Faulty Finish
Call it a Brownout
Brown 38 Columbia 16
Why Brown Won
The Bears ran a flawless offense through most of the first half, especially on 2nd and 3rd down. The Bears offensive line was especially dominant and helped Brown take advantage of almost every Columbia mistake.
Why Columbia Lost
The Lions came out extremely flat on offense, and dug themselves into an 0-28 hole. Sean Brackett ignited some life into the squad when he entered the game in the second half, but Columbia was still error prone and it was far too late anyway.
Key Turning Points
Columbia missed three key chances to grab a spark in the game:
1) After the Bears grabbed a Jerry Bell interception at the Lion 20, the Columbia defense held and Brown turned it back over on downs. But the Lions gained no momemtum as they got one first down and then had to punt.
2) Brown fumbled a Greg Guttas punt late in the first half, but the result was only a missed Columbia FG.
3) After the Lions scored a TD to make it 31-13 in the third, Guttas and Columbia executed a flawless onside kick and got the ball right back. But the resulting drive ended in a fumble inside the Brown five.
Columbia Positives
-Brackett's near flawless play and gutty performance on a bad leg.
-Alex Gross' 14 tackles to finish the season with a league-leading 124.
-The onside kick.
Columbia Negatives
-Without Brackett, the offense simply does not move.
-The run defense was alarmingly absent.
-Turnovers in both red zones were rampant.
Columbia MVP
It has to go to Brackett. The game was not remotely interesting for Lions fans until he got into it.
posted by Jake @ 8:02:00 PM
7 comments
7 Comments:
Let's focus on what we need to do to add a few more wins to our program. First, I think our strength training program probably needs to be revamped. Our pattern was to start strong and then hit a wall during the season. We outmuscled other lines until we reached Penn and then couldn't get it done. Second, we are too small on the DL and at the LB position. Third, we need a FB who can clear running lanes. Fourth, we need a bigger and faster WR corps, or at least one go to WR who can get separation. Fifth, we need another RB who can move the pile. Gerst and Garrett are on the small side. Let's face it; we have the best player in the Ivy League for the next two years. We aren't that far away with somebody who will keep us in every game.
I agree with everything the the first poster said. One note, they have the big DL playesrs (98, 61, etc), but, those players were not the starters this year and once we hit Penn and the bigger OLs as the 1st poster indicated it showed.
The skill positions in football always get the glory, but the game is usually won or lost on the line. After Ian Quirk got hurt the O-line looked totally different (Penn forward).
Next season starts in about a month (after all the "minor" injuries from the season heal). Penn won their Ivy championship in the weightroom last off season. The short 10 week Ivy season is the test, the prep for that is the offseason. Penn clearly worked their collective behinds off getting ready for the season.
There is real talent on this team -probably enough to win a championship, however, it's up to each individual player to decide if they're going to spend the time and effort needed this offseason to win one. I think that this coaching staff has done a great job of recruiting guys that really want to play football - a lot more kids are sticking with the program for all 4 years. We'll start to find out when the players report in the spring if our guys are taking the offseason as seriously as Ivy League Champion Penn.
One of the post hit the nail on the head. We alway think of the skilled players when it comes to winning.On offence if you don't have a O line it don't matter who your back is. When its said that Gerst and Garrett are on the small side what would be better a bigger kid who's not as stronge. The weight room is the answer. Gerst did a good job and Garrett didn't get much time, but did well with the time he was given.
What kind of a season did Adams have at LT, following his all Ivy first team sophomore season? I thought he'd be the next Ivy NFL OL prospect, but he seemed to be invisible in the run game this year.
There is an awful lot of complaining about coaching and player talent. I think the coaching and talent is there (including the o and d lines, who are just as big and strong as those of opposing teams), but we just have to break this pattern of falling behind big in the first half. Those second half comebacks tell me this team has what it takes. It is mental, and can be corrected.
I don't think you can pin this on the o-line or the loss of Quirk. There are many factors here, including turnovers and poor defensive play. The replacement o-line players played very well at times, including during the Yale comeback, and all the other offensive surges we have seen the last few games. When they didn't play well, the entire team didn't either. We have very good developing o-line players, let's support them instead of putting them down.
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