Recon Weekend

Can Fordham's John Skelton throw in the rain?

All three of Columbia's non-conference opponents are in action this Saturday, and weather permitting all the games start at the same time!

Fordham takes on the University of Rhode Island at home in what has become the annual confusing "Rams vs. Rams" showdown. The game is scheduled to begin at 6pm at Jack Coffey Field. Lions fans can do some "advance scouting" by listening to the game on WFUV on the Web and you can find that link on the Fordham sports Web site.

Fordham's two-deep has been released and there are no real surprises other than co-captain and star defensive lineman Fonzie Culver being listed as a backup to fellow senior Ryan Mehra. I assume that is because of some injury to Culver, but perhaps there are other reasons.

Fordham won this game in Kingston last year and they will be strongly favored this time around as URI is rebuilding with a new Head Coach Darren Rizzi who was an assistant to Greg Schiano at Rutgers. URI is actually 1-0 after eking out a 27-24 win over Monmouth last week.


Lafayette heads to New York to face Marist also at 6pm. Marist is 0-1 after losing to the University of San Diego by a 40-22 score last weekend in California. I don't see any game notes from either school, but you can expect Lafayette to roll in this game.


Finally Towson plays its second game of the season. The Tigers have scheduled their home opener against Morgan State for 6pm at Johnny Unitas Stadium. The school is very excited about the unveiling of its new 47-foot wide Daktronics HD video board. Towson narrowly beat Morgan State last season and this game should also be a close one.


While it's often frustrating the Ivy schools have to wait so long to start their seasons, this weekend is not one where I will be envying our non-conference foes. The weather is really expected to be nasty this Saturday in New York and Baltimore and I wonder if lightning will play a role in any of these games. Of course, there's no guarantee the weather will be better in two weeks when Columbia gets going with its season. But this Saturday seems like it will be uniquely nasty.