Halloween Hopes and Horrors
Sean Brackett was playing H.S. football less than a year ago
Yale 23 Columbia 22
Why Yale Won
Eli QB Patrick Witt came in for the second half and neutralized the fierce Lion pass rush with his quick release. That brought life to the Yale offense and eventually gave it the ability to capitalize on late Columbia mistakes.
Why Columbia Lost
The Lions chose the worst time to make their only real errors of the game. Three turnovers in the last few minutes of the contest gave Yale a chance to win... and they did. The mistakes nixed a super effort by a number of backup players who performed magnificently in injury relief.
Key Turning Points
-After taking a 6-0 lead late in the first half, the Lions almost gave up a TD on the ensuing kickoff return. A great play by kicker Greg Guttas saved the big score, but Yale was able to take the great field position and turn it into a 47-yard field goal as the second quarter ended.
-Leadng 22-17 in the 4th and stuck in a 2nd and 7 hole at their own 23, the Lions got a spectacular series of blocks and a super 75-yard run by RB Leon Ivery... only to fumble the ball away to Yale at the Eli 5 on the next play. What could have been the game-clinching score was given away.
-On their ensuing possession with the score still 22-17, Lion frosh QB Sean Brackett, who had put in a spectacular game all day, made his first mistake by fumbling the ball away just at the end of another dazzling run.
-On Yale's ensuing drive, Witt threw an incomplete pass on a 4th an 1, but sophomore linebacker Nick Mistretta was called for defensive holding, and the Elis got new life. They would score the winning TD on the next play.
LION MVP's
Brackett and Lion DL Lou Miller put in super performances and they deserve to share the MVP award this week. Miller had two sacks, should have been credited with a third and was getting held and even tackled by the Yale OL late in the game.
Brackett showed a strong arm, super fast legs, and generally good decision making skills. He was 10 of 19 for 180 yards, three TD's and one INT at the end of the game that I don't think he throws if the Lions hadn't been in such a desperate situation. He also ran for 68 yards on just 15 carries. The potential he showed Saturday will hoepfully act as at least some kind of elixir for Lions fans and players who are surely suffering after such a tough loss.
posted by Jake @ 6:54:00 PM
4 comments
4 Comments:
The two turn overs was the difference, but, both 1st game players making rookie mistakes. Nothing they should be ashamed of. The team should build on this game. They gave a great performance. Bracket after getting in a comfort zone with passing was a major plus. Ivery was impressive all day. The DL closed off the runs in the middle this week. Defensively we still need to work on outside containment and pass coverage, but, looked better this week. Better containment and another stellar performance on offense and this team can beat anyone.
To our players-
Do NOT listen to ANY negative comments from ANYONE. Do not think negative thoughts about yourselves. You can win any game this season. Play for the guy standing next to you, play for your love of the game and have fun! And BELIEVE! Believe when you get off the bus, believe when you step on the field and believe in the 4th quarter with just minutes to go. Turn off the noise, focus on what you do and BELIEVE. Let no one tell you otherwise and I mean NO ONE. Let's see a HUGE win against Harvard.
From the Ivy League Board:
"Take it from a Lafayette player. Columbia was the best Ivy team we faced this year. Maybe they didn't play great against Penn, or maybe Penn didnt play up to Par against us, but Columbia was the best we have played.."
Lafayette beat Harvard 35-18.
GO LIONS!
Agree wholeheartedly with the previous post. Stay on task. This CU team is a much better team than 2-5. You have not been outhit or dominated by anyone.
I want to endorse the message above. I have had my eye on Leon Ivery and ahve been waiting for a break-out game from him. Ditto Sean Brackett. As far as I am concerned, Louy Miller deserves the Bushnell Cup. Best player in the league, by a long shot. BEAT HARVARD, and it will make the season.
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