Crowning Glory

 

The real Class of 1925 Cup is a lot bigger

Columbia 17 Cornell 9

Why Columbia Won

The Lions defense kept the high-powered Big Red offense out of the end zone the entire game. On offense the Columbia running attack, led by a career-best performance by RB Joey Giorgi blended well with a few gutsy passing plays to give Columbia enough points to secure a win in tough windy conditions and clinch a share of the Ivy title for the Lion program for the first time since 1961. 

Why Cornell Lost

The Big Red offense struggled more with the Lion defense than the wind, and QB Jameson Wang was inconsistent as a passer at key moments. Meanwhile, the Cornell defense had no answer for Giorgi and rarely even pressured Columbia's QB's all day.

Key Turning Points

-With no score in the game and 9:46 left in the 1st quarter, the Big Red began their second possession at their own 27 and the wind at their backs. Aided by an absolutely awful roughing the "passer" penalty when Wang was decked after an option toss, Cornell got as far as a 1st and 10 at the Lion 14 when Columbia's defense began to step it up. The Big Red ended up being forced to attempt a 30-year FG that sailed wide right.

-With the game still scoreless and 10:43 left in the 1st half, Columbia took over after a Big Red punt at the Lion 36 and with the wind at their backs this time. A run-heavy drive looked stalled when the Lions faced a 3rd and 8 at the Cornell 27, but on that play starting QB Caleb Sanchez moved left and then threw back right to find RB Griffin Johnson at the 1 yard line. On the next play, Sanchez took it in himself and the Lions had the crucial first score of the game.

-On the ensuing possession, the Big Red executed a beautiful fake punt for a 40 yard gain to the Columbia 31. Two plays later, a Wang run set Cornell up with a 1st and 10 at the Columbia 17. But once again, the Lion defense stiffened. The next three plays resulted in a Wang run for no gain, a Wang pass broken up by CB Carter McCray, and another Wang pass broken up by LB Anthony Roussos. The Big Red ended up having to attempt a FG again, but this time it was good to cut the Lion lead to 7-3 at the half. 

-The 3rd quarter began with a long drive by each team that resulted in no points. But after Cornell turned the ball over on downs at the Lion 24, Columbia had just 1:19 left in the 3rd quarter to work with before losing the wind advantage at the start of the 4th quarter. On 1st and 10, Sanchez uncorked a deep pass that hit WR Ethan Hebb in stride for a 73 yard gain to 3 yard line. Two plays later Giorgi easily strode into the end zone for a 14-3 Lion lead. 

-With the score now 14-6, a bad snap by the Columbia offense led to a Big Red fumble recovery at the Lion 36 and what looked like a massive swing in momentum. Once again, the Columbia defense stepped up and McDonald snagged an interception when Wang threw into double coverage in the end zone and returned it to the Lion 15. Columbia then drove the ball 78 yards to set up a Hugo Merry 25-year FG that essentially iced the game. 

Columbia Positives

-Despite all the injuries to the offensive line, the Lion running game and pass protection was dominant, providing all the tools Columbia needed to amass more than 400 yards of offense in rough weather conditions.

-The defense held a Cornell offense that came into the game averaging 33 points per contest to just 9 points and, in some ways, the Big Red were lucky to get that. 

-In just his second start, the freshman QB Sanchez showed incredible poise and good decision making. It's hard to really gauge his arm abilities based on the two windy condition games in which he's started, but his head is razor sharp.

Columbia Negatives

-The Lions struggled with their snaps all day, and things got worse when they were forced to go to their 3rd string option at center. They were lucky only one turnover resulted from the problem. 

-Columbia continues to frequently bring in a running QB when they get into the red zone, breaking up the good momentum sustained by the regular offensive skill players. 

Columbia MVP

-RB Joey Giorgi had career highs in rushing yards with 165 and carries with 29. He also scored the final TD of the Lion season. It was a great way to close out the 5th year senior's Columbia career.