The Yale Bulldogs host the Columbia Lions on Saturday at The Bowl. Kickoff is slated for noon and the game will air on ESPN+.
Columbia enters the contest with a 1-5 record (0-3 Ivy) in what has been a disappointing season for the defending champions. Last week, the Big Green routed the Lions in a 49-3 victory in Hanover that was essentially over by halftime. The Lions will be playing angrily after the embarrassing loss and Poppe would love to keep his undefeated streak against Reno intact. Despite the championship ring on his finger, Poppe still must prove that he can win with his own roster and not Bagnoli’s roster.
Sophomore QB Caleb Sanchez (6’4”, 220 lbs.) has led Columbia’s offense over the last few weeks after an injury to junior QB Chase Goodwin (6’2”, 215 lbs.) in the Princeton contest. Sanchez has struggled with accuracy, completing just 50.7% of his passes for 411 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. Freshman RB Michael Walters (6’2”, 225 lbs.) has been a bright spot for the Lions as the Connecticut product has racked up 4.4 yards per carry on the season. Junior RB Griffin Johnson (5’11”, 200 lbs.) has also performed well in the rushing attack with 4.0 yards per carry and a touchdown. The receiving corps is led by junior WR Titus Evans (6’2”, 200 lbs.) who averages an impressive 14.5 yards per reception. Sophomore WR Hutch Crow (6’1”, 195 lbs.) leads the Lions in receiving touchdowns with 3 on the season. Junior TE Braden Dougherty (6’5”, 250 lbs.) is a solid run blocker and pass catcher who earned Honorable Mention All-Ivy status in 2024. The offensive line averages 302.0 lbs. across the board and features two returning starters from 2024. Senior OL Noah Jordan (6’5”, 315 lbs.) is the leader of the unit and was a 2nd Team All-Ivy offensive lineman in 2024. Columbia’s offensive line has not lived up to expectations as they have paved the way for just 3.1 yards per carry and have allowed 13 sacks on the season. The key for the Bulldogs this week is to force the Lions into 3rd down scenarios as Columbia has converted on just 30.9% of 3rd down attempts this season. As Dartmouth showed last week, winning battles at the line of scrimmage and flustering Sanchez can completely derail Columbia’s offensive strategy.
Columbia’s defense is a notch below what we saw from them in 2024 which is great news for the Elis as Yale’s offense was completely inept in last season’s contest. Senior LB Jack Smiechowski (6’1”, 205 lbs.) is a returning starter from 2024 and leads the Lions with 52 tackles, a sack and 3 interceptions. Junior LB Charlie Newton (6’3”, 235 lbs.) has seen action since his freshman season and has played well with 38 tackles and an interception. Sophomore DB Caleb Solomon (6’1”, 200 lbs.) has excelled in his first season as a starter with 48 tackles and an interception. Sophomore DB Carter McCray (6’0”, 185 lbs.) was an Honorable Mention All-Ivy defensive back as a freshman and has built on that momentum this season with 26 tackles. Senior DL Joshua Powell (6’3”, 250 lbs.) has proven difficult to block with 23 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and a sack. Senior DL Justin Townsend (6’2”, 265 lbs.) has been a pass rushing nightmare since his sophomore season and has racked up 4 sacks on the season so far. Sophomore DL Keller Patterson (6’1”, 285 lbs.) is a talented young defensive tackle coming off a 4 tackle performance at Dartmouth last week. Opponents have averaged 4.2 yards per carry, so unleashing Pitsenberger and Daal in the ground attack will be crucial. Our offensive line will need to focus on getting hands on linebackers both in the ground game and in pass protection on blitzes. Columbia might have the best pass rushers the Bulldogs have faced to date, so protecting Reno and making sure he is not absorbing hard hits is critical.
Junior K Hugo Merry (6’3”, 195 lbs.) has not missed a field goal all season but has not attempted a field goal beyond 30 yards. Sophomore P Tommy Sleeman (6’2”, 220 lbs.) is averaging 42.5 yards per punt and has placed 6 punts inside the redzone. Senior WR Cobe Crews (6’3”, 200 lbs.) is a shifty kick returner who can go the distance with a season long return of 41 yards.
Go Bulldogs! Beat the Lions!
6 replies on “Columbia Preview”
Off to the game
One Yale consistency, defensive pass interference
We’re letting Columbia hang around. That’s what happened last year.
I can see this one slipping away. No one is taking this game seriously.
Thought Yale played decent. Ran the ball really well and completed some big passes. Loved that they killed the last seven minutes, never giving the ball back to C after their FG. In fact, Yale’s last two drives both killed about 7 minutes.
Defense has been great. 13 points last week, 10 today. can’t ask for much more.
Mistake. Yale’s last two drives were not both around 7 minutes.