Averting the Worst
Harvard 24 Columbia 7
Columbia had a lot of chances to win this game, but fumbles and overall offensive ineptitude killed us again. However, the offense was improved in this game, and now the problem is not so much moving the ball, but holding on to it.
Harvard is a very good team, but the Lions did a lot more things to lose this game than the Crimson did to win it. Every one of Harvard's scoring drives began on the Columbia side of the field. The best part of the day for the Lions was the defensive effort, and keeping Clifton Dawson from breaking the Ivy career rushing record against us.
More later...
posted by Jake @ 5:01:00 AM
24 comments
24 Comments:
I Agree, Horman showed improvement today. Harvard showed myriad blitz packages today which were difficult to pick up. Quicker hot reads will improve the offensive performance substantially. Defense had a lot of "short fields" today and generally did a good job.
Jake, I am invoking your 24 hour rule before I comment on the game. However, no mattter how disappointed I am in the play of the team - no mattter what bright spots you point out - (we still can't score points) I cannot stand for the verbal abuse dished out by Nugai to the young men of the Columbia Football Team and the younger Brekke in particular. As you know, at Harvard Stadium, the fans sit right on top of the field, only a few feet from the players and coaches, because there is no track. Aside from Nugai constantly "F"ing the players on their play, at one point in the game - just after our botched fumble recovery attempt because our player hit the ball out of bounds without maintaing possession first, Nugai approached young Brekke, who made a comment about the play, and told him that he would "drop" him. Whatever was said by the young player, and any player for that mattter, should never elicit a threat of physical violence from any coach. This event was not only witnessed by Columbia fans, but also by the many Harvard fans sitting on the Columbia side. This man does not deserve to be a coach at this fine university. Perhaps he is better suited for a job with the NYC MTA.
Nugai had a bad reputatuion while he was coaching the backs at Harvard. Let's see what Wilson does after the season. As for the game itself, we are pretty close. We still drop too many passes, and for a passing team that is deadly.
I had heard the bad rap on Nugai before and I think it's possible he'll be gone by next year. But you never know about coaching styles, some kids actually need to be whipped into shape in a way that bystanders like us can't stomach. I'll withhold my final say on Nugai until early next year.
Jake, I would like a clarification of your statement. So, are you saying that the younger Brekke is one of those kids that need to be "whipped" into shape? Yes, coaches are emotional. Yes, coaches yell at players because they want them to perform their best. But how many good coaches threaten physical violence? Brekke is not the first Columbia player Nugai has threatened, and he won't be the last. How about "whipping" the coach into shape and making him act like a normal human being?
If you have concerns about Nugai email the AD.
Well, I mean I think I have to withhold judgement on someone until I see some first-hand evidence. Also, is it possible the coach was threatening to give him my wind sprints or stadiums in practice? I just don't have enough first-hand info to pass judgement right now.
A coach's biggest responsibilty is to gain respect from his players both from his knowledge of the game and his behavior.
Norries Wilson is respected by ALL of his players, but,as I suspected, several of his assistants are not.
These problems, most likely, will be solved after the season.
could we please get a running game going?? It would take some of the pressure of of Horman if he didn't have to pass all the time. The other teams have a running game. All Columbia does is pass, not real tough to figure out how to defend against Columbia.
Jake- Coaches are played to motivate their players and get them to perform to the best of their abilities. You have to realize that sometimes coaches utilize various methods to achieve the desired result, including "getting in their faces." I am not standing up for Nugai because until today I didn't even know his name. That said, let's allow the coaches to do their jobs. How would you rate the staff in relation to the other Ivy and Patriot staff's? I can guarantee you those coaches are no less physical/aggressive than our staff.
Wilson doesn't have the respect of all the players. His lack of professionalism and respect at practice this past Wednesday was ucalled for. No wonder they have closed practices. You would think that, with the attrition, Wilson and his staff would try a little bit to keep the players. He is making enemies. Continued losses will lead to more attrition - they'll stop playing for him.
