Football Begins Preseason Practice

NEW YORK—Patricia and Shepard Alexander Head Coach of Football Al Bagnoli and the Columbia Football team opened its 2018 season with its first practice Saturday afternoon at Robert K. Kraft Field at Lawrence A. Wien Stadium. It is the first of 24 preseason practices before Columbia opens its 2018 season on Saturday, Sept. 15 at Central Connecticut State (5 p.m.). The Lions underwent a two-hour afternoon practice which included skill drills, special teams, position group work and 11-on-11 offense vs. defense drills. Following practice, players attended team, special teams and unit/position meetings. All practices are open to the public. Click here for a complete schedule of Columbia's preseason practices. A full schedule of preseason practices is listed at this link. The Lions practiced in shorts, jerseys and helmets. Temperatures were in the low 90s with sunny skies until a storm moved into the area toward the end of practice. Columbia will practice in pads for the first time on Wednesday, August 22. Columbia's first-year class underwent its first collegiate practice. For the second consecutive season, will host Montclair State in a preseason scrimmage at Robert K. Kraft Field on Friday, August 31 at noon. Admission is free and open to the public. Columbia returns 15 of 22 starters and six All-Ivy League selections from a program that recorded its best season in 21 years. Last year, Columbia posted an 8-2 record, finished second in the Ivy League with a 5-2 record, began a season with six straight wins for the first time since 1996, put together the school's longest win streak since 1935 (seven games) and posted one of the nation's top-five best yearly comebacks in the FCS with a with a five-win improvement from 2016 to 2017. Along the way, it was the Lions' resiliency, toughness and work ethic that captured the attention of their fans, the New York City media and national media members alike. Football season tickets, single-game tickets and 2018-19 True Blue ticket packages remain on sale! Click here or call 888-LIONS-11 to purchase your football single-game tickets, season tickets or True Blue package today! PRACTICE DAY ONE NEWS & NOTES *Fifth-year seniors Landon Baty and Markham Paukune practiced for the first time since 2017. The duo will both serve as team captains. *Several Columbia players are now wearing different numbers. Here is the list: Sophomore Will Allen is now wearing No. 2. First-year wide receiver Mozes Mooney is now wearing No. 7. Sophomore quarterback Josh Bean is now wearing No. 9, though he wore his previous No. 17 for the entire Saturday practice. First-year quarterback John Foreback is now wearing No. 17. First-year defensive back Mitchell Sturgil is wearing No. 18. First-year defensive back Derric Lee is now wearing No. 22. First-year defensive back Ryan Rhoden is now wearing No. 28. First-year defensive back Mike Fluegel is now wearing No. 32. First-year linebacker John Harris is now wearing No. 34 First-year linebacker Marquis Hubbard is now wearing No. 52. *First-year John Harris switched positions from running back to linebacker.