on a day that texas a & m hurled alabama from the heights of college football supremacy, america turned its eyes to wien stadium where columbia’s lions looked to bounce back from a historic, 69 -0, ass whipping administered by the criminally effective harvard cantabridgians and humble ezra cornell’s crew in the battle for the vaunted empire state cup, symbolic of dominance in ivy league football in new york state. the lions roared back from a 17 – 7 first half deficit to lay low the ithacans 34 – 17 behind sean brackett’s three td tosses and marcorus garrett’s 186 yards rushing. the win moved the boys’ record to 3 – 6 overall and delighted a jubilant crowd of 5,620 as coach mangurian’s crew continued to draw fans to the edge of the spuyten duyvil despite a 38th losing season in 41 years. things are looking up as the season winds down and a heretofore elusive road win (versus brown in providence) would be icing on a somewhat tasteless cake.
to perfect the day’s pleasures, coach kyle smith’s lion five journeyed to south carolina where they demolished the furman paladins 68 – 47 in the return to our heart’s home, the columbia men’s basketball schedule. brian barbour led the boys per usual but was well aided by steve frankoski, back after a year’s absence, and sophomore alex (the doctor) rosenberg. they return home for a tuesday tangle with div iii haverford before hosting the marist red foxes (whom they owe a mighty thrashing in payback for a streak ending loss last december in poughkeepsie). your devoted scribe will be in the stands at levien next saturday evening to personally take stock of the newest (and still impeccable) version of the lions hoopsters and apprise you all of the excitements to be anticipated over the next four months. patience but a little longer!
d up, peace out,
paulie b