I disagree. Wilson and his group are excellent football guys and an excellent choice for our University. Defense has played well all year. Offense runs a complex system and need kids that have experience in it to be effective. The style of play works in a lot of programs. A more effective run game would improve Horman's passing skills though. The uppper classmen have done a good job adapting. There have been various reasons for the attrition, all of which should be examined to keep the team strong. We still have a very young 2-deep, relative to the competition!
Although I missed the Yale game, I have attended every other. The team is exciting to watch despite the predictable incompetence on the offensive side. The reality is Columbia lacks players on offense who make plays. I am not saying the kids are not capeable of making plays, they just do not. There is an athlete who will make a one-handed grab while diving over a defender and touch one foot in bounds for a first down on 3rd and 15. There is an equally talented player who will fail to catch a pass wide open in the Endzone...There are athletes and there are playmakers. CU lacks playmakers on the offensive side... I spoke to a CU freshman after the Harvard game and he pointed to his ring finger. Apparently he believes there is a place there for an Ivy League Championship ring. If defense wins championships then these young Lions may have a shot. Coach Wilson will recruit to fill his needs on offense hopefully by snagging some electrifying TBs or WRs. If the coaching improves particularly in the area of time-management and play-clock strategy CU could be 5-5 or 6-4 next year... And then there are the Academic rigors which no doubt stress the kids...I can freely admit that I know nothing about Ivy League Football having just become a fan of CU this year but the combination of athletic competition and academic challenge makes the Ivy League, in my humble estimation, the premiere football league in the country. I played with some guys who never went to class and cheated on exams. This Ivy League seems very different and refreshingly so. There was a nice crowd at Harvard and the kids played hard. Did I mention the Ivy League Education? It is all win win for these kids despite the final score, the final stats and the year-end record.
what happened at practice last wednesday?
Let's donate a case of "stickum" to the receivers to spray on their gloves before this Saturday's game.
these coaches are the definition of profesionalism and work ethic. anyone that says anything other than that is dilusional.
Jake, Defense does win championships and our freshman class on D will lead our team to @ championship w/in 4 years.
Look, Millie HAS to be on the field in some sort of offensive capacity. He is too big,strong, fast & talented. I mean, Michael Robinson from PSU,lined up in a lot of differnt looks and MADE PLAYS from all of them including QB. Why dont they have him on the field SOMEWHERE! Jeez, Ive played and coached enough to know that the playmakers HAVE to get on the field....Nobody has an explanation. Its driving me bananas not knowing...whats your explanation...Help me
If you think Nugai is professional, you're dilusional. Please get help.
Unfortunately, "stickum" on the gloves would not do much good, as gloves are usually on the hands (If it don't fit you must acquit) and from what I have seen the recievers are allowing the football to contact the body as opposed to catching the darn thing with the hands AWAY from the body, as is usually taught from the living room/den the whole way to NFL. The kids got to make plays!
What I don't understand is the big guy's attachment to Horman. There have been many times during the season where he had the opportunity to use Allison or Millie, but he chose not to. At Harvard, the big guy chose to go with Horman, who was obviously hurt being tackled AND HE still stuck with Horman. I don't know the kid, however, any other QB, with any other coach, would have been replaced, unless of course, he were a Montana or a Namath.. What gives?
Does anyone have an injury report going into this week's game? Other than the linebacker that has been wearing a cast for the past 2 games, I haven't seen or heard much. Does anyone have info?
Why isn't MA seeing some time? Coach Wilson said he isn't ready to start, but why not put him in the rotation? He is the best runner on the team, with a huge upside.
one thing's for sure, horman knows the offense. execution may be another story, but one can only assume that the coaches don't feel comfortable putting in a freshman against the one of the best defenses in 1-AA. and don't expect to see much or MA against cornell either, as they are notorious in the ivy league for doing crazy things with their front 7, which would be hard to ask a young guy to check away from. horman will come around, and so will the rest of the offense. we have nothing but time.
Yea, and many thought that George Bush would come around....
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