I don’t see any real changes in the CU two deep other than
the accurate posting of Kendall Pace as the starting LT. Pace started last week
over posted starter Keith Ramljak, who was actually injured. Ramljak is still
listed as the backup, but I’m not sure if that’s true.
The Princeton starting lineup looks the same as well.
Quinn Epperly
Offense
Well, it all starts with the offensive line. And Princeton
has the most experienced, and most likely the best O-Line in the league. Junior
LT Spencer Huston is the most talented in this crew and it’s because of him and
his play that the Tigers have been able to do so many different things at the
QB position. Princeton has just one sack allowed.
While the front five does the hard work, “Mr. Excitement” is
junior QB Quinn Epperly. Epperly is a dual threat to run and throw and while he
doesn’t have eye-popping stats, (with the exception of his five TD’s), he’s the
big weapon for Princeton.
His fellow QB Connor Michelsen is not spectacular, but he
gets the job done and also makes it impossible to key only on Epperly. When
Michelsen is under center, Epperly often lines up as a WR or even as a running
back. He really reminds me of the Yale great Brian Dowling, (although he's a lot smaller).
UPDATE: in the earlier edition of this post, I forgot to talk about the Tiger RB's, and that was a mistake. Princeton is all about deception, and RB DiAndre Atwater's story is the best example of that. Head Coach Bob Surace basically pretended Atwater, (son of former Bronco great Steve Atwater), didn't exist. He barely mentioned him, and only did so when he was forced to do so.
I can only assume that was a ruse, as Atwater is having a good season and hasn't even been used all that much considering what he can do. Columbia needs to be ready for Surace to change things up and give Atwater the ball 20 times or so to see what he can do.
UPDATE: in the earlier edition of this post, I forgot to talk about the Tiger RB's, and that was a mistake. Princeton is all about deception, and RB DiAndre Atwater's story is the best example of that. Head Coach Bob Surace basically pretended Atwater, (son of former Bronco great Steve Atwater), didn't exist. He barely mentioned him, and only did so when he was forced to do so.
I can only assume that was a ruse, as Atwater is having a good season and hasn't even been used all that much considering what he can do. Columbia needs to be ready for Surace to change things up and give Atwater the ball 20 times or so to see what he can do.
But when the Tigers do throw, senior WR Roman Wilson is the
main target. Wilson has scored only one TD this year, but he’s averaging 114
receiving yards and eight catches a game. The secondary target is Matt Costello
who has 10 grabs and 122 yards so far this season.
Defense
Most of us expected the Tiger D to be a bit weaker this
season with the loss of Andrew Starks and Mike Catapano. But with DL Caraun
Reid back for a 5th year, no one expected the Princeton defense to
go completely soft.
And in general, the Tigers have been solid defensively… if
you take out the furious comeback by Lehigh that erased a 19-point PU lead in
week one.
That comeback skews the stats a bit and makes the Princeton
pass defense look a little weaker than it really is. Lehigh’s amazing QB Brian Bialkowski just
sliced up the Tiger pass defense throughout the second half in the season
opener, while Georgetown netted fewer than 200 yards through the air and couldn’t
even complete 50% of their passes in week 2.
The secondary has the other big star besides Reid in sophomore
Anthony Gaffney, (more about him later), who is a spectacular athlete. The
other key players in the secondary are Philip Bhaya and freshman Dorian
Williams who had a breakout game vs. the Hoyas, (but is not listed on the two
deep for this game. I still bet he plays).
But I do think the Tiger run defense is a real weakness. Lehigh
didn’t run the ball that much, but Georgetown did and everyone who ran had good
success. Here’s where the Starks and Catapano loss is being felt the most. LB
Mike Zeuli is doing a pretty good job defending the edges, but the issue is
that Reid is getting double teamed every play and Princeton hasn’t been able to
figure out how to take 100% advantage of that… yet.
Special Teams
Columbia fans remember how Anthony Gaffney torched the Lions
on the opening kickoff of the game last season for a 94-yard TD. He hasn’t
broken a big one yet this season, but he’s always on the verge. Max Lescano is
not a spectacular punt returner, but he’s solid.
Placekicker Nolan Bieck is basically a liability. Princeton
often goes for two on PAT’s because he’s just not reliable. They did try two FG’s
in week one, both in the 35-yard range, and they were both no good. Punter
Tyler Roth is just okay.
Overall
Princeton is all about deception. They use deceptive
formations, fake plays, and they try to move as fast as possible to make sure
you don’t have a chance to catch your breath. For the most part it’s working,
but it’s hard to tell how good the Tigers are overall after playing one very
good team and one very bad team.
My take is that Princeton is very good, and much better than
I thought they were coming into the season. The biggest reason is that Epperly
has blossomed even more and the PU coaches have figured out the best ways to
use him.
Throw in the facts that this is a home game and the
Princeton faithful are expecting a big win, and there should be an excited
atmosphere on the Tiger sideline Saturday.
50 comments:
Prediction....Princeton 35 Columbia 10
0-3 and counting...
With friends like anonymous we don't need enemies.
I agree Old Lion! This is a new game,the team has gotten an ear-ful I'm sure . I know practice has been intense. Can we please go into this a little more positive, for the Teams sake?
Columbia is better than they played the last 2 weeks. A strong ground game with Garrett at least 25 carries and I truly believe Columbia wins this one. CU's defense is solid and I think long sustained drives by the Lion's offence using the ground attack will be the difference.
Columbia can win as long as Mangurian misses the team bus. Can we tip the driver to pull away without him?
It is all about being competitive and playing hard. Don't give up on the kids or the coach too early in the season. If the fans don't give up neither will the kids. "When the going gets tough the tough get going."
teachermike196@hotmail.com
Whoever wrote the first and fourth entries couldn't possibly be a friend of the team. Our highest priority should be supporting our players. It is about them, so shut up already about the coach, the AD, Bollinger, the trustees, and get behind these kids for the next eight weeks. Other issues can be addressed after the season.
I agree, if we can run and put the Qb in a position to make short, quick, easy passes we more that have a shot to win the game. The defense will if course have to continue the decent play and hopefully they can stay off the field for big chunks of the game
This is how sexual abusers like Sandusky and abusive parents get to keep abusing for so long: someone like Old Lion probably told the Penn State people who wanted to blow the whistle that they weren't being friends of the team. Mangurian is a FAILURE. Dianne is a bigger FAILURE. As a TRUE friend of the team, I want them both OUT... NOW! Old Lion, how much more abuse should the team, fans and donors take before we can stand up? Just let me know when you've seen enough losses and regression for it to be okay to call out Pete and Dianne for the failures they truly are. You can wait until the end of the season. I will not. I won't sit by while another QB gets his head taken off and another game we could have won turns into a big loss.
I'm for waiting until the homecoming game versus the Quakes. We need to have at least one win by the end of that game. Otherwise, let's ditch Dianne and Mango and get Gilmore and Toal on the phone right away.
The vitriol of yesterday's posts left me sick at my stomach.
Well, Tod some fans are angry about a team that has clearly regressed. A coach who threw a prized transfer to the wolves and now we've lost him. And a slew of fellow fans who says we don't even have the right to demand winning! I would hope 69-0, 52-7 and 37-14 losses would make you sick to your stomach much more.
If you have an opinion, have the guts to own it with your name.
i did not write the last post, but i dont believe he expressed an opinion. i think what he expressed was fact as of this writing.
These attacks on Pete and Dianne are disgraceful. Pete and Dianne are professionals dammit! They've equipped the players with all the tools they need for on-field success. Obviously, if our embarrassing performance on the field isn't the fault of Pete and Dianne, that leaves only the players to blame. If only the team shared Pete and Dianne's laser-like focus on the Ivy title, we wouldn't be in the position we're in now. So let's hear no more about the imaginary shortcomings of Pete and Dianne and let's focus on the true culprits, the kids.
It's just as ridiculous to blame it all on the players as it is to identify our Coach and AD as the culprits. Certainly the team has to be a reflection of the coaches to some degree, but some coaches go on to turn it around after a bad year or two. Does M. have what it tyakes to do that? I don;t know, but I do know that I'm not as optimistic about Princeton as some above are, I think we may get killed again, they're just too clever, spirited, and talented for us, beware our usual inflated hopes.
How can anybody say those two have "laser" like focus? That just goes beyond the bounds of sanity and reality. Yes, maybe the kids are a reflection of the coach...but that aint no great shakes if you ask me.
I think the kids, like usual, put up with the shenanigans because they have to and not because they want to.
Princeton in a nail biter by 21.
Prediction: Princeton Band 1, Columbia Band 0
I'm only knowledgeable about football environs rather than the game itself, so unlike most of you guys I can't really make a serious prediction. But with this rivalry you never know. Princeton takes Columbia for granted every year, but as often as not the Lions surprise the Tigers. With a Columbia team looking to prove itself and a Princeton team feeling a bit smug after Georgetown, this could really go either way in my unprofessional opinion.
Go Tigers! Sort of.
Prediction: Princeton Band 1, Columbia Band 0
I'm only knowledgeable about football environs rather than the game itself, so unlike most of you guys I can't really make a serious prediction. But with this rivalry you never know. Princeton takