Looking for Deliverance
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Columbia fans could sure use a bit of deliverance after our disappointing 0-2 start.
And now we’ll need a little more help in the passing game.
Don’t expect WR Mike Stephens to be in the lineup anytime soon after he came up limping on a kickoff return against Albany Saturday.
His absence means QB Sean Brackett and the offense will need to lean on some of the other guys in the receiving corps.
Against Albany, Stephens’ fellow fifth year senior Paul Havas came up big with some key grabs including a one yard TD catch and another tough reception that set up the Lions first score.
Freshman Connor Nelligan made a great impression too. The fact that he was on the field for the end of the 1st half Hail Mary play says a lot about him. The fact that he made one of the most heads up plays in recent memory to scoop up the Albany fumble on that play and take it in for the TD says even more.
I have to think Kurt Williams was fighting the humidity Saturday with cramping issues, and that’s why he wasn’t more of a factor. But under the cooler night skies at Princeton he could have a big game. He certainly burned the Tigers a few times last year at Wien Stadium.
And with sophomore TE Hamilton Garner getting into the mix, Brackett has a new big target to look for on designed plays and in a jam.
Another possibility is that we could see a new face in the running game too. If Nick Gerst and Marcorus Garrett are still not 100%, we might see freshman Alec Fisher get some carries after he too was impressive in limited duty against the Great Danes.
But true deliverance will not come until the offensive line and Brackett get back on the right track. And Princeton, a program that is really struggling too, may provide the best opportunity to do that.
Player of the Week Awards
Yale QB Patrick Witt won his second straight Ivy Offensive Player of the Week award and Harvard’s Bobby Schneider took defensive honors.
For some reason, no Columbia player was even mentioned in the Honor Roll. That may have been our own call since the honor roll is usually just sent in by each individual team.
Princeton Tailgate Countdown
There are just a few days left to register for the cool Columbia tailgate event at Princeton Stadium.
Click HERE to register/RSVP for the event online NOW.
This is a good deal and a great way to eat before the game.
Ivy Football Event in NYC!
My good friend Erik Anjou, who directed and co-wrote the excellent film, 8: Ivy League Football and America, is behind a special Ivy football networking event this October 13th here in Manhattan.
Click on the picture above for info on how to attend.
The keynote speaker will be Jay Fiedler, Dartmouth '94, who is certainly one of the most successful Ivy football grads in recent years... but Ryan Fitzpatrick is certainly giving him a run for his money on that one!
And now...
Some fun pictures from the game this Saturday:
The strong stick together!
Game face!
Partners in crime
Extreme close-up!
Strategically covering the scoreboard
New best friends
posted by Jake @ 11:34:00 PM
19 comments
19 Comments:
Alec Fischer and Conner Nelligan have both impressed me. Did Childress suit up last Saturday? I didn't see him. And why are we allowing Stephens to run back kicks when we have some speed in the first and second year classes?
Hey, Jake! Your daughter brings sunshine to even the darkest days at Kraft Field at Wien Stadium at the Baker Athletics Complex!
Is there a chance if Sean doesn't get it going that we see more of Jerry Kelly?
You must mean Jerry Bell.
Jake: any word on Stephens? We need him.
Jerry Kelly's a great golfer! I'm just not sure he can run the option. Plus I think he used up his "red shirt" year.
Stephens was seriously injured last year and had to be a redshirt this. And the coach(es) kept him in late Sat!? Bench the coach(es) for the next game(s).
Jake-
Adorable daughter! However, are you crazy? The coaches now know what you look like. Watch your back!
Oh, they already knew what I look like.
My happy and hopeful half is slipping slowly into my cold, soulless, emotionally bunkered CU football fan self of the 80's....can someone please save me? Can our team save me from this dark place? Won't ask the coaches as they would not know how to defense a straight up the middle descent into darkness.
The eloquent English major who wrote the last post speaks for many of us.
Remember that Stephenw was hurt running back a kick after the outcome had been decide. Is anyone minding the store?
The answer to the last post is NO.
This happened last season too at Brown. Brackett didn't start because he was hurt, but was then put into game after we were down 28-0 with the game already out of reach.
Jake-Your daughters' eyes are beautiful shades of Columbia blue ! Was that a result of genetic engineering ?
Someone asked about Childress. He played near the end of the game. Nothing spectacular. I am guessing he will need some time to grow into the system. He wasn’t as big as I thought he might be. He has the look (height, form, etc.) of someone that could do great things in the future.
Folks need to get off the no play Stephens thing. No coach in their right mind is going to pick and choose when they use one of their best players. Stephens should have been doing kickoffs, he great at it. If the starters aren't getting the job done you don't pull them until late in the game to give others experience. If you have a huge lead that is when you switch (like Albany did). That is why we didn’t see Bell and the 2nd string OL until near the very end of the game. You keep your starters in to given them the extra snaps and try to improve what you’re doing. It may not seem right, but, that is just the way things are when it comes to football.
As far as Stephen's injury seriousness is concerned I am not sure. He was stiff legging it up and own the side lines with a bag of ice taped to his knee. No splint.
I have been hearingg that a lot of guys were playing hurt in th Albany game . I don't quite understand it. We only played one game before that. Or did others get seriously banged up in practices over the summer?
As far as injuries go it is part of the game. Albany lost a player with a broken leg. They happen in practice. They happen in games. They happen to key players. You adjust and move on.
Jake, your daughter is delightful. You two are fortunate that she can share something about which you are so passionate. That's really a blessing. How many fathers would prefer to spend a Saturday afternoon on the golf course?
Yes, I quit my beloved post as color commentator for Columbia football last year to be able to sit with my girls in the stands before they get too old to want to be with me. It was really the right choice.
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