Looking Ahead

Fordham and coach Tom Masella are just 6 days away from their opener (CREDIT: Fordham Athletics)

A number of Columbia fans got a look at the week 2 opponent Towson in the Tigers' opener at Navy yesterday. Despite the blowout win for the Midshipmen, the Lion followers are worried about Towson's QB and his quick release short passing game. We will keep out eye on them the next few weeks of course.

Meanwhile, Fordham's week two opponent Dayton got its season underway this afternoon. The Flyers crushed Central State University 31-12 and now get the next week off before hosting the Rams.

Fordham starts its season this Saturday night against the University of Rhode Island at Jack Coffey Field in The Bronx. The Rams first team was reportedly unstoppable in its scrimmage against Wagner late last week.

Football is never easy folks.


Game of the Day (Day 20)

November 19, 1988

Columbia 31 Brown 13


After Columbia finally ended its record losing streak in week 4 of the 1988 season, not many pundits thought the Lions were going to win too many games after that. And they looked like they were right after five more losses, (only one of which was close).

But Brown came into the season finale at Wien Stadium with an 0-8-1 record and not looking very tough. If the Lions couldn't win this one, then the streak-breaking win over Princeton was surely a major fluke.

The Lions at least proved that their tailback tandem of Greg Abbruzzese and Solomon Johnson were a force to be reckoned with. They led the way as Columbia racked up 444 yards rushing in a 31-13 rout that had Lions fans counting the days until next season.

Abbruzzese had 17 carries for 198 yards and two touchdowns. Johnson had 145 yards on 14 carries and one TD. With an offensive line filled with seniors, Columbia's QB Chris Della Pietra only had to throw 10 times.

The 2-8 final record wasn't exactly stellar. Yet the team's future looked great led by the then-sophomores Abbruzzese and Johnson. And then it all came crashing down after injuries to both players dashed the hopes going into the 1989 season.

But on that November day in 1988, no one could know that was going to happen. So it was smiles all around.