Trevor McDonagh
Of all the valleys Columbia football fans have had to endure over the last 50 years, this one feels especially low.
Losing an opening game to a stellar Fordham team by 45 points was not easy, but the possibility had to be expected considering how strong a team the Rams had become.
But losing Brett Nottingham, the most significant transfer ever to come to the Lion program, for the remainder of the season seems especially tragic, even cruel.
Throw in the loss of Seyi Adebayo and it's hard for even the most ebullient optimist to find a silver lining.
But we do have a lot of questions.
Nine games of our 10 game season remain. All seven Ivy games remain. Even without Nottingham and Adebayo, is this an 0-10 team? So far, all seven other Ivy teams and the two remaining non-conference opponents all look decidedly better than CU. Can the Lions prove that to be wrong?
Trevor McDonagh is now the starting QB. Can the Columbia O-line learn to protect him?
Will the coaches adjust their game plans based on these personnel losses?
Will the fans show up in any decent numbers this Saturday vs. Monmouth?
I'll still be at all the games of course. As much as I always want us to win and cannot tolerate those who are okay with losing, the decision to go or not go to CU games for me is never decided based on whether the Lions are expected to win or not.
It's about supporting true student athletes, and watching football in a safe, friendly environment.
I don't expect that to ever change.
The athletic administration be damned. The academic administration be damned. No one comes out to the games to root for them. Whether they realize it or not, it's not about them.
So, play on.
19 comments:
I still support the Lions. As to scheduling Fordham any longer, just look at the FBS scores over the FCS teams Saturday. Somewhere around 4 FBS scored over 70 points. Rivalry or not, geographic proximity or not, there is a gap when playing a scholarship team and it will only widen.
When did the injury to Nottingham happen?
GO TREVOR!!! We are all behind you and the team! You can do it!
And for the person who said he no longer will come to the games... SHAME on you! These kids deserve your support. They are working very hard to prove they are winners on the field as well as off of the field.
Parent of football player
This can be a rallying point. We still have talent. Spec should run an editorial urging students and faculty to show up and support our guys. They deserve it. And how about Lee Bollinger showing his face. I think we'll be OK. We have a great RB. McDonagh has a lot of ability and knows our system. Let's tailor the game plan to short passes, a two back set with a run game, and three step drops to get the ball out in a hurry. The OL is better at run blocking than at maintaining pass protection. On the defensive side we will play better. A lot of Fordham's points were scored off of special teams fiascos. Finally, I really think we should flood Murphy with emails demanding that we drop Fordham. They are an all scholarship team now. They can and will admit guys who we could never touch in a million years.
Thanks Jake, you are correct. I'm sure morale in the locker room must be a little low . We really need to support this team now more than ever. Bring your voices to the game, please don't sit there and act like YOU have been let down. The team hears the silence. Lets change this tradition of sitting in the stands sulking. Come prepared to cheer these guys on. I know they will appreciate it.
It's very, very likely the coaches will make adjustments, Jake. Why would anyone guess they wouldn't!!!
BWAAAAHHHAAAAAA....Support? With supporters like you whiners, who needs critics (or proctologists)?
Hey anonymous, when there's not a whole lot going your way, you offer support! That's all this is about, so quit with your BWaaaH( whatever that means). The team doesn't need negativity like you!
Those of us who are true supporters feel the same way about Columbia Football that Jake does. Its about watching a group of men represent the College in the sport we enjoy most,underdog or not.There is a tradition of excellence and success on the gridiron out there. Some of us fell in love with the light blue a long time ago. So we'll be there with leather lungs every Saturday all season long.
Nothing changes, ever.......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5nYO-Cdej0&feature=youtu.be shows Nottingham falling on his wrist, for which he had surgery Sunday, says the voice.
Said video discusses Adebayo''s injury.
What part of game did that happen?
Pic of Trevor reminds me of young men the same age that give their lives fighting for our country. Let's lighten up a little.
Jake, you lost me on your last point. You think the athletic administration should be damned because they think the football games are about them, and people come to root for them? Where did that come from?
It's a shame to lose these two young men for the season. My heart gets out to sheiya and his family. He must be heartbroken. Also to the Nottinghams. Taking a chance to go cross country and help a team. That takes courage.
As for those who will turn their backs on all these young men you are pathetic. Remember that these student Atheletes are the only ones capable at the university f doing what they do. Many wash out or cannot handle studies and rigors of football. These are the only men that can do both.
See you next week Lions!
Unfair and unlucky for Nottingham but it is next man up.
Looking ahead, if they do end up keeping Mangurian beyond this season let's hope a plan is in motion to beef up that OL with speed and talent (I know, same old story every year). If all else fails, give Kelly Hilinski the ball but not in front of this line. Enough is enough, make this the focus on the recruiting. There has to be talent in front of the QB.
Doesn't Mangurian have a 3-year contract?
Of course, whoever is the coach, QB will want a better OL!!!
I think that McDonagh is a good player . He has a good arm and knows the system. I assume that Monmouth will try to put pressure on him early and often. That should result in a different game plan than last week. I would like to see either a FB or an H back line up next to Garrett. I would like to see more short stuff over the middle or in the seam to Garner, more screens and bubble screens to Garrett, and a lot of Garrett, who ran hard and well against Fordham. As far as our defense, generally they didn't play too badly in the first half but were clearly gassed in the second half, especially following the horrific special teams fiascos.
All good points on a gameplan.
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