Washed Away
John Coombs intercepts Craig Hormann (CREDIT: Yale Athletics)
Yale 28 Columbia 7
Why Yale Won
It took awhile, but the Elis finally got their offense going in the second half. More importantly, they stayed even in the first half despite seeing their usual weapons neutralized. There was also some clear mental toughness, as a lot of teams coming into a game as 30.5-point underdogs would have imploded after a scoreless first half.
Why Columbia Lost
The football gods will punish if you don't score points and take advantage of the gifts you earn or the ones simply given to you. The Lions squandered several chances in the first half, and those chances simply weren't there in the third and fourth quarter. Injuries played a huge role too, as starters Justin Masorti and Brandon Buckley finished the game on the sidelines.
Key Turning Points
1) A late first half turnover gave Columbia the ball on the Yale 24, but the Lions couldn't get a first down and a field goal attempt by Jon Rocholl sailed wide left.
2) After falling behind 7-0 in the third, Columbia drove the ball back into Yale territory, but gave the ball away on a questionable fumble call. Coach Norries Wilson exploded as the referees overruled a lone colleague who called the Lion player down by contact, but it was to no avail.
Columbia Positives
Rain or no rain, the Columbia defense played extremely well in the first half before finally running out of gas after the Masorti injury. Phil Mitchell played well at his new nose tackle position. Drew Quinn forced a fumble and grabbed an INT.
Columbia Negatives
Other than the squandered opportunities mentioned above, there were problems again on the offensive line. One Yale player told me that was the real difference in the game. Hormann needs more time and the running backs need better holes, period.
Game MVP: Phil Mitchell
posted by Jake @ 7:28:00 AM
12 comments
12 Comments:
Did we see the same game? Seems more like we got it handed to us on offense, defense and special teams. Make a case for us winning any phase of the game. You know, all 4 quarters count. Period.
I don't know what game the above poster was watching, but our defensive effort in the first half made me wonder how we could ever have been so bad in previous games. We will put it all together eventually.
Masorti's injury was the turning point. He was playing an incredible game until he was hurt. I thought that he was the best defender on the field. As for the offense, we just don't seem to have a strong enough offensive push. Unfortunately, the only way to address that difficulty is by playing a spread offense with a mobile QB. For all of his heart, and his strong arm, Craig just played a flat-out bad game. On the other hand, the guy who beat us was Polhemus. Not a great talent, but mobile, and his mobility buys time for his receivers or permits him to make yards on his feet in the absence of containment. But I do believe that we just aren't strong enough up front on the OL. A few other thoughts: we got killed by some crummy calls. I had ag reat view of the "fumble" whiich caused NW to explode. It was a killer, and inexplicable. Shalbrack played a great game, with one huge and very costly mitake: he came up and didn't stay with a receiver who came down with a poorly thrown ball for a 20 yard gain. McLeod is good but we basically bottled him up. Mitchell has to play inside until we can find a true NT. Several drops by WRs which hurt; but some absolutely awful and in some cases weird throws by Hormann.
Jake, shouldn't NW as a former OL make getting some big and nasty OLs his #1 priority? I saw from the Fordham game that you can open up your whole offense and turn ordinary RBs into world beaters with five road graders. And shouldn't NW start coaching our OL himself? We have some huge freshmen--are any ready to be game tested? I see that Gaston is getting some time and Cohen is on the two deep. What surprises me is that our OL spent a lot of time, we were told, in the weight room, and they are much bigger than last year. But for some reason they just aren't nasty.
Mitchell needs to stay at NT
NW needs to stay
OFF the field and
ON his blood pressure medication
I disagree with the 5:51 AM poster's assessment of the so-called "mistake" by Andy Shalbrack, a spur on the defense. The defenseive lineup appeared that the spur did not have primary and sole coverage responsibility on the receiver. Rather, there appeared to be a release called with pickup from other sources, at least to this spectator. No criticism is leveled at others, as there were plenty of plays available in the game to make a difference. I give Kudos to Shalbrack for good coverage Saturday and a tough interception during the game. Had a chance for a couple more that resulted in breakups. I hope Masorti is okay. Nice game for Mitchell and the tackle totals for the underclassmen.
Shalbrack is a great player, but his position coach could be heard telling him that he should not have released the receiver. Not a knock on a great player.
Were you really on the field at that time? You actually heard this? I want your tickets next home game.
You don't have to be to far away to hear LF.
LF also communicates with his hands!
Any word on Masorti? I thought he was playing a fantastic game-- shooting gaps; making hard tackles; roaming from sideline to sideline. Reminded me of Des Werthman!
Agree with the above assessment on Masorti. He was having a monster game before re-injuring the ankle and his absence was clearly felt. The plays where he shot gaps to take McLeod head-on were amazing and inspirational. There were a lot of young Lions leaving their heart on the field Saturday.
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