Columbia football player Justin Townsend has been named Ivy League Defensive Player of the Week, according to an announcement from the conference office on Monday. Townsend achieved this recognition after becoming Columbia’s all-time leader in sacks and playing a key role in the team’s 29-12 win over Cornell.
In Saturday’s game, Townsend recorded 2.5 sacks in the second half, bringing his career total to 23 and surpassing the previous school record set in 2019. One of his sacks resulted in a forced fumble that led to a Columbia touchdown during the fourth quarter. Townsend finished with four tackles and contributed to holding Cornell to just 88 rushing yards.
Townsend is the second Columbia player this season to earn an Ivy League Weekly Award. Michael Walters received Rookie of the Week honors on November 17. Townsend is also the first defensive player from Columbia to be recognized as Defensive Player of the Week since Hayden McDonald on October 7, 2024.
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