Tickets for Sale! Let's DO this!

With 52 days to go before the long-awaited return of Ivy League Football, a major question has been answered for fans as Columbia Football season tickets went on sale today.

I say "question" because COVID fears are rising again lately and I was beginning to worry that Ivy presidents might jump at the chance to cancel the season, or at least ban fan attendance. 

Thankfully, it looks like neither will happen. However, to keep ticket lines less crowded and make it easier to comply with COVID precautions there is a major push for fans to buy digital season tickets this year. I think it's a good move.

Look, my readers know I make a pitch for people to buy tickets and go to the games every year. But this year it's really important. We need to be together in public again, cheering on these really hard-working kids, coaches, trainers, and other staff. They have been through hell, and so have the fans in a way. It's time to celebrate just being back on the field again. 

Patriot Games

Palmer Nix

There was a time when all three of Columbia's out of conference games were against Patriot League opponents. Lehigh, Lafayette, and Bucknell were staples of the CU schedule for a long time. 

But would any of you care to guess how long it's been since the Lions played any of those above teams?

If you guessed it was Lehigh at Wien Stadium in 2013, you're right. 

In recent years, the only Patriot League staple on the Columbia schedule has been Georgetown. That's the case again this year as the Lions and Hoyas will face off in New York in week 2. 

Speaking of that, the Patriot League announced the results of its preseason media poll today and named it's preseason all-league team. 

Georgetown not only came in sixth out of seven teams in the poll, it only had one member of the all-league team in kick returner Palmer Nix.

Of course, predicting things this season after the COVID shutdown seems foolish. So all we can say is that it at least LOOKS like Columbia is not playing a powerhouse Georgetown team this year. 

Top Ten Games of the Decade #5: Magic Mike

Columbia 24 Cornell 21

November 17, 2018

Coming off the groundbreaking 8-2 2017 season, 2018 was something of a disappointment even though it did end in a winning season for the Lions, (and the team's first back-to-back winning season since 1961-62). 

But to scratch out that 6-4 finish, Columbia put together a number of exciting wins, including three out of four to finish the season. 

None was more exciting than this contest against Cornell, which combined amazing individual play with plenty of twists and turns to the final seconds. 

The Lions looked like they were going to dominate the game when they jumped out to a 10-0 lead thanks mostly to a 91 yard punt return for a TD by freshman Mike Roussos. Columbia was driving for another score when a penalty killed the drive and the Big Red snuck back into the game. 

The most drama of the game seemed like it would come midway in the 4th quarter with Cornell now up 14-10. That was when the Lions marched 75 yards on a nailbiter of a drive led by another freshman, QB Ty Lenhart. The most dramatic play of that drive was a prayer of a pass on 3rd and 14 from the Columbia 21 that WR Kaleb Pitts somehow came down with. There were two more 3rd and long passes that Lenhart completed later in the drive as well. (One has to believe that the extreme confidence the Lion coaches continue to show in Lenhart was probably born on that drive). 

After Kyle Castner finished his college career by scoring the two-yard TD to give the Lions a 17-14 lead with 6:46 to go, no longtime Columbia fan believed the game was over. But when Cornell's initial attempts to get back into Lion territory failed, perhaps some of the Light Blue faithful were willing to breathe a sigh of relief.

They shouldn't have.

Because with 2:50 left and the Big Red backed up at their own 22, the Columbia secondary finally faltered and allowed a wide open WR Owen Peters to make a 48 yard grab. Cornell took a 21-17 lead with just 58 seconds to go a few plays later. 

Then one of the greatest plays in Columbia history ensued. Despite going for a the "safe" squib kickoff, Roussos scooped the ball up and wound his way through tacklers in the middle of the field for a stunning and spectacular 87-yard TD. 

But it still wasn't over.

Because of a celebration penalty called on Roussos, Columbia had to kick off from its own 15 and Cornell took over at its own 45 with 45 seconds left. But this time, the Lion secondary held and the game was over. 

I wrote immediately after the game that the contest was the most miraculous Columbia win I had ever seen. 

It still is. 

Loyola Sends Another...

Loyola High School in Los Angeles is sending Columbia Football another commit for next year in 6-5, 250 pound DL Shawn Lin. 

Lin has great size and was probably on the cusp of getting more offers when the CU coaches swooped in and netted him before that happened. Lin has a lot of upside potential. 

Lin and fellow Loyola footballer Patrick Sodl will be the 8th and 9th players from that high school to come to Columbia Football. Before Sodl's commitment, the last Loyola player to come to Morningside Heights was WR Taylor Joseph '10, who was an impact player for the Lions in his day. 

Remember, my LionFeeders database contains the names of every documented HS where Columbia Football players have graduated from before playing for CU. It's an important resource, but also a really fun backdoor way to track the progression of high school education in this country and how college admissions in general have changed. 

So our 2022 incoming freshman list has grown 50% to 3:

1. Ewan Clarke OT/DT 6"6 280 lbs. St. Stephen's/St. Agnes School Alexandria, VA

2. Shawn Lin DL 6"4 250 lbs. Loyola HS Los Angeles, CA

3. Patrick Sodl LB 5"11 210 lbs. Loyola HS Los Angeles, CA

Sophomore Links

Gabriel Hollingsworth

Count me in as one of the early members of the club of pundits who consider this coming Ivy football season to be the biggest wildcard in league history. With just about every team sporting rosters with well over 50% newcomers, it seems like a fool's errand to try to predict the final standings with other than a very broad guess.

But I do feel confident in making one sort of prediction based on simple history: A key deciding factor this season for all eight Ivy teams will be how well each program has used this added year off to train and condition the now-sophomore players who still haven't played a game for their new schools. 

That's because what every coach tells you about incoming freshmen football classes in the Ivies is that the biggest job is getting them physically big and strong enough, and getting them ready for the transition to college life. 

The college life part is still going to be tricky, with most Ivy schools shunning on-campus living last year, (with Cornell being a notable, successful exception). But the weight room work, playbook study, and general culture-learning part of the job was something all the Ivy coaching staffs surely strove to get done with last year's freshmen. 

Does that mean we could see a bevvy of breakout stars among the sophomore class across the league? I think we could, and that could also be the case at a number of positions where freshmen don't usually break through so soon. Because after all... these guys aren't really freshmen. 

For Columbia, there are a number of sophomores who could make a major impact if in fact they've been able to use this extra transition year to get more physically and mentally ready. 

At QB, there are actually four of these sophomores and at least three of them come with high expectations. Gabriel Hollingsworth can pass and run and may even line up at other skill positions at times. Joe Green is a transfer from San Diego State with good size and arm strength. Kris Jenner also has great size and passing ability. And then there's the curious case of CU Baseball team convert E.J. Kreutzman, who at 5-11 and serious speed may play some kind of role in the CU offense as a wildcat QB. 

At RB, Joey Giorgi seems like the cream of the sophomore crop, but that's a position with a lot of depth and some exciting talent in the freshman class. 

At WR, Marcus Libman could end being the top newcomer of the entire year. Nico Valencia comes in much more under the radar than the lauded Libman, but he could be a real diamond in the rough. 

Both of the sophomore TE's look really promising in Dominic Busby and James Miller. They were both heavily recruited and are both from New Jersey, which may also have made their transition year a bit easier. Columbia desperately needs an impact player at TE this and every year.

At OL, Noah Layton had the most impressive highlight reel and Braedon Bellmer had the most impressive array of offers. If either one of them is good enough to start even one game this year, that would be very good news. 

On the DL, the most intriguing sophomore is the very large-sized David Bartholomew at 6-6 and with hands that look like they can crush a QB's head. If the CU coaches can't teach him to be effective at least at batting down passes, they should try another line of work. Savon Rawlins is from Brooklyn by way of the Lawrenceville School and he looks very athletic. How great would it be to have a Brooklyn kid starring in CU Football again? Getting back to size, Ben Corniello seemed too undersized when he committed last year, but he could be the prime example of my theory about using this extra time to beef up. The D-line is absolutely the position group where Columbia needs the most help right now, so if these guys are ready to play they will play. 

Columbia's talented LB corps will be tough to break into for playing time, but all three of the sophomores at this position look very good. First, you have to believe Anthony Roussos will make a strong go of getting on the field. CJ Brown has such blistering speed it would be a shame not to use him at least as a gunner on special teams. And some Lion-watchers continue to gush to me about Scott Rosati. 

In the secondary, breaking into the two-deep will be difficult as well. Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin's son Mason Tomlin has now been switched back on the roster from WR to DB, but the best sophomore may be Mahari Miller from Springfield, MA. 

Only an injury would push junior K Alex Felkins and 5th year senior P Drew Schmid off the field, so the only place I can see sophomores making a big impact on the special teams is at the punt or kick returner slots. There's enough speed in the sophomore class to make that a possibility. 

But this is a large crop of newcomers who the Lion coaches have had the time to prepare well beyond the usual allotted period for guys who have never seen the field in any college games. Let's see what they make of it. 

Top 10 Games of the Decade #6: Defense Shines in Streak-Breaker vs. Harvard

Columbia 17 Harvard 10 (OT) 

Nov. 9, 2019

2019 was mostly a disappointing year for Columbia, but two of the three wins that season were so uplifting that it's hard to call it a complete loss. 

The contest against Harvard in week 8 was one of those games, ending an excruciating 15-game losing streak to the Crimson in exciting fashion. 

Harvard scored first to take a 7-0 lead that held up until the 2nd quarter when QB Ty Lenhart threw a TD pass to fellow sophomore Mozes Mooney, who made an incredible play to catch the ball. (Mooney would come up big a couple of times with great catches on the game-tying drive late in the 4th quarter as well. Which makes it a shame that Mooney has since left the team).

Columbia's offense was glitchy much of the day, but the defense came up big time after time. That was especially true after a Lenhart interception seemed to doom the Lions to a 10-7 loss, but the defense forced a big three-and-out on the ensuing possession and Columbia got that one last chance to tie. 

In OT, the Lions scored a TD on just two plays, and junior Ben Mathiasmeier (who IS coming back for 2021) made an incredible interception on Harvard's first play to seal the win. 

Columbia followed up that dramatic win with two losses to end 2019, but it was still a very gratifying day on Kraft Field.

Menwhile, the strong showings that day by 2021 returnees like Mathiasmeier, LB Scott Valentas, LB John Harris, WR Mike Roussos, RB Ryan Young, DL Cam Coleman, K Alex Felkins, P Drew Schmid, and DL Mitch Moyer, are all encouraging signs for this fall. 

Starting the New Commit List

 

6-6, 280-point OT, DT Ewan Clarke from the St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School, Alexandria. VA has committed to the 2022 Columbia freshman class. Clarke also had offers from Penn and William & Mary. 

He will be the first St. Stephens/St. Agnes grad to come to Columbia Football. 

So let's have Mr. Clarke kickoff our 2022 list, followed by Patrick Sodl. And of course this list will keep growing as we get closer to the start of the 2021 high school football season:

1. Ewan Clarke OT/DT 6"6 280 lbs. St. Stephen's/St. Agnes School Alexandria, VA

2. Patrick Sodl LB 5"11 210 lbs. Loyola HS Los Angeles, CA

Remembering and Honoring Mike Sardo '93

Mike Sardo and his boys

After fighting a rare and terrible disease for more than 20 years, Mike Sardo '93 has passed away.

I've written many times about Mike, who was someone I bumped into on campus as a student frequently over the years, both here and on the old incarnation of this blog. He was an improbable All Ivy wide receiver, considering how light he was and the fact that he came out of a program like Bethpage HS on Long Island, never a football powerhouse. 

Sardo's teammates, like the great Des Werthman '93, often gave him shout outs for his play and determination whenever they talked about their years with the Lions. And Sardo and his struggle were featured in a piece on Columbia College Today. 

There is an effort underway to get one of the postseason awards named after Sardo. I hope to have more information on that in the weeks to come. 

In the meantime, please consider donating to the GoFundMe account for Mike's family. His medical bills over the years have been enormous and support is needed. 

My good friend Greg Abbruzzese also sent this message about Mike, and I wanted to share it as well:

It is with a heavy heart that I share with you the passing of a true Lion, Mike Sardo, CC '93. On July 2nd, Mike Sardo lost his courageous battle with acute lymphocytic leukemia. Mike was a gentle giant on and off the field as he earned First Team All-Ivy in 1991 and 1992. He fought hard for so long because he knew he had so much to fight for - his beloved and dedicated wife, Kathleen (CC '93-All-Ivy basketball player), and their two sons; Darrion and Sedric. Mike loved Columbia and especially the brotherhood of Columbia football. Mike worked hard for over twenty years at the FBI to provide for his family. He was proud of his family and grateful for life’s simple moments. The type of medical care that Mike required cost a great deal, particularly these last two years. Unfortunately, insurance did not cover the level of medical care that Mike actually needed. I realize that we all have many things going on in our lives, however, if you can, please consider contributing to Mike's GO FUND ME PAGE. https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-mike-sardo. If you cannot, please include Mike and his family in your prayers. If any funds remain after the medical expenses, they will be set aside for Darrion and Sedric's education.

 

Let's show loud the CU family roars when someone needs us!!!

 

Lion Schedule and National Broadcast Info Released

Optimism should be rising about the chances we will have a fairly normal 2021 Ivy football season now that we have just about all of Columbia's actual game times released and we know the schedule of nationally televised games on ESPNU (and NOT NBC Sports Network), 

Of course, I'll be happier when we also see a training camp schedule and happiest when each and every regular season game kicks off. 

Getting back to the ESPNU games, every Ivy team will get at least one game nationally broadcast. But defending co-champ Dartmouth gets a whopping three national games, including two at home. That includes the 10/22 game vs. the Lions at Memorial Field. I must admit I'm a little bummed about that one, as I really enjoy visiting Dartmouth for day games and getting up to Hanover in time for a Friday night tilt is almost impossible from the NYC area... unless you leave on Thursday. Well, let's just say if both teams are 5-0 going into that game I'll probably find a way. 

But since Dartmouth is going to be on your TV screens so often this fall anyway, why don't you sign up for Bruce Wood's Big Green Alert premium web service and be informed about a key Columbia opponent? The info on how to do that is available by clicking here.

BTW, Bruce begins his coverage on that site every year with a look at all the Ivy teams and their strengths and weaknesses, so it's really a must for any Ivy football fan. 

Fathers and Sons

Patrick Sodl

I know Fathers Day was two weeks ago, but for longtime Columbia Football fans this is a special weekend to think about fathers, sons, and legacies. 

On Saturday, rising HS senior LB Patrick Sodl announced his commitment to the 2022 incoming Columbia freshman class. 

His name should sound familiar because Patrick is the son of Matt Sodl '88, one of the best and most inspiring defenders in Lions football history. 

Matt was also unfortunate enough to never enjoy a varsity win despite his amazing talent and effort. Matt's story is so emotionally powerful that every video you see or story you read about Columbia's infamous 0-44 losing streak of 1983-88 includes a profile of Matt and especially his amazing final home game performance against Dartmouth in 1987.

Matt Sodl & Jake Novak, 2007

Despite all that, no one has been a more loyal football alum for Columbia than Matt has been over the decades. He's also become a personal friend.

Of course we can't know what kind of college career Patrick will have. But I'm looking forward to every varsity win he participates in that I know will be enjoyed the most by his very proud dad.  

Cameron Carter

Of course Columbia is currently enjoying the fantastic play of another legacy in DL Cameron Carter, son of Matt Sodl's teammate Hector Carter '88. But since Cameron is already a 5th year senior, he won't be Patrick's teammate in 2022. 

Mason Tomlin

Speaking of fathers and sons, Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin's son Mason Tomlin will hopefully see the field for the Lions this season. If he's good enough to make the travel team, perhaps his dad will be in the stands to watch Mason in the October 22 game at Dartmouth* when the Steelers have a bye week. Hopefully, Coach Tomlin will also get a chance to see his son play at Wien Stadium in NYC a few times as well over the next 3-4 years. 

*(Yes, I know that game is still officially scheduled for 10/23, but you can bet on it being moved to Friday night for the NBCSN national broadcast the ESPNU national broadcast)

Now that I'm about to see my first child go off to college, these kinds stories resonate strongly for me. But when it comes to the Sodls, you'd have to be ice cold inside not to feel the emotional weight, 

 

Top 10 Games of the Decade #7: It all Comes Together in Providence

 

November 19, 2016

Columbia 31 Brown 13

As Al Bagnoli's second season as Columbia's head coach was wrapping up, it was clear he had turned the Lion program back from the brink. But CU was still not showing many signs of becoming a contending team anytime soon. All the Lions had were a few standout performers, but little track record of being able to put all of its best features together even for just one game. 

At 2-7 going into the final game of the year at Brown, Columbia had won those two games against sub-par opponents Wagner and Dartmouth, (the Big Green were in a rebuilding year). Both of those wins had been very close and not that convincing. 

But following the win against Dartmouth, the Lions looked more impressive. That was especially true in the 28-21 squeaker defeat at Harvard. 

A maddening 42-40 loss to Cornell followed the loss in Cambridge, and that left fans wondering if Columbia would ever get all of its ducks in a row even for one week. 

Things didn't start out too well at Brown Stadium when the Lions got one 1st down on their opening possession and then had their punt blocked and recovered by the Bears at the CU two yard line. 

But two Columbia tackles for a loss and a penalty killed Brown's chances of getting a quick TD, and the Bears settled for a 42 yard FG and a 3-0 lead.

Spurred by the great defensive effort, junior QB Anders Hill engineered a 14-play, 80-yard TD drive that featured the run and the pass. 

The two teams traded scoreless possessions after that until with 11:25 left in the half, Hill started another 80-yard TD drive that ended with a 46 yard scoring pass to freshman WR Josh Wainwright. 

Just before the half, Hill found Wainwright again to end a 71-yard drive with a 16-yard TD pass. 

The pieces were clearly starting to come together. 

But the game was not to be a cakewalk. Brown closed to within 21-13 with just over 10 minutes left in the game. 

That's when Hill and Co. came through in the clutch and executed a short but crucial drive to set up a 31-yard Oren Milstein FG to essentially ice the game. 

The exclamation point came a few minutes later when senior RB Alan Watson ripped off a 69-yard TD, notching a spectacular play for the last time he touched a ball in his collegiate football career. 

Brown came into the game with every expectation of winning. The Bears had a shot to go .500 for the year and 4-3 in Ivy play. But all the ingredients that would make up CU's magical 2017 season boiled to the surface in Providence that day. 

It was a delightful inkling of what was to come.