Columbia University
2-8 , 1-6
Cornell
4-6 , 3-4
Football Tops Cornell, 29-12, to Earn Fifth Straight Empire State Bowl
11/22/2025 5:45:00 PM | Football
Justin Townsend became the Lions’ all-time sack leader, and Griffin Johnson rushed for 200 yards to give Columbia its first Ivy League win of the season
ITHACA, N.Y. — Columbia closed its 2025 season with authority Saturday, riding huge performances from Justin Townsend and Griffin Johnson to a 29–12 win over Cornell in the Empire State Bowl.
Townsend delivered 2.5 second-half sacks to become Columbia's all-time sacks leader, finishing his career with 23 and surpassing Daniel DeLorenzi's mark of 22 set in 2019. Johnson powered the offense with 203 rushing yards on 29 carries and a touchdown, becoming the first Lion to top 200 yards in a game since Johnathan Reese in 2000.
I was working hard all game, but not trying to force it, Townsend said. The last one was really special. I was working off the edge, and I have to give Keller Patterson credit for forcing the QB to step up. I found my opportunity and attacked the ball. It was a great feeling to be able to help us go out with a win.
Columbia (2-8, 1-5 Ivy) posted a season-high 253 rushing yards and out gained Cornell 423–313 overall. The Lions finished 8-for-14 on third down and scored on all four red-zone trips.
It wasn't anything magical, Patricia and Shepard Alexander Head Coach Jon Poppe said. We didn't have any new schemes. We just did things at a higher level today.
After an early Columbia turnover, Cornell drove to the 1, but senior Jayden Marshall ended the threat with an interception in the end zone. The Lions capitalized immediately, with Johnson breaking free for a 48-yard run, Columbia's longest rush of the season, setting up a 1-yard score by Michael Walters for a 7–0 lead.
The Big Red answered with a field goal, but Columbia was back in business after a 52-yard connection between Chase Goodwin and Beckett Robinson. Tight end Braden Dougherty hauled in a 13-yard touchdown to extend the Lions' lead to 14–3 early in the second quarter.
Cornell (4-6, 3-4) cut the deficit to five on a 1-yard run by Jordan Triplett, but missed the extra point, and Columbia responded with a crisp two-minute drill before halftime. Senior Lucas Bullock came up with a key nine-yard pickup off a pass on fourth down, and after a defensive pass interference, backup quarterback A.J. Simpkins punched in a 1-yard score as time expired. Goodwin found Titus Evans for the two-point conversion to make it 22–9 at the break.
Townsend took over in the second half. His pressure forced an intentional-grounding penalty in the third quarter, and he teamed with Joshua Powell for a sack that tied the record early in the fourth. On the next Cornell possession, Townsend stripped quarterback Garrett Bass-Sulpizio for the milestone sack, giving Columbia the ball at the Cornell 37.
Six plays later, Johnson burst through the middle for a 14-yard touchdown to put the game out of reach.
Marshall finished with five tackles, an interception and a pass breakup. Senior Jack Smiechowski led Columbia with eight tackles, while Townsend, Powell and Liam Donagher combined for all four of the Lions' sacks. Columbia forced two turnovers and held Cornell to 5-for-13 on third down.
It means a lot to come out of here with a win, especially for our seniors, said Poppe. Seeing Jayden Marshall and AJ Simpkins contribute and then having guys like Jalen Smith, David Garland, Shawn Lin and guys that haven't played a ton get out there for victory formation was just awesome.
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POSTGAME NOTES
- Columbia rushed for a season-high 253 yards, marking the first time they eclipsed 200 yards on the ground as a team since October 24, 2024, against Wagner.
- Columbia snapped a seven-game losing streak.
- The win was the Lions' first road win of the season.
- The Lions have won five straight against the Big Red and improved to 9-6 since the inception of the Empire State Bowl in 2010.
- Columbia's defense held Bass-Sulpizio without a rushing touchdown for the first time in seven games.
Team Stats
COL 7, COR 0
COL - Walters,Michael 1 yd run (Merry,Hugo kick), 8 plays, 80 yards, TOP 03:41
COL 7, COR 3
COR - Lesiewicz,Caden 32 yd field goal 8 plays, 60 yards, TOP 02:57
COL 14, COR 3
COL - Dougherty,Braden 13 yd pass from Goodwin,Chase (Merry,Hugo kick) 6 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:13
COL 14, COR 9
COR - Triplett,Jordan 1 yd run (), 7 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:46
COL 22, COR 9
COL - Simpkins,A.J. 1 yd run (Evans,Titus pass), 12 plays, 63 yards, TOP 01:52
COL 22, COR 12
COR - Lesiewicz,Caden 37 yd field goal 15 plays, 57 yards, TOP 06:29
COL 29, COR 12
COL - Johnson,Griffin 14 yd run (Merry,Hugo kick), 6 plays, 37 yards, TOP 04:04
