Monday Helmet Stickers: 38-0 Edition

Corey Cameron and Chris Groth hover over their prey


48 hours after Columbia's big 38-0 beatdown on Princeton and it still feels good in Lion Land.

I am especially celebrating anew now that Corey Cameron has been named Ivy League Defensive Player of the Week for his 13 tackles, (that's an upgrade from 12 listed on Saturday), several of which were crucial and hard-hitting.

Now I want you all to put yourselves in Corey Cameron's shoes. He's a fifth-year senior because of injuries he sustained in 2007. So, back in 2005 when he was a freshman he was part of the travel team than came to Princeton Stadium feeling pretty good at 2-0. That team left Princeton 43-3 losers and didn't win another game for the rest of the year. What a difference four years makes!


Of course, we're fans. We don't have to go right back to practice and prove to the coaches that we're focusing on the future and the tough opponent awaiting us in fIve days in Easton, PA.

But longtime Columbia fans have earned the right to enjoy this victory at least until Friday. I hereby give you permission.

BUT, if I hear about any partying, smirking, or crank calls made to the Princeton alums you may know out there anytime after 6pm on October 9th, I will make sure you are punished thoroughly!!!

Now let's get back to the team and get some recognition for the players you may not have heard too much about after Saturday's win:


-Greg Guttas give the team a big emotional lift by making his first field goal of the season with a lot of pressure on him and the Princeton band menacingly staring him down from the back of the end zone. Greg also continued to improve on his kickoffs and seems to be getting into a groove in that area.

-Mike Stephens gets a sticker for streaking down the sideline faster than just about any receiver I've seen as he caught up to M.A. Olawale's pass for an eventual 50-yard score. This comes a year after Mike's unfortunate fumble killed Columbia's chances in the Princeton game on Homecoming. We were all happy that he got a big play this time around.


-Ray Rangel was stopped at times, but when the Lions desperately needed to start eating the clock he began running for first downs. He still leads the Ivy League in rushing and actually put some more distance between him and the rest of the pack.

-My Buckeye Lions from Ohio heeded my call for excellence as both Lou Miller and Alex Gross recovered fumbles that led to scores in the first half.


-Speaking of fast, Jared Morine's interception for a pick six wasn't only a case of being in the right place at the right time. Morine timed the bad throw from Tommy Wornham perfectly and then took off like a shot for the 51-yard score.

-Austin Knowlin's TD late in the game was another amazing display of acrobatics from "AK." I was reminiscent of a TD he scored on a run against Princeton in the same end zone two years ago. You can see this highlight by clicking here and logging on to the SideLion Pass.

-M.A. Olawale passed for more than 200 yards and again went without an interception. He was only sacked once.

-Chris Groth only had one official tackle, but he did a great job plugging up the middle all day.

-Bruce Flemming harrassed Wornham all day, forcing several bad throws.

-Marc Holloway had a solid game with eight tackles, including one key stop where he made an adjustment and cut off what could have been a big Tiger gainer.

-Sophomore corner Neil Schuster gave the Lions some much needed depth in the secondary and recorded six tackles

-Speaking of depth, freshman defensive end Seyi Adebayo helped give the starting front four some needed rest while also recording a four yard tackle for a loss.

-And I'd like to give the entire Columbia team a special helmet sticker for keeping their composure and acting happy, but calm as the game clock ticked away. They knew they were better than Princeton that day, they knew they would win, and I think it was important to show that they didn't feel like they had just won the lottery.