Conference Independent Head coach George Sanford | 1901 record 8–5 Captain Chauncey L. Berrien | |
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The 1901 Columbia Lions football team represented Columbia University in the 1901 college football season. They finished with a 8–5 record. "In Weekes, Morley, and Berrien, Columbia has a trio that is equalled by no other college this year."
Contents
Preseason
Morley resigned as captain and Chauncey L. Berrien took his place.
Week 1: at Buffalo
On the eve of the first game with Buffalo, the faculty announced a number of leading players were forbidden to play.
Week 4: at Harvard
In "the first big football battle of the season," Columbia lost to Harvard 18 to 0. Captain Berrien had been prevented from playing by Columbia faculty.
Week 6: at Yale
Columbia gave Yale one of its hardest games of the season in a 10 to 5 loss, holding the Bulldogs scoreless in the first half.
Week 8: Penn
Columbia defeat Penn 10 to 0, its first victory over Penn since the school instituted a coaching system, and its second ever.
Week 13: Carlisle
Columbia rolled up its largest score of the season, defeating the Carlisle Indians 40 to 12. It was 40 to 0 until the final five minutes. Starring in the contest was Columbia's backfield of Bill Morley, Harold Weekes, Dick Smith, and Chauncey L. Berrien.
Postseason
In his review of the 1901 football season, Charles Edward Patterson wrote: "Morley, stocky, muscular, not to be denied his two yards help or no help (and three times two means six, or a first down, you know!) able to repeat indefinitely, the best interferer in present day football, a forty yard punter and a drop-kicker who can actually score."