Johnson and Merry Take Ivy League Weekly Honors
9/28/2026 1:00:00 PM | Football
Johnson was named Ivy League Offensive Player of the Week, while Merry earned Special Team Player of the Week
PRINCETON, N.J. — Columbia senior running back Griffin Johnson was named the Ivy League Offensive Player of the Week and senior kicker Hugo Merry earned Ivy League Special Teams Player of the Week honors, the league announced Monday after the Lions' 20-17 overtime win at Georgetown on Saturday.
Johnson powered Columbia's offense with 121 rushing yards on 30 carries in Washington, D.C., adding three receptions for 26 yards. Two of his catches came on third down in the second half and helped extend drives as the Lions kept possession and controlled tempo. Columbia finished with a 37:34 edge in time of possession.
The performance also placed Johnson in rare company in program history. He became the first Columbia running back to record three straight 100-yard rushing games since 2000 and the first Lion to carry the ball at least 30 times in a game since 2015.
Through three games, Johnson leads the Ivy League and ranks seventh in the FCS in rushing, averaging 122.5 yards per game.
Merry delivered a perfect day in the kicking game, going 2-for-2 on field goals and converting both extra points. His 25-yard field goal in the first overtime ended the game and sealed the Lions' road win.
He also drilled a season-long 38-yarder in difficult conditions, with wind and rain in the nation's capital. With his scoring output Saturday, Merry moved into third place on Columbia's all-time placekicking scoring list with 147 career points.
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.
Johnson powered Columbia's offense with 121 rushing yards on 30 carries in Washington, D.C., adding three receptions for 26 yards. Two of his catches came on third down in the second half and helped extend drives as the Lions kept possession and controlled tempo. Columbia finished with a 37:34 edge in time of possession.
The performance also placed Johnson in rare company in program history. He became the first Columbia running back to record three straight 100-yard rushing games since 2000 and the first Lion to carry the ball at least 30 times in a game since 2015.
Through three games, Johnson leads the Ivy League and ranks seventh in the FCS in rushing, averaging 122.5 yards per game.
Merry delivered a perfect day in the kicking game, going 2-for-2 on field goals and converting both extra points. His 25-yard field goal in the first overtime ended the game and sealed the Lions' road win.
He also drilled a season-long 38-yarder in difficult conditions, with wind and rain in the nation's capital. With his scoring output Saturday, Merry moved into third place on Columbia's all-time placekicking scoring list with 147 career points.
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
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