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Columbia’s Defense Leads To Homecoming Win Against Dartmouth

Courtesy: Columbia University Athletics/Mike McLaughlin

Courtesy: Columbia University Athletics/Mike McLaughlin

 

Homecoming games usually bring out the best in a football team. Columbia’s defense rose to the homecoming festivities and help lead the Lions to a 9-7 victory over Dartmouth. The game was sloppy at times due to the rain and heavy winds but Columbia’s defense stepped up play after play throughout the entire game. Dartmouth  was held to 1-17 on third downs. Not being able to convert on 3rd downs, made the game more of a chess match. Neither teams offense could do enough to pull away. 

Place Kickers Matter 

Oren Milstein, a freshman who earlier this season set a school record for field goals in a game with five, was good from 31, 20, and 33 yards — but missed on a 38-yard attempt in the fourth quarter. He’s hit on 9 of 10 attempts this season.  Oren Milstein was named the John Toner Homecoming Player of the Game.

Alan Watson rushed for 74 yards on 17 carries for the Lions (2-4, 1-2 Ivy). Anders Hill completed 12 of 25 passes for 123 yards.

For Dartmouth, Heneghan completed 13 of 38 passes for 242 yards and a touchdown. Hagdorn caught three passes for 114 yards and his 65-yard touchdown reception. Folarin Orimolade led the Big Green with 10 total tackles.

The Lions Defense Reign Supreme

 The Lions defensive fingerprints were all over this game. Senior safety Brock Kenyon picked off his second pass of the year, batted away two passes and finished with eight tackles, freshmen defensive linemen  Daniel DeLorenzi and  Micheal Geraghty both registered big play sacks and the Lions totaled eight pass deflections and 5.0 tackles for loss for 18 yards. Senior  Gianmarco Rea led the Lions with 11 tackles.

Streaks Are Meant To Be Snapped

The victory marked Columbia’s first Ivy League win of the year, matched its 2015 victory total of two and erased a 15-game losing streak in Homecoming games dating back to the 2000 season. Columbia improved to 2-4 on the year and 1-2 in Ivy League play, while Dartmouth dropped to 3-3 overall and 0-3 in the Ivy League.

Up next for the Lions will be a home game  against Yale on Friday night at 7 p.m.

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