What Is 2018 Columbia Lions football team

Overview

The 2018 Columbia Lions football team represented Columbia University in the 2018 NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) as members of the Ivy League. It was the program's 136th season of existence and the second under head coach Al Bagnoli, who was hired in 2017 to revitalize the program after years of underperformance.

The Lions showed moderate improvement from their 3–7 record in 2017, finishing the 2018 season with a balanced 5–5 overall record and a 3–4 mark in conference play. While they did not qualify for the FCS playoffs, the season marked continued progress under Bagnoli’s leadership, who aimed to rebuild Columbia’s football reputation.

• Season record: The team finished with a 5–5 overall record, a two-game improvement from the previous year’s 3–7 mark, signaling positive momentum under new leadership.
• Ivy League performance: Columbia went 3–4 in conference play, placing fifth in the Ivy League standings behind champion Yale, which went undefeated in league games.
• Head coach: Al Bagnoli entered his second season as head coach, bringing extensive FCS experience from his 23-year tenure at Penn where he won nine Ivy titles.
• Home stadium: The Lions played home games at Robert K. Kraft Field at Lawrence A. Wien Stadium, a 17,000-seat venue located in Upper Manhattan on the Hudson River.
• Scoring output: Columbia scored 219 total points during the season, averaging 21.9 points per game, while allowing 23.5 points per contest on defense.

Season Performance Breakdown

The 2018 campaign featured a mix of competitive losses and hard-fought wins, reflecting the team’s transitional phase under Bagnoli. While not contending for the Ivy title, the Lions demonstrated resilience in close games and continued development on both sides of the ball.

• Opening game: The Lions opened the season on September 15 with a 34–17 loss to Fordham, struggling to contain the Rams’ rushing attack.
• First win: Columbia earned its first victory on September 22 with a 24–14 win over Wagner, led by a strong defensive performance and two rushing touchdowns.
• Key player: Quarterback Julian Posada started most games, throwing for 1,422 yards and 8 touchdowns, while also rushing for 301 yards.
• Defensive effort: Linebacker Christian Gray led the team with 78 total tackles, showcasing improvement in defensive consistency compared to prior seasons.
• Close losses: The Lions lost four Ivy games by an average of just 7.3 points, indicating they were competitive despite falling short in the standings.
• Final game: Columbia closed the season with a 27–20 loss to Cornell, finishing 5–5 and remaining unranked in national FCS polls.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 2018 season to prior years highlights Columbia’s gradual climb under new leadership. The following table shows key metrics across three recent seasons:

The table illustrates a clear upward trend from 2016 through 2019, with the 2018 season serving as a pivotal step forward. The improvement in win totals and scoring output reflects Bagnoli’s impact in rebuilding team culture and performance.

Why It Matters

The 2018 season was significant not for championships won, but for the foundation it laid for future success at Columbia. As the program continued to adapt to Bagnoli’s system, signs of progress were evident in player development, fan engagement, and competitive balance.

• Program momentum: The 5–5 record was Columbia’s best since 2014 and helped boost recruiting and morale within the program.
• Competitive Ivy games: Despite a losing conference record, the Lions played in six games decided by one possession, showing they could compete with league powers.
• Defensive growth: The defense improved in yards allowed per game, dropping from 404.3 in 2017 to 382.6 in 2018, a sign of tactical refinement.
• Offensive balance: Columbia averaged 338.7 total yards per game, with a nearly even split between rushing and passing, indicating a more versatile attack.
• Recruiting impact: Success on the field in 2018 helped attract higher-rated recruits in subsequent classes, particularly in the Northeast corridor.
• Long-term vision: Bagnoli’s steady rebuild culminated in a 6–4 record in 2019, proving that 2018 was a critical transitional year.

While the 2018 Columbia Lions did not achieve postseason honors, their performance was a necessary step in restoring competitiveness to a historically inconsistent program. The season remains a benchmark in the modern era of Columbia football.