PRINCETON, N.J. - Columbia junior linebacker Zach Olinger has been selected as the Ivy League and ECAC Defensive Player of the Week, following Columbia's 10-9 victory over Marist Saturday.

In Columbia's season-opening win over Marist, Olinger recorded 10 total tackles (six solo), a forced fumble and an interception.  With Columbia leading 10-3 and Marist with a first and goal on the Columbia one-yard line, Olinger hit Calvin McCoy to jar the ball loose. Teammate Josh Martin jumped on the ball to preserve the lead for Columbia.

With the score 10-9 late in the fourth quarter, Olinger again came up big again, intercepting a tipped pass to give Columbia the ball back with the opportunity to run out the clock.

Olinger added a sack and two tackles for loss to his stat line to headline a Columbia defense that played well in the 2012 opener.

Columbia will be back on Robert K. Kraft Field Saturday, hosting Fordham (2-1) for a 12:30 p.m. kick-off.

Ivy League Release