Columbia Defense Returns to 2006 Form, Forcing Turnovers

In most aspects Columbia’s defense this year looks nothing like the unit that was second in the Ivy League in scoring defense last season. In each of the first two games, the Lions’ opponent has rushed for over 250 yards on the ground—something no one did against Columbia last year. In addition, the defense lost three All-Ivy players and three other starters. Yet in Saturday’s game against Marist, the defense did one thing that last year’s unit was known for—forcing game-changing turnovers.

Last season the Lions were 5-1 when they forced more turnovers than their opponents and 0-4 when they didn’t. Not only did the Lions force 24 turnovers last season, but six of them also ended up as defensive touchdowns. Turnovers often represented the turning point in a game. Against Fordham, while the offense sputtered, the defense had two touchdowns. Against Georgetown the Lions stopped a late Hoya rally with a late interception. This was a theme throughout the year, as turnovers also helped to decide their two Ivy victories—over Cornell and Brown.

It was the momentum-changing turnover that catapulted the Lions to a 5-5 season last year and that led them to their resounding 31-7 win over the Red Foxes.

“I think the difference in the game was the turnovers,” Columbia head coach Norries Wilson said. “I think that Marist had a fantastic plan. I think if they didn’t have to throw the ball they wouldn’t have.”

Marist seized the momentum right out of the gate and drove the ball deep into Columbia territory. Most impressively, not only did the Red Foxes run on every single play, but they also often ran the same play over and over effectively. But on fourth and inches Marist fumbled, and sophomore Andy Shalbrack picked it up to give the Lions the ball. After coming out with such a strong opening, the Red Foxes, after the fumble, never went as deep into Lions territory for the remainder of the half. While they ran effectively, the turnover spoiled their momentum.

A second blow was delivered late in the first half when Columbia junior Clark Koury picked off senior quarterback Stephen McGrath. The Red Fox defense had just forced Columbia to go three and out and had a chance to tie it up before the half before the interception. The Lions took advantage and drove down to set up a 24-yard field goal to take a 10-0 lead into halftime.

The Columbia defense delivered a lethal blow when Koury snagged another interception early in the fourth quarter. With the score at 17-0, Marist scored a touchdown and its defense forced a three and out to give the team a chance to cut into the lead again. The Red Fox offense drove into Columbia territory before turning the ball over on downs. But after forcing another three and out, the offense was set again to start the fourth quarter and try to get within a field goal until Koury picked off his second pass of the day at the Marist 43.

Junior Jordan Davis responded by promptly taking two plays to get the Lions into the end zone, essentially ending the game by giving the Lions a 17-point lead with only 13 minutes left. Marist head coach Jim Parady said these late-game momentum changes were pivotal.

“Both teams played extremely hard in some conditions we didn’t really expect with the rain, and in the end the momentum changed a couple times, and we couldn’t stop the momentum,” Parady said.

While the Lions had many factors for their victory, it was the three turnovers they forced that gave them the momentum and catapulted them to their first win of the season.