5, held by Daniel DeLorenzi '20CC.
• First-year Michael Walters is 65 yards shy of breaking the Lions' first-year rushing record.
A WIN WOULD...
• Snap a six-game losing streak.
• Be Columbia's first Ivy League win of the season.
SENIOR DAY
Before Saturday's game, Columbia will honor its 25 seniors. The Lions' Class of 2025 includes Ayden Baker, Lucas Bullock, Ryan Carr, Mark Chapman, Ewan Clarke, Cobe Crews, Cole Freeman, Matt Gallehdari, David Garland, Ethan Hebb, Noah Jordan, Jordan Kelley, James Lill, Shawn Lin, Jayden Marshall, James McCauley, Joshua Powell, AJ Simpkins, Jack Smiechowski, Jalen Smith, Patrick Sodl, Malcolm Terry II, Owen Thomas, Justin Townsend and Aaron Yoo. Depending on individual circumstances, several of these student-athletes could return to the Lions for the 2025 season. The group helped the Lions win their second Ivy League title in 2024 and has been part of 17 victories in their three-plus seasons with Columbia.
POSTGAME NOTES - HARVARD
• The then No. 9/13 Crimson scored the first 31 points of the game before Columbia scored twice in the fourth quarter in a 31-14 contest.
• Chase Goodwin and Titus Evans connected for both of the Lions' touchdowns in the game.
• 10 different receivers had receptions against Harvard.
• Columbia saw 23 different players record at least one tackle in the game.
• The Crimson went 5-for-5 in the red zone.
BROWN'S STATUS
• Brown is coming off a 34-22 loss to Yale. James Murphy threw for 366 yards and a touchdown, and John Perdue tied a career high with 11 tackles, but the Bears could not overcome the Bulldogs.
• James Perry is in his sixth season leading the Bears after playing and graduating from Brown in 2000. Prior to his tenure at Brown, Perry served as the head coach at Bryant from 2017 to 2018.
• Brown's offense is averaging over three touchdowns and 375 yards per game. James Murphy leads the Ivy League in completions (193), passing yards (2236), and passing yards per game (279.5). Ty Pezza is second in the Ivy League in receiving touchdowns (6), while Trevor Foley is second in yards per catch (18.7).
• Brown's defense is allowing nearly four touchdowns and over 411 yards of offense per game. John Perdue leads the Ivy League in solo tackles (45), and Ike Odimegwu is second in sacks (7).
•Drew Crabtree is a perfect 23-23 in extra points and 5-8 in field goals.
SERIES HISTORY
Columbia and Brown will meet for the 89th time in a series that dates back to 1902. The Bears are 54-32-2 all-time against the Lions. However, Columbia is 6-2 in the last eight meetings.
Three of the last four matchups have been decided by one possession, with two needing overtime to determine a winner.
LAST SEASON'S MATCHUP
Columbia earned a 21-12 win at Brown to keep its Ivy League Championship hopes alive in week nine last season. Caleb Sanchez threw for 241 yards and three touchdowns in his first career start, including two explosive connections with senior wide receiver Bryson Canty. Canty totaled a career-high 183 yards on six receptions, with touchdowns of 55 and 52 yards. Senior running back Joey Giorgi rushed 19 times for 107 yards.
Columbia's offense, which gained 478 total yards, was balanced by a stout defensive effort. It held Brown to 94 rushing yards, and Carter McCray intercepted a critical pass in the second quarter.
TICKETS
Tickets start at just $13. Click here to purchase game tickets or call 888-LIONS-11
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