Bulldogs Aim for Fifth Straight Win Against Struggling Lions

The Yale Bulldogs will host the Columbia Lions at the Yale Bowl this weekend, hoping to extend the Lions’ losing streak to five games. The match is part of Yale’s three-game homestand and follows two impressive victories for the Bulldogs, including a commanding 40-point win over Stonehill and a 22-point victory against Penn.

In contrast, Columbia enters the game eager for a win after suffering a discouraging 49-3 loss to Dartmouth. The Lions have not secured a victory since their season opener, and their struggles on offense have been a significant factor in their recent performances. Throughout the season, Columbia has used five different quarterbacks, with Chase Goodwin and Caleb Sanchez sharing most of the responsibilities. Together, they have accumulated around 900 yards but have only managed to complete about half of their passes.

Columbia’s running game has also faltered, averaging less than 100 rushing yards per game and scoring just three rushing touchdowns this year. Head coach Jon Poppe expressed frustration after the Dartmouth loss, acknowledging that early mistakes contributed to the team’s inability to compete effectively. “I’ve never walked off a field and felt the way I do right now,” Poppe stated. “We gave them 21 points early and just weren’t able to respond with enough consistent execution.”

Yale’s defense, known for its strength, will present a formidable challenge for Columbia. The Bulldogs have excelled at forcing turnovers and maintaining pressure on opposing offenses. Key defensive players such as Abu Kamara, Ezekiel Larry, and Inumidun Ayo-Durojaiye are expected to play crucial roles in disrupting the Lions’ attack. Sophomore defensive lineman Mack Johnson emphasized the importance of teamwork, stating, “When everyone does their job, it lets our guys go make big plays and take control of ballgames.”

As the Bulldogs aim to build on their recent momentum, they will also look to refine their offensive strategy. Earlier in the season, Yale’s offense faced challenges in sustaining drives and scoring effectively. The upcoming game against Columbia provides an opportunity for the Bulldogs to fine-tune their performance before heading into a tough final stretch, which includes road games against Brown and Princeton, followed by a highly anticipated matchup against Harvard, ranked 15th in the nation.

Quarterback Dante Reno has shown significant improvement, throwing for a combined 480 yards and four touchdowns in his last two games while completing 70 percent of his passes. His developing chemistry with key receivers Jaxton Santiago and Nico Brown will be vital. Santiago has expressed enthusiasm about the team’s progress, stating, “Building a connection with Dante, and just as an offense as a whole, has been awesome.”

Kickoff is scheduled for noon on Saturday at the Yale Bowl, where the Bulldogs will seek to secure another victory and bolster their confidence as the season approaches its climax.