Fresh off of a win against Central Connecticut State, the Lions crush the Quakers 23-14.

President Bollinger and Patriots CEO Robert Kraft both made appearances on the sidelines Saturday afternoon to watch the Columbia Lions (4-1) and the University of Pennsylvania Quakers (2-3) face off. Running Back Dante Miller took home the John Toner Homecoming Player of the Game award after a huge 41-yard run and 75-yard rushing touchdown led him to a career-high 187 rushing yards. Columbia’s Defense had an excellent day as well and held the Quakers to only 83 passing yards and 267 total yards.

Columbia’s first drive ended with a punt that landed out of bounds at the PEN15 (haha funny). Penn (state) picked up their drive and were similarly unable to convert a touchdown. The Lions received the Quaker punt and marched down the field only to be held to the Penn 14 yard line where Kicker Alex Felkins put the ball up for a field goal just three minutes before the end of the first quarter. As the first quarter ended 3-0 in favor of Columbia, it was clear the two teams were matched defensively and the game would be relatively low scoring. 

The second quarter was by far the most eventful quarter of the game. Columbia did its best to charge down the field for nearly five minutes only to miss a long 44-yard field goal. Penn was held to just three plays after a sack by Defensive Lineman Paul Akere on third down forced Penn to punt. A muffed punt by Wide Receiver Mike Roussos set the Quakers up only 30 yards from the end zone, and Penn took advantage of their opportunity. The Quakers went up 7-3 and led the scoreline for the last time in the game. On the first play of their next drive, the Lions handed the ball to Dante Miller who ran all the way down the field for a 75-yard touchdown. Felkins’ extra point was good and Columbia led 10-7. When a player pushes or forces another player on their back or butt, they are pancaking someone. During Penn’s next drive Defensive Jordan Colbert pancaked Quaker Offensive Lineman Travis Spreen—someone nearly 100 pounds heavier than him. Colbert’s pancake showed exactly how the game was going for Penn who were forced to punt by the Lion defense two plays later. After a two-yard run from Miller, Quarterback Joe Greene threw the ball to Wide Receiver Wills Meyer for a 41-yard passing touchdown to give the Lions a 17-7 lead. Beautiful coverage by Defensive Back Bryan Bell-Anderson was misguidedly called pass interference by the referees on third and ten and the Quakers were given a much-needed second chance. Penn scored three plays later, and the half ended.

Halftime Score: 17-14 Columbia

The remaining half was far calmer than the second quarter alone. The Lions scored field goals in the third and fourth quarter to put themselves up 23-14. Penn quickly ran out of steam after excellent cornerback coverage kept them from executing their second half game plan. The Quakers were unable to score due to superb coverage and run defense. In fact, Penn punted the ball five times and turned the ball over twice in the final half. Stellar Columbia defense kept the Quakers silent and helped the Lions to a homecoming victory. 

Final Score: 23-14 Columbia 

After defeating Penn (state), Columbia stands 1-1 in conference play and will head to Ivy League Conference Co-Leader Dartmouth (5-0) on Friday. The Lions will face a huge test as football is, apparently, the only thing Dartmouth is decent at.

calm before the storm via mclt