Ferraro's Feats Part 3

The Lions sideline erupts after the 2017 win at Memorial Field

This is the third 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

#6 Columbia 22 Dartmouth 17 (2017)

The Lions shut the powerful Dartmouth defense out in the 1st half, and then survived a furious Big Green rally at the end of the game to win a matchup between two 5-0 teams in Hanover. 

The win was secured by a sack from Mike Hinton on the final play of the game, that became the final play because of an errant toss of the ball back to the refs by Dartmouth QB Jack Heneghan that took precious seconds off the clock. 

A closer look at the total stats of the game, especially 1st downs, rushing yards, and passing yards, shows that the Lions didn't exactly shut down the Dartmouth attack. But when it counted, Columbia didn't break. That was best exemplified by the Big Green's 0-for-9 3rd down conversion numbers.

The Lions secondary stood out in this "bend but don't break" form of execution as DB's Landon Baty and Ryan Gilbert shared the team lead in tackles with 12 apiece. 

The win left the Lions at 6-0 and in sole possession of first place in the league. 

#5 Columbia 24 Brown 6 (2017)

Columbia was never really challenged in this game, thanks to a defensive effort that held the Bears to just 61 yards rushing and three consecutive 3-and-out offensive possessions to start the game. 

The tone of the game was set early in the 1st quarter when QB Anders Hill coughed up the ball at the Lion 46 on a fumble Brown recovered at the CU 46. But three plays yielded just two yards and the Bears wouldn't cross the midfield mark on an offensive drive of their own until the next quarter. 

The win closed out the 8-2 2017 season for the Lions.

Ferraro's Feats Part 2

Landon Baty #6

This is the second 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

#8 Columbia 17 Yale 10 (2018)

On a cold and rainy day on Kraft Field, the Lions held the potent Yale offense to just 10 points. The defensive effort was led by the secondary, which picked off two passes including a very acrobatic interception from Landon Baty early in the 2nd half.

The Lions needed all the help they could get from the defense, as they were down to their 3rd and 4th string QB's in the game. 

For those who consider the punting game part of the defense, Drew Schmid was also a defensive star as he consistently fought the weather conditions and pinned the Elis back time after time. 

#7 Dartmouth 13 Columbia 9 (2015)

Columbia came shockingly close to defeating the eventual Ivy champs at Memorial Field, thanks to an inspiring defensive effort that rattled Dartmouth star QB Dalyn Williams and the Big Green running attack. The Lions also netted six sacks against the premier offensive line in the league. 

Dartmouth fans will point out that much of their offensive punch was stymied by a bevvy of penalties called against them, especially the multiple personal foul calls against a frustrated Williams who was obviously being provoked by the Columbia defenders all day. 

The game sent a message to the rest of the league that the Lions were fighters once again.

 

More Coaching Changes

Mike DeFazio '06, who has been working as the Lions director of recruiting and player personnel, is leaving Columbia to take on the head coaching position at Ramapo High School.

Mike was a very popular figure on the recruiting trail and in his interactions with the families of new commits. So there needs to be a priority placed on replacing him with someone who can keep everyone engaged and connected to the program.  

BREAKING: Stovall Elevated to DC

Justin Stovall, who has done a stellar job at the Lions linebackers and special teams coach for several years, has taken the defensive coordinator position just vacated by Paul Ferraro. 

This is a great opportunity for a still young coach to make a bigger mark on this program. 

Ferraro's Feats Part I

 Top 10 Lion Defensive Performances Under Paul Ferraro

#10:  Columbia 9 Dartmouth 7 (2016)

On a rainy and dreary Homecoming Saturday at Wien Stadium, the 1-4 Lions met up with the defending Ivy champion and 3-2 Dartmouth Big Green. 2016 was the last real rebuilding season in Hanover for a program that's been reloading ever since, so Columbia came in feeling it had a chance. 

In what was just his fourth game as the Lions #1 QB, Anders Hill put together a decent performance but still finished with a sub-.500 completion percentage and did not lead the team to any TD's. 

Luckily, Columbia's defense stepped up. It allowed Dartmouth just 74 rushing yards. 14 1st downs, bagged two sacks, and intercepted Dartmouth QB Jack Heneghan once. 

But the sheer weight of holding up the entire team on a day when the offense wasn't clicking started to show its ill effects as the game wound down. Dartmouth's final drive of the day began at its one 1 yard line, and the Big Green started moving steadily until they reached the CU 30 with about 40 seconds left. That's when the Lion defense stiffened again and it allowed not a single yard more, forcing a desperation 47-yard field goal attempt that was on target, but fell about a yard short of the crossbar. Columbia's 9-7 win was preserved. 

#9 Columbia 23 Brown 17 (2021)

The Lions held Brown's juggernaut offense to a tie for its season-low in points scored. It also pushed star QB E.J. Perry's passing yards total to 79 yards below his season's average, sacked him three times, and intercepted him once.

While bad weather impeded some of the Bears' offensive abilities, it was not a major reason for the bad Brown numbers or its three turnovers. 

Chronologically, this will go down as the last great defensive performance for the Lions under Ferraro.