OPENING DRIVE
• Columbia dropped its second straight game at home after a 26-8 defeat to Yale last Saturday.
• Harvard comes into this weekend’s matchup ranked No. 22 in the AFCA Coaches Poll and No. 19 in the StatsPerform Media Poll.
• Wide receiver Bryce Coleman set program first-year records for most receiving yards (637) and receptions (51). Coleman was named Ivy League Rookie of the Week for the fourth consecutive week and fifth time overall.
A WIN WOULD…
• Tie Columbia’s program record with its fourth road win of the season. The Lions previously won four away games in 2017, 1996, 1961 and 1899.
• Be the first win over a ranked opponent since September 21, 2024, when the Lions topped No. 14/18 Lafayette, 31-20.
• The first road win against a ranked team since a 19-0 shutout against No. 25/NR Dartmouth on October 22, 2021.
YALE LEFTOVERS
• After an even first quarter, a roughing-the-kicker penalty and a flag for unsportsmanlike conduct after a Yale punt spurred three scores (touchdown, safety, touchdown) in a span of just over three minutes to put the Bulldogs in control.
• The Lions were held to a season-low 34 rushing yards in the game.
• Charlie Newton led the defense with 13 tackles.
HARVARD’S STATUS
• Harvard enters the matchup 6-1 through its first seven games of the season. The Crimson are averaging 26.4 points and 380.6 total yards per game, ranking third in the Ivy League in scoring offense and fourth in total offense.
• Harvard’s offense is averaging 252.3 passing yards and 128.3 rushing yards per game. Quarterback Charlie Smith has thrown for 1,730 yards and 14 touchdowns, leading the Ivy League in completion percentage (70.7%) and passing efficiency (147.8). Nathan Bailey leads the receiving corps with 7.57 receptions per game, ranking first in the Ivy League and second nationally.
• Harvard’s defense is allowing 14.4 points and 282.0 yards per game, ranking first in the Ivy League and fourth nationally in both scoring defense and total defense. The Crimson lead the nation in passing yards allowed (141.9) and interceptions (14). Xaden Benson leads the nation with 1.29 interceptions and 2.00 passes defended per game, while Dorsey Benefield leads the team with 8.0 tackles per game.
• On special teams, Kieran Corr averages 1.33 field goals per game, ranking first in the Ivy League and 16th nationally. Corr has converted 72.7% of his field goal attempts, ranking second in the conference. Harvard also leads the Ivy League in punt return average (13.33 yards) but ranks eighth in kickoff return average (9.80 yards).
A LOOK BACK…
Columbia fell to the Crimson, 31-14, last season at home. The Lions scored twice in the fourth quarter but were unable to overcome the early lead established by Harvard. Columbia opened the game with an 18-play, 65-yard drive that came up empty after Hugo Merry missed a field goal from 28 yards out. Harvard responded by driving 80 yards down the field to take a 7-0 lead with 2:36 left in the first quarter. The Crimson offense exploded for three touchdowns in the second quarter to head into halftime with a 28-0 advantage. Harvard added a field goal in the third quarter to go up by 31 points.
The Columbia defense settled in for the remainder of the third quarter and into the fourth to keep Harvard off the scoreboard for the remainder of the game. The Lions got on the scoreboard for the first time early in the fourth quarter. Chase Goodwin connected with Titus Evans in the endzone at the 13:19 mark. Goodwin found Evans in the endzone again with 1:49 remaining in the fourth quarter.
SERIES HISTORY
• Saturday marks the 84th meeting between Columbia and Harvard all-time. The series started in 1877 with an 8-0 Harvard win.
• Columbia trails Harvard 66-16-1 in the series after a 31-14 loss at Wien Stadium in 2025.
• Saturday will be the 43rd game of the series played in Cambridge.
COLUMBIA VS. RANKED OPPONENTS
Columbia is 6-65 all-time against top-25 teams. The Lions’ last win against a ranked team was a 31-20 victory over No. 14/18 Lafayette on September 21, 2024. Columbia’s last road win over a ranked team was a 19-0 win at No. 25 Dartmouth on October 21, 2021.
COLUMBIA/HARVARD CONNECTIONS
• Columbia head coach Jon Poppe had two stints as an assistant coach at Harvard from 2011–14 and 2017–22, coaching the secondary and special teams.
• The Lions’ offensive coordinator Seitu Smith was a wide receiver and return specialist at Harvard, where he graduated in 2015.
• Columbia’s quarterbacks coach Chris Batti served as the Crimson’s running backs coach from 2012-17.
FOLLOW THE LIONS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
For the latest on the Columbia football team, follow @CULionsFB on X, Instagram, Facebook and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
Source: gocolumbialions.com
