Photo by: Columbia University Athletics / Stockton Photo, Inc.
10/19/2026 1:00:00 PM | Football
The Lions pick up two Ivy League weekly honors for the third time this season
PRINCETON, N.J. — Columbia football earned two Ivy League weekly honors after a 28-27 comeback win over Penn on Friday night. AJ George was named Ivy League Defensive Player of the Week, while Bryce Coleman was selected Ivy League Rookie of the Week for the third time this season.
George anchored Columbia's defense in Philadelphia, leading the Lions with eight tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack and an interception. His interception helped swing the game early in Columbia's rally from a 17-point deficit, setting up a Lions touchdown.
George came through again after Columbia grabbed the lead in the fourth quarter. He recorded a sack that forced Penn to punt, helping Columbia protect the lead late.
Columbia's defense locked in down the stretch, holding the Quakers to 72 rushing yards and just three points in the second half during the comeback. George has now recorded a takeaway in back-to-back games after recovering a fumble for a touchdown last week against Marist.
Coleman delivered one of the biggest nights by a Columbia receiver in more than a decade, finishing with six catches for 90 yards and three touchdowns. He scored the game-winning touchdown with 6:41 left in the fourth quarter.
His three-touchdown performance made him the first Columbia wide receiver since 2011 to catch three scores in a game. Coleman also set Columbia's first-year record for receiving touchdowns with eight, and tied a program record by catching a touchdown in his fifth straight game.
Coleman currently ranks fourth in the FCS in receiving touchdowns and leads all first-years.
Columbia returns to Robert K. Kraft Field next Saturday, October 24, to take on Dartmouth for Homecoming. Kickoff is slated for 1:30 p.m. on ESPN+.
Tickets are available starting at $20. To purchase, click here or call 888-LIONS-11.
FOLLOW THE LIONS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
For the latest on the Columbia football team, follow @CULionsFB on X, Instagram, on Facebook and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
George anchored Columbia's defense in Philadelphia, leading the Lions with eight tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack and an interception. His interception helped swing the game early in Columbia's rally from a 17-point deficit, setting up a Lions touchdown.
George came through again after Columbia grabbed the lead in the fourth quarter. He recorded a sack that forced Penn to punt, helping Columbia protect the lead late.
Columbia's defense locked in down the stretch, holding the Quakers to 72 rushing yards and just three points in the second half during the comeback. George has now recorded a takeaway in back-to-back games after recovering a fumble for a touchdown last week against Marist.
Coleman delivered one of the biggest nights by a Columbia receiver in more than a decade, finishing with six catches for 90 yards and three touchdowns. He scored the game-winning touchdown with 6:41 left in the fourth quarter.
His three-touchdown performance made him the first Columbia wide receiver since 2011 to catch three scores in a game. Coleman also set Columbia's first-year record for receiving touchdowns with eight, and tied a program record by catching a touchdown in his fifth straight game.
Coleman currently ranks fourth in the FCS in receiving touchdowns and leads all first-years.
Columbia returns to Robert K. Kraft Field next Saturday, October 24, to take on Dartmouth for Homecoming. Kickoff is slated for 1:30 p.m. on ESPN+.
Tickets are available starting at $20. To purchase, click here or call 888-LIONS-11.
FOLLOW THE LIONS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
For the latest on the Columbia football team, follow @CULionsFB on X, Instagram, on Facebook and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
Players Mentioned
WR
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Saturday, October 17
Thursday, October 15
Thursday, October 15
