Spinning Wheels
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A Jersey Train Wreck
Princeton 24 Columbia 21
Why Princeton Won
The Tigers kept it very simple and ran the ball very effectively. Three Princeton rushers averaged more than four yards a carry and the entire ground effort was led nicely by Brian Mills who finished with 117 yards and a TD.
On defense, Princeton mostly stuffed the Lion running game and never let the CU offense get into a groove.
Why Columbia Lost
Columbia's offense never got rolling, finished with just 14 first downs, and had the defense to thank for most of its scoring.
But the Lion defense was far from perfect, allowing way too many rushing yards and getting almost no pressure on Princeton QB Tommy Wornham.
Key Turning Points
-Princeton's opening possession was greatly aided by two Columbia personal foul penalties that resulted in 30 total yards and an eventual Tiger FG. When you lose by three points, those penalties kill you.
-After Columbia's AJ Maddox made a nice play for a pick six, the Lions had a 7-3 lead and seemed to have momentum. But a good kickoff return and an even better sustained Princeton drive ended in a TD and the Lion momentum was gone.
-About midway through the second quarter, Columbia recovered a Princeton fumble and took over at its own 40. The Lions got one first down, but on 4th and one at the Tiger 37, QB Sean Brackett's keeper came up short.
-Leading 10-7 at the half, the Princeton defense forced a three-and-out on Columbia's first possession of the third quarter and then marched down the field for a 74-yard TD drive to take a more commanding 17-7 lead.
Columbia Positives
-Many of Columbia's walking wounded stepped up big. AJ Maddox shook off his week one injury and scored a pick six, and recovered the bad snap that led to Columbia's second TD. Ross Morand shook off injuries before and during the game to make 11 tackles and force a fumble. WR Paul Havas, who was out for game one, made spectacular diving catch for a TD for his second score of the season.
-TE Hamilton Garner made a spectacular play to lunge for the pylon and score a TD after a nice catch and run. He needs to get more touches for sure.
-The defense had trouble stopping the run, but it generally gave the Lions more than enough chances to win the game by forcing turnovers and making some good plays on a handful of third downs.
-Paul Delaney's punting was strong and Luke Eddy remains perfect on PAT's at eight-for-eight on the season now.
Columbia Negatives
-For three straight weeks, the offense is showing little or no rhythm. Brackett seems banged up and that would explain a lot. The rushing game was actually a bit better with Marcorus Garrett getting a few nice runs, but it is still mostly lacking.
-A missed tackle made a short Princeton run a very long one on the Tigers' final scoring drive.
-Penalties at crucial times are still stabbing the Lions far too often.
-Princeton is actually a WEAKER team than it was last year when Columbia whipped them 42-14. To lose to this squad, even on the road, is a very bad sign.
Columbia MVP
AJ Maddox had 10 tackles, an interception return for a TD and a key fumble recovery... all while playing hurt. This is a senior every Columbia fan can be proud of.
posted by Jake @ 8:21:00 PM
47 comments
47 Comments:
If Princeton is actually weaker this year in your opinion, and we lost, then I don't see any victories. Cornell is at Cornell, so our one chance is fading fast
Thank you Norries - from the Trentonian...
Though Princeton continued to turn the ball over like a pillow on a hot summer night, it simply didn’t matter yesterday, as the Tigers were able to overcome their miscues and gut out a much-needed 24-21 win against Ivy Leaue rival Columbia. The win marks Surace’s first conference victory as Princeton’s head coach.
We need a asset manager who has the skill sets to understanding our assets and utilizing them effectively to achieve the highest and best use. Apparently, we are not properly utilizing our assets to maximize our returns!
As in any organization asset management is extremely important for success!
Thank God our next game is against Sacred Heart. Maybe they'll be merciful and let us play it close.
The only other noteworthy observation about football is that as usual, the fall sport to watch for Columbia fans is women's soccer.
Major problem yesterday was the line play on both sides of the ball. The defensive line couldn't stop the run and the offensive line couldn't open up any holes for our runners. Sacred Heart beat Central Connecticut yesterday and Dartmouth the week before, so next Saturday will not be a walk in the park
Childress playing JV? Are we THAT good that we can waste his talent?Seriously, if we were getting beat that badly off the ball, why not give the kid a chance? What did we have to lose? The way things looked last night, we could have used him, and maybe 1-2 cheerleaders.
On the heels of another great loss we received a fundraising e-mail from Dr. Murphy (I'm sure that most of you got the same one). The audacity! She has no clue about timing. Actually, her staff should know better. Who is in charge over there anyway? Absolutely clueless!
We're belaboring the point after 3 games. In the interest of the team and their 7 remaining games, we should stop belaboring the point and let them get on with it.
Leonlion
Like the Cajun in Waterboy said, "oh no, we suck again!"
I got the e-mail as well, but she was thanking us. Maybe she was happy about soccer and volleyball wins?
