As of this writing, Columbia has lost 24 consecutive games, which means the Lions are still two seasons away from its infamous 44-game streak from 1983-88. But with former Penn legend Al Bagnoli now coaching the Lions, there's little change they'll get within sniffing distance of that streak, especial after a couple of tough-but-close losses this season.
The 44-game streak began on Nov. 12, 1983, with a 31-6 loss to Cornell, but Columbia had already gone winless in its last three games, thanks to a loss sandwiched between two ties (remember those?). The Lions finished 1-7-2 that year, followed by 0-9, 0-10, 0-10, 0-10 and 2-8 in 1988. After defeating Yale 21-18 on Oct. 15, 1983, Columbia's next win came five years, 47 games and three coaches later.
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| Columbia's 44-game losing streak began against Cornell in 1983. |
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| Columbia quarterback John Witkowski leads the Lions over Yale in '83 --- their last win for five years. More than three decades later, Witkowski remains the Lions' career leader in passing yards, touchdowns completion and total offense. |
As it did in the 1970s (see links below), Columbia tore through a number of uniform styles in the '80s, with several year-to-year changes. The '83 road jersey, which lasted only one year, above resembles a Mesozoic version of the Tennessee Titans-esque 2003-05 jersey. The home shirt had been worn since 1980.
In '84, another overhaul was made, with crowns adorning the shoulders -- another one-year style.
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