[3] They included two former Fordham football players, Nick Brandemarti, a member of the class of 2000, and Kevin Szocik, a 1997 graduate.

The two teams did not meet again for several decades, even after Fordham joined Columbia in the NCAA's "major" level, equivalent to today's Division I, in 1928.

[7] Aside from 1943–1945 hiatus due to World War II, Fordham remained a major program until the 1954 season.

Columbia, along with the rest of the Ivy League, still played at what is now known as the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level.

After a brief hiatus, the two renewed their series in 2000, typically as Columbia's season opener and the third game on Fordham's schedule.

But Fordham and Columbia — the only Division I football teams in New York City at the time — debated as late as Friday, September 14, about the possibility of playing.

"[3] Less than 10 months after that game, the underdog Lions gained their revenge, holding Fordham close for 59 minutes before winning with a 37-yard field goal with 10.5 seconds to play.

The 13-11 victory was Columbia’s only win of the 2002 season; Fordham finished 10-3, gaining a share of the Patriot League title and reaching the quarterfinals of the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.

The Columbia University Marching Band drew protests from Fordham and Roman Catholics generally with an off-color double entendre reference to the priest abuse scandal during its halftime performance at the inaugural 2002 Liberty Cup game, when the Columbia band's self-proclaimed "Poet Laureate" read from a script over the stadium's public address system:[11] "As well as the Mets' season going up in smoke, Fordham tuition going down like an altar boy, and the Fordham football team with a threat rating of a cute, neon pink, the band now presents an all-star gala halftime salute to more Columbia news."

In reporting the incident, The New York Times, the Associated Press, and most of the mainstream media found the reference to be too insensitive or offensive and refused to print it.

Jerry Glanville was the color broadcaster for that game for TV as a part of the now-defunct Football Network.

The following year, Taylor recommended Columbia improve its athletic facilities, increase salaries and discontinue the Fordham series.