Couple of thoughts, many are blaming the coaches, but let's face it - we had some key drops. We could not convert on 4th and one, and I have no idea on the play why Brackett was not in the shotgun he was about 15 feet back- just lean forward and get the first down!
It's only 3 games. Give them a chance to right the ship.
We have some talent, and Brackett will get better. Vinnie, please turn over the game to Brackett and stop calling him to the sideline before each snap.
Sorry about the loss, but since they don't allow ties anymore one team had to win... and it looks like the game was at least close and highly entertaining.
Did it rain during the game? Attendance was a paltry 6,168 -- ouch -- that stings more than the game report. Also on Saturday, Cornell drew 4,000 vs Wagner, Dartmouth drew 8,000 vs Penn and Brown drew 8,500 vs RI.
Ivy League football just won't be right until they can find some way to get 10,000 per game again at all campuses. Change the opponents, change the ticketing -- there is nothing wrong with the quality of the show... but when crowds are this sparse everyone loses regardless of who gets the W.
On to basketball season!
Really, what else can one say with regard to last night's debacle? Tommy Wornham burned us with his rushes. Tommy Wornham! And his receivers time and again were able to stand stock still and wait for the ball. There was one sack of Wornham, but otherwise a seemingly non-existent pass rush.
And the tackling by the Lion defense was too often simply abysmal. It was a depressing night, and as I pulled out onto Route 1 to head back northwards it approprately started to pour.
Fellow alums, this is very simple... The players are unprepared; and the coaches are equally unprepared! That game plan was a disaster! Their ability to adjust mid-game showed how inept they really are. Yes, the players dropped some ball, but with the amount of turnovers that Princeton had, we should have won by 10 points.
Diane, either you get a search committee together for a new coach, or one will be gathered for YOU!
No on not on the field or on the coaching staff knows why the team isn't executing. It may be that the talent level isn't what we thought it was. It could individual lack of discipline and desire. I doubt it has much to do with skills coaching, but it could be in the schemes used. Or maybe the players heard the preseason expectations and it went to their heads. From what I've seen, and I'm no expert, it starts with the line play on both sides of the ball. The D line has improved somewhat from last year but not enough. And the reconstituted O line hasn't gelled - or maybe the new starters aren't that good despite their size.
It's easy to snipe at the coaches first, but I doubt that addresses the real problem. It's past time for the captains to step up and manage morale, discipline and the clubhouse. After that, who knows?
Stephens was missed. Does anyone know when he will able to play again+
Brackett isn't playing well. He is playing OK. But he needs to be a special player for us to win. I think the safeties are playing close to the line of scrimmage because they do not think he can throw the deep ball. That means we are effectively seeing eight and nine man fronts. That takes away the run game and it shuts down Brackett's ability to scramble.
Our offense did somewhat better last night with some nice catches by Havas and Garner. However, without a successful running game, it seems that the offense will continue to struggle. Hopefully, Garrett and Gerst will begin to produce big numbers starting next week.
Jake, great summary of the Princeton game. Let's hope that we can find some offense in today's junior varsity game. On film, a number of freshmen looked impressive including Braddock, Nelligan, Coffinger and Slivka. Thaxton and Mike S from Illinois are two others with speed, but they are listed as defensive backs. Still, if we need some instant offense, I would consider using them on the offense as well. Hope we get some detail on the junior varsity game from Columbia Athletics rather than the total news blackouts of the past.
JV team won 20-13. Stopped on 4th down inside the 5 with a few seconds left. Princeton ran a hook and lateral that gained about 20 yards. Game over.
Take a cue from Princeton and put in all the freshman... If there were freshman on the Princeton team as a shake up to their season starters, then that means we lost to their freshman team. Pathetic! All call for new blood!
JV won 20-13 Those freshman are impressive
If Jeff Adams expects to make first team all Ivy for the third time and get a look from the pros he is going to have to dominate at this level. His play has not been at that level. Our tailbacks should be able to make positive yards whenever they run behind Adams.
If one saw the JV game, Columbia had several juniors and quite a few sophomores playing. I did not have a Princeton roster, so I don't know their team makeup. I know the long TD pass was to a sophomore and another sophomore scored a TD. On defense, a rotation was played with upperclassmen and freshman. A win is a win.
I said it last week and I will say it again. They play as if they are not familiar with the game!
In the third Quarter we got 5 positions. Three were 3 and out. One started on the Princeton 28 yd line and we threw a TD pass. The last one was 7 (count 'em 7) plays for a grand total of 19 yards!
Is ther anything more to add?
Doc/ jock
Thanks to the person who posted the info on the junior varsity's 20-13 victory over Princeton this afternoon. Sounds like we got some offense out of a couple of sophomores. Do you know who did the scoring? Who played quarterback for us? Thanks
Congratulations to the Columbia Junior Varsity for its victory over Princeton!
The quarterbacks that played rotating series were Andrew Weiss (Jr) and Kai Prince (Fr) and Percy Goings (Fr) played as well. Scoring was Lowry (So) on a run, Andrada (So) on a pass reception, and Prince (Fr) on a QB sneak. Nelligan (Fr) had to have over 100+ yards receiving. Princeton's scores were set up by turnovers inside the 10 and then at about the 20, after Columbia was up 20-0. It was a fun atmosphere with a youth football team there and lots of parents. The players looked excited to play and played with enthusiasm. Maybe its because they have fewer games to play or are excited to play a game, but they sure had fun. There are 4 more JV games and they are free, so come on out.
Thanks for the information on the junior varsity game.
Don't think Sacred Heart is a break. They crushed Dartmouth. Northeast Conf. has had its way against the Ivies this year
A majority of the runs were outside. A few inside when the rushing line was in. Biggest problem with regard to the run was no outside containment. They need to be bumping the receivers on the line more disrupting those long patterns and taking away the short passes. Playing them off 10 yards cost us again. Keeping the defense on the field too long was another issue. Offense needs a power back and more imagination on the running plays. They are loading the box and our smaller back is not going to run up the middle. How about some counters or reverse direction plays. Sweeps weren’t working because they were shadowing the QB looking for them. A couple screen plays worked, but, unlike us they had LBs back that picked that up limiting the yards gained. Poor passes and dropped passes killed us also. My suggestion is to look at the plays they ran against us and use a few.
To the poster talking about Childress, I am guessing he is playing JV for the field time. He didn't show much when he was in at Albany. Get off the kid. You are putting too much pressure on him strictly because of who his dad is. If he was showing the superstar level of play you mention (not realistic for anyone in the Ivys) he would have been a starter from day one.
Is this really going to be an 0-10 season for the Varsity squad? That would be an absolute shame...there is talent. In disbelief.......
<> A last-second field goal for the win is "crushed"?
They are loading the box because they think that Beackett cannot throw the long ball. Nelligan can catch the ong ball. Let's see what he can do agaist SH.
If I remember correctly, Andrada made a terrific downfield grab in the spring intra-squad game--over-the shoulder grab on the right sideline against very good coverage. Unless, I'm missing something, it seems logical for the Lions to use Nelligan and Andrada in varsity games asap.
Fordham defeated us with a freshman quarterback and two freshman wide receivers, one of whom scored on a 60 yd pass reception. Princeton defeated us with a freshman running back who made a huge run and a freshman wide receiver who made a long TD reception. Seems like everyone is using freshman skills players, but us. Why is that?
Thanks to the poster who provided information about the junior varsity game against Princeton. Among other valuable things, he or she mentioned that sophomore running back, Griffin Lowry, scored a touchdown. Tell us hungry Lion Fans, some more, please. From what I've heard in the past, Lowry, has the potential to be an outstanding running back in the Ivy League, but has been injured.
Last play for Columbia,4th down, sideline pass, no 1st down. With no less than 2 other unchecked players wide open in midfield.
Should Norries Wilson take over the play calling duties at this point?
Now is the time to launch the OC. Offense is too random, no scheme. We still have time to regroup and present an offensive scheme by the next Ivy League game. Let Norries install the minnesota offense he knows, we have the players for it and a shot in the arm will do us some good. This is team with athletic, smart players that want to win. Motivate them offensively and things will change. If things don't change, things don't change!
Wilson should fire OC and take over play calling. Put in some frosh. If Brackett injured, use Bell or Prince vs SH. Time to make changes to save the season
THE DISAPPEARANCE OF GERST NOW THAT HES HEALTHY IS A GREAT MYSTERY...
Once again, saying that Norries is the best of the worst (CU Football) is NOT a compliment! If he's smart (I know, BIG "if"), he keeps Marino, fires him at the end of the season, only to save him for another year.
Option B: Jake creates a Blog Fund to buy out Norrises' contract. In essence, we would be SUPPORTING the team, and our sanity.
A MYSTERY TO WHO ??? Just maybe the coaches feel he' not the player that you think he is. thats just something to think about. The coaches see him at practice we don,t.
The last poster is correct. We all know that the current staff is "coaching-challenged", but from a production standpoint (and yes, what THEY see in practice), he hasn't distinguished himself yet. Its been 3 years and we haven't seen much. The Princeton backs (#20 and #26), on the other hand, were far superior to anything we had on the field, and their O-Line was equally as bad! Maybe it is time to move on and focus on kids who can mark a difference. Not all High School football players translate to good College players - even with D-1 offers. Press releases and YOUTUBE highlights don't translate to yards in college.
Awful tough to distinguish your self when you get 3 carries...Gerst has already proven when healthy he is a good back...Now that hes healthy lets see what he can do..He gets 8 carries for 53 yds against Albany and then doesn't touch the ball against Princeton...Get the kid 15-20 touches so he can get a rhythm.
Fair point, but no back is getting 15-20 touches. Why doesn't Gerst return punts/kos if they're not going to use him in the backfield?
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