5 Keys to the Game: Cornell

1) Run Until They Stop Us

I'd love to see the Lions run the ball as often as Cornell's opponents have in each game this year, (the average is 44 times per game). If that happens, I think it means Columbia wins the game, period. I'd also love to see M.A. Olawale recover from his injury and get into this game and shred the Big Red with his big powerful running attack. Failing that, Sean Brackett could similarly hurt Cornell with his super-quick feet. And the tailbacks Leon Ivery and Zack Kourouma could do damage too.


2) Contain Walters and Liuzza

Cornell's best chances to win are if Bryan Walters burns the Lions with big kick returns and Stephen Liuzza burns them with big runs from the QB slot. Remember, this is the final career home game for both of them and they will definitely want to go out with a bang. I get the feeling the Big Red coaches will be drawing up more plays and calling Walters' and Liuzza's numbers much more often because this is their personal finale at Schoelkof Field.


3) No Free Points

Columbia doesn't need to play a perfect game in Ithaca tomorrow, but it can't hand the Big Red a bunch of free points either. Cornell's struggling offense would like nothing better than a few botched punts or fumbles in Lion territory. So the long snaps need to be crisp, and the ball carriers need to be smart with the pigskin, period.


4) Score in the Red Zone

Every red zone visit really needs to result in points tomorrow for the Lions. The number of scoring chances Columbia has left on the table this season is starting to reach exhorbitant levels. At first, this was about the shaky field goal kicking game, but now it's become an issue with penalties and turnovers as well. This can't happen tomorrow.


5) Test the Cornell Kick Coverage

The two biggest reasons why Cornell has done so well in kick coverage this year may be beacause a. Bryan Walters is on THEIR team and b. they haven't played Austin Knowlin and the Lions yet. Let's put that to the test tomorrow and see if Knowlin can repeat the 76 yard punt return for a TD he scored last year to put the Cornell game away for Columbia. And if the Big Red kicks away from Austin on kickoffs, let's see if Craig Hamilton can continue the strong season he's had with his returns.