Homecoming is a time for food, face paint, and football. This year, the Lions faced off against the Penn Quakers. And though the current generation of Columbians has yet to see a homecoming victory, the early success of the Columbia football team made this year's homecoming match a much anticipated event.

"This is the culmination of the football events and that's why people come out, that’s why people are excited."

"I need to get one of those bear claws. I’m so ready to go at it."

"It's crazy. Everyone's really excited and we think Columbia has a really good chance this year."

"There's definitely been more athletic excitement this week than I’ve ever seen at Columbia before."

Despite the intensified excitement, people feel there is still something missing from the college homecoming experience.

"It's definitely different than high school in the sense that there’s not really the whole spirit week isn't really completely embraced."

"Homecoming week has been a little different than most weeks here at Columbia. Definitely not as big a buildup as we had in high school...but it sounds like the football team is actually good this year, and so it’s at least a little bit exciting."

Though homecoming festivities were lacking around campus, Columbians displayed their abilities to be nonconformists, this time by embracing the Columbia school spirit.

"People are coming together, we’re drinking together, we're getting free stuff together."

"Of course they’re excited. There’s kids in body paint."

"Everyone that’s in there seems to be having a good time, so I’m looking forward to today."

"In this communal spirit, we will fight to defeat Penn."

Penn defeated Columbia, 27-13.