Saturday, September 26
Washington, D.C./Cooper Field
12:30 P.M.
Columbia
2-0 , 0-0
20
at
17
Georgetown
0-3 , 0-2
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | OT | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | 7 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 20 |
| Georgetown | 0 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
Photo by: Columbia University Athletics / Taylor Barber
Columbia Football Outlasts Georgetown, 20-17, In OT
9/26/2026 4:59:00 PM | Football
Hugo Merry’s overtime field goal lifts Columbia past Georgetown in its second consecutive OT win
WASHINGTON, D.C. — For the first time since overtime was created, the Columbia football team has opened a season with back-to-back overtime wins. On Saturday, Hugo Merry's 25-yard field goal on the opening overtime drive was the difference as Columbia defeated Georgetown 20-17 to retain the Lou Little Cup.
Columbia (2-0) trailed for much of the second half before rallying. Chase Goodwin threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to Bryce Coleman with 13:11 left in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 17, capping an 11-play, 80-yard drive.
On the ground, Griffin Johnson had a busy afternoon, carrying the ball 30 times for 121 yards. He is the first Columbia running back to run for 100+ yards in three straight contests since Jonathan Reese in 2000, and it's the first time a Lion totaled 30 or more carries since Cameron Molina did it against Brown on November 20, 2015.
Goodwin finished 23-of-50 for 277 yards with two touchdowns, spreading the ball to six different receivers.
Hutch Crow led Columbia with six catches for 83 yards, and Coleman added six receptions for 54 yards and the go-ahead score. Beckett Robinson chipped in a 45-yard reception.
Columbia struck first on its second offensive series, going 83 yards on 14 plays to take a 7-0 lead on a 16-yard touchdown pass from Goodwin to Braden Dougherty late in the first quarter. Merry's 38-yard field goal just before halftime made it 10-7.
Georgetown (0-3) answered with 10 unanswered points in the third quarter, with the big momentum swing coming from a 71-yard punt return for a touchdown by Hassan Mahasin and a 23-yard field goal by Thomas Anderson.
"It goes back to resiliency," said Patricia and Shepard Alexander Head Coach of Football Jon Poppe after the game. "I'm really proud of how the guys stood together, especially after their punt return (for a touchdown). I'm really impressed with just the grit and doing what it took to win a game against a team that played lights out today."
Hoyas' quarterback Jack Johnson was efficient in the loss, completing 10 of 18 passes for 119 yards and a touchdown, with a 26-yard scoring strike to Burke Carroll in the second quarter.
But Columbia's defense tightened after the third period, keeping Georgetown off the scoreboard for the rest of the contest and helping set up Coleman's tying score early in the fourth.
Goodwin's second touchdown pass of the day was the 19th of his career, moving him into sole possession of 15th in career touchdown passes at Columbia.
Columbia's defense finished with two sacks and forced two interceptions, with Jeremiah Douglas leading the unit with seven tackles. Columbia was efficient in the red zone, scoring on all four trips (two touchdowns, two field goals) for 20 points.
The Lions converted 10 of 18 third-down opportunities and out-gained Georgetown, 431-234. Despite three turnovers, they relied on their ground game and short-to-intermediate passing attack to control tempo throughout.
Columbia opens up Ivy League play when it hosts Princeton on Saturday, October 3, at Robert K. Kraft Field at Wien Stadium. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. ET on ESPN+ and SNY.
Tickets are available starting at $13. 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.
Columbia (2-0) trailed for much of the second half before rallying. Chase Goodwin threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to Bryce Coleman with 13:11 left in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 17, capping an 11-play, 80-yard drive.
On the ground, Griffin Johnson had a busy afternoon, carrying the ball 30 times for 121 yards. He is the first Columbia running back to run for 100+ yards in three straight contests since Jonathan Reese in 2000, and it's the first time a Lion totaled 30 or more carries since Cameron Molina did it against Brown on November 20, 2015.
Goodwin finished 23-of-50 for 277 yards with two touchdowns, spreading the ball to six different receivers.
Hutch Crow led Columbia with six catches for 83 yards, and Coleman added six receptions for 54 yards and the go-ahead score. Beckett Robinson chipped in a 45-yard reception.
Columbia struck first on its second offensive series, going 83 yards on 14 plays to take a 7-0 lead on a 16-yard touchdown pass from Goodwin to Braden Dougherty late in the first quarter. Merry's 38-yard field goal just before halftime made it 10-7.
Georgetown (0-3) answered with 10 unanswered points in the third quarter, with the big momentum swing coming from a 71-yard punt return for a touchdown by Hassan Mahasin and a 23-yard field goal by Thomas Anderson.
"It goes back to resiliency," said Patricia and Shepard Alexander Head Coach of Football Jon Poppe after the game. "I'm really proud of how the guys stood together, especially after their punt return (for a touchdown). I'm really impressed with just the grit and doing what it took to win a game against a team that played lights out today."
Hoyas' quarterback Jack Johnson was efficient in the loss, completing 10 of 18 passes for 119 yards and a touchdown, with a 26-yard scoring strike to Burke Carroll in the second quarter.
But Columbia's defense tightened after the third period, keeping Georgetown off the scoreboard for the rest of the contest and helping set up Coleman's tying score early in the fourth.
Goodwin's second touchdown pass of the day was the 19th of his career, moving him into sole possession of 15th in career touchdown passes at Columbia.
Columbia's defense finished with two sacks and forced two interceptions, with Jeremiah Douglas leading the unit with seven tackles. Columbia was efficient in the red zone, scoring on all four trips (two touchdowns, two field goals) for 20 points.
The Lions converted 10 of 18 third-down opportunities and out-gained Georgetown, 431-234. Despite three turnovers, they relied on their ground game and short-to-intermediate passing attack to control tempo throughout.
Columbia opens up Ivy League play when it hosts Princeton on Saturday, October 3, at Robert K. Kraft Field at Wien Stadium. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. ET on ESPN+ and SNY.
Tickets are available starting at $13. 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
/ Football
WR
/ Football
TE
/ Football
DB
/ Football
QB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
PK
/ Football
WR
/ FootballTeam Stats
CU
GU
Total Yards
431
234
Pass Yards
277
119
Rushing Yards
154
115
Penalty Yards
48
22
1st Downs
27
10
3rd Downs
10
4
4th Downs
0
0
TOP
37:34
22:26
1st Quarter
CU 7, GU 0
CU - Dougherty,Braden 16 yd pass from Goodwin,Chase (Merry,Hugo kick) 14 plays, 83 yards, TOP 07:34
2nd Quarter
CU 7, GU 7
GU - Carroll,Burke 26 yd pass from Johnson,Jack (Anderson,Thomas kick) 5 plays, 82 yards, TOP 02:03
CU 10, GU 7
CU - Merry,Hugo 38 yd field goal 8 plays, 60 yards, TOP 02:37
3rd Quarter
CU 10, GU 14
GU - Mahasin,Hassan 71 yd punt return (Anderson,Thomas kick)
CU 10, GU 17
GU - Anderson,Thomas 23 yd field goal 8 plays, 70 yards, TOP 03:48
4th Quarter
CU 17, GU 17
CU - Coleman,Bryce 2 yd pass from Goodwin,Chase (Merry,Hugo kick) 11 plays, 80 yards, TOP 03:48
OT Quarter
CU 20, GU 17
CU - Merry,Hugo 25 yd field goal 6 plays, 18 yards, TOP 00:00
Game Leaders
CMP
23
TD
2
YDS
277
INT
2
Saturday, September 26
Friday, September 25
Saturday, September 19
Saturday, September 19
