Homecoming Countdown
First off, congratulations to freshman kicker Luke Eddy for being named the Ivy League Rookie of the Week. Luke was a bright spot for the Lions in the loss at Penn, especially his booming 48-yard FG in the second half. For those of you who are counting, his 16 straight PAT’s put him just six shy of the record of 22 straight set by Larry Walsh in 1983.
All of this week’s posts will focus on Homecoming as the Lions are set to host what should be a well-attended and exciting affair.
Here’s what Homecoming 2010 has going for right now, (there will be more as the week goes on):
-A good matchup between two Ivy teams that are clearly on the rise.
-A Columbia QB who has a legit shot to win the league MVP award, the Bushnell Cup.
-A Dartmouth team that has the Ivy League’s leading rusher, who also has a legit shot to win the Bushnell Cup.
-A Lions team that wants to avenge last year’s embarrassing 28-6 loss to a Big Green team that had lost 17 straight games.
-A Columbia team that has a winning record coming into Homecoming for the first time since 2006.
-As of today, the weather forecast is great. 59 degrees and mostly sunny. It could change in the coming days, but it’s looking good right now.
On a psychological note, you could argue that Homecoming is coming at the perfect time for the Lions. What better way to quickly shake off the downer of a loss at Penn than with a big crowd, and big game against an opponent that hasn’t beaten another Ivy team on the road in four years?
And with a poor showing by the Lion rush defense mostly to blame for the Penn loss, Dartmouth’s Nick Schwieger provides a great opportunity for the defense to redeem itself and prove it’s not as soft as it looked against the Quakers.
Ticket Challenge
My challenge to all my readers to buy at least ONE extra ticket for Homecoming and get someone to fill that seat is still on!
This team really deserves your support and this Saturday’s game really should be a good one.
posted by Jake @ 7:25:00 AM
11 comments
11 Comments:
Put 8 or 9 in the box and force Dartmouth to pass.
Jake, The Columbia.edu site stated that Luke Eddy was voted College Football Performer of the Week. Isn't that a national award way beyond the Ivies?
Jake, According to the Columbia.edu website Luke Eddy was voted College Football Performer of the Week. Isn't that a national award? Surprised they found us!
weather forecast from GFS,
weather GFS
One comment about the Penn game. One thing to note is that Penn only scored once in the 2nd half. I wasn't at the game, but, they must have done something to slow down the run or the score would have been much higher. As the saying goes, the best defense is a good offense. I think the lack of offense is the real key to why we lost to Penn. For those that were at the game, how was the play calling? That seems to have been a major factor in past.
To the last poster, even though you were not at the game you hit the nail on the head. Look at the box score from the Penn game, Total yds, first downs were pretty even. Biggest factors in loss, my opinion, was the 5 sacks (missing Quirk) and questionable critical play calling on third down and short. 2 plays I remember were, Shot gun with an option run? Wide reciever sweep? How long does it take to get to the line of scrimmage no less gain a couple of yds? What ever happend to the QB under center and run power with full back and tail back?
Also, with Penn 3-4 D they send min of 5 at all time, pass or run, so where was a screen or draw?
Even if they do not work it has to slow down their rush and make them honor it.
Penn Game was NOT lost by the D, they only gave up 3 TD's and going in to the game who would not have taken that with the Lions O?
Lions needed a complete game to beat Penn, O, D and special teams and the O fell short.
It's never endearing being a Monday morning quarterback, but in my humble opinion I thought the pay calling was very conservative (with the exception of the onside kick) . When we were down by two touchdowns with 6 or 7 minutes to go, why not swing some passes, and go for it on 4th down . We had nothing to lose at that point, unless we were afraid to get intercepted and worsen the score, which is not a good reason. The Kennedy strike was evidence of taking a good risk. We have a passer and good receivers. Throwing a couple of long ones, we might get an interference call, and you're in business. Also, I don't recall one razzle dazzle play, which might have thrown Penn off their rhythm, especially in the running game--an end around or something like that
Is Quirk going to be back on Saturday?
FIRST HALF
Penn TD
CU FG
DEFENSIVE STOP.
Penn punt. CU fumbles, Penn TD.
Kickoff. CU three and out.
DEFENSIVE STOP.
The D forces Penn into 4th and long. Fake punt. Stopped. CU takes over on the Penn 39! CU three and out.
DEFENSIVE STOP.
Penn fumble. CU takes over on the Penn 33! CU four and out.
Penn TD.
Kickoff. CU six and out.
Penn runs out the half.
Three defensive stops in the first half, two inside the Penn 40 yard line. Result: CU - O and Penn +6 on the fumble.
Two possessions inside the Penn 40!
The score at half could have easily been Penn 20 and CU 17. The defense didn't play great but they stopped Penn enough to win. CU just didn't take advantage of its offensive opportunities.
Analysis is good. I'm all for it and we have done it, as has the coaches. To the critical thinker it gives clarity and direction to what must be worked on. YET, in football, you win and lose as a team. We lost to a team that played better overall that day. Our frustrations are evidence of the caliber of expectation, which is directly linked to the high quality of players we have. Let's turn our attention to the future, to correcting our mistakes, playing together as a team as we have several Saturdays already, getting better and realizing that our fate is still in our hands. It always is, regardless of what opportunities present themselves.
To that last poster...well said. Nothing more need be said. Get the win fellas!
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