Lionizing Columbia

Penn hasn’t lost to Columbia since this year’s senior class was in the third grade — a streak that goes back 12 games between the two schools.

And the Lions seemingly have not gotten much better, winning only two games last year and placing sixth in the preseason Ivy media poll.

But this year, coach Al Bagnoli and the Quakers think that Columbia poses a real threat. And after it destroyed Princeton, 38-0, two weeks ago, the other Ivies know that they can’t take the Lions lightly.

“With a starter returning at quarterback and some good young players that got some experience last year, we thought they’d be a quality football team,” Bagnoli said. “They’re certainly everything we thought they’d be and probably a little better.”

The Lions offense is the impetus behind its recent success, averaging 28 points per game, best in the Ivy League and 29th in the Football Championship Subdivision. But the multi-dimensionality of that unit stands apart, as the offense can pick up yards on the ground and through the air thanks to multi-year starters at key positions.

Senior Austin Knowlin is the most dangerous weapon on the Columbia roster, and possibly the best athlete in the Ivy League. The four-year starter set the Columbia career receptions record last week with 180. And on special teams he’s just as dangerous. Last year, he was second in the FCS on punt return average and returned two for touchdowns.

Knowlin, however, is far from the Lions’ only offensive weapon. Senior running back Ray Rangel has averaged nearly 100 yards per game, the most in the Ivy League. And yet he’s not the only Lions player whose rushing average per game is top 10 in the Ivies: quarterback M.A. Olawale is 10th.

Olawale is yet another dual-threat quarterback, the third the Quakers have seen this year. He is second in the League in total offense, tallying 167.5 yards per game in the air and averaging 45 on the ground.

All three of these players have at least two years in the starting lineup. Their combined experience is definitely something Penn needs to account for.

“A couple of years ago they played a lot of freshmen and young people, and they have some really good talent and playmakers,” senior defensive end Owen Thomas said. “Now those guys have developed and they’re seniors and juniors that have played in the system a while and they’re hungry. They’ve been beaten up the last couple of years but they’re going to come out firing.”

Fortunately for the Penn defense, they should have senior cornerback Chris Wynn back to defend against the passing game after he missed the Quakers’ past two contests. And he’s not the only returning player, as quarterbacks Keiffer Garton and Kyle Olson look to return to help jump-start the Penn offense. Their return will be crucial if this contest turns into a shoot-out.

The Columbia defense isn’t too shoddy, either. They’ve played well in recent games, shutting out Princeton and keeping it close against Lafayette last week before giving up the go-ahead touchdown with only 13 seconds remaining .

“Their defense plays hard,” junior offensive lineman Jared Mollenbeck said. “They’re undersized at some positions, but they make up for it with their speed, and they just go 100 miles per hour all game … We’re just going to run a smashmouth game, run it right at them.”

Last year, the Lions’ defense came out strong, only allowing the Quakers to gain 204 total yards. Penn’s three scoring drives covered only 15 yards on 17 plays. Luckily, the Quakers’ defense stepped up and got the 15-10 win over the League foe.

So basic fundamentals — running and defense — give Penn the best chance at winning. With the team no longer crippled by injuries and with six straight Ivy contests looming, the Quakers’ run at the League title begins this week.

Because, as Princeton found out and the rest of the League now knows, a win against Columbia is no longer a “gimme.”

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