Ferraro's Feats: Part 5

This is the fifth installment of the 10 greatest defensive performances for the Lions during Paul Ferraro's tenure as defensive coordinator. Ferraro announced his retirement earlier this month.

#3: Columbia 17 Yale 7 (2015)

Head Coach Al Bagnoli's first Ivy League win as the coach of the Lions came at the Yale Bowl, just a short walk from where he grew up.  

The week before, the Lions almost shocked the Ivy world with a fantastic defensive effort at eventual league champion Dartmouth in a close loss. 

This time, Columbia wouldn't allow an offensive score as the only Eli dent on the scoreboard came via an early punt return for a TD. 

The stat sheet is still unbelievable. The Lions allowed just five Yale 1st downs, held the Bulldogs to -14 yards rushing, and sacked Yale QB's six times. 

On offense, Columbia got a gutty performance from QB (and current Lion QB coach) Skyler Mornhinweg and a shocking fake FG run for a TD by current Atlanta Falcons punter Cameron Nizialek. 

The Lions haven't won at the Bowl since. 

Shock Therapy

Paul Rice

It's been 12 1/2 years since Columbia's devastating 23-22 loss to Yale at Wien Stadium on Nov. 2, 2009. 

Of the many losses I've suffered as a Columbia fan, broadcaster, and blogger, this is very close to being the toughest. It was definitely the most painful loss during my three years as the color commentator for the Lions along with play-by-play man Jerry Recco. In what could have been an impressive win over the Elis in QB Sean Brackett's debut as a starter, the Lions found a way to squander opportunities and let it slip away. 

One of the most important plays in the game for Yale came courtesy of LB Paul Rice who knocked the ball out of CU RB Zack Korouma's hands at the Bulldog 1 yard line, killing what looked like a sure scoring opportunity. 

I can't be sure this latest news will help erase the pain of that loss completely, but I'm happy to say that Rice is now Columbia's new linebackers and special teams coach. Rice is replacing Justin Stovall, who is now the Lions defensive coordinator. 

Rice has been coaching since 2012, with stints at Georgia Tech, his alma mater in New Haven, and since 2018 at Fordham.  

If he can teach Columbia's linebackers how to jar balls loose from opponents inside the Lion 5-yard line... I'll take it! 

AND... Welcome Coach West!

Also joining the Lions staff as the new defensive line coach is Chris West. West comes to us after two years at Delta State,