One Last Challenge

 

Pat Passalacqua

Saturday's season finale will also of course be the career finales for the large contingent of Columbia seniors who, for the record have:

1) Overcome COVID cancellations of either their senior years of high school or, for the 5th year seniors, their first year at Columbia

2) Worked under three different head coaches

3) The pain and comedown of a 3-7 2023 season after two straight winning seasons 

4) A ton of injuries, including many that will leave some of them off the field Saturday

4) Unrest on campus and three different university presidents

Of course there are some amazing standout seniors who will be on the field on  offense Saturday to think about, especially starters RB Joey Giorgi, who came back for a 5th year, WR Bryson Canty, OL John Iannuzzi (both Iannuzzi and Canty are sought after post-grad transfers), WR Marcus Libman, and OL Pat Colicchio.

But as they go up against Cornell's potent offense, the senior defensive starters and key contributors will be facing maybe the biggest challenge of their careers in their last game. Despite a slew of injuries, many of those seniors will be on the field Saturday led by Co-Captain DL Pat Passalacqua, LB Anthony Roussos (both he and Passalacqua are 5th years), DL Ben Corniello, DL James Knox, and DB's Aaron Brebnor, Hayden McDonald, and Carter McFadden. Another 5th year standout, LB CJ Brown won't be starting but will hopefully see the field in a limited capacity as he has most of the season. I'm sure all of these guys feel a special responsibility for this game. 

Cornell is virtually tied for first in the Ivies for most points per game at 33 and is a close second in total yards. In recent weeks, the Big Red has turned it up a notch with 49, 49, and 39 points in their last three games.  

Rain has stayed out of the forecast so far, but expect wind to be a factor, which may or may not help the Lion defense; it's just that unpredictable. 

There are a lot of other seniors who will be fully sidelined due to injury, and I'm glad they'll be of course participating in Columbia's great tradition of introducing all the seniors on the field with their families before the game (don't miss that if you do go to the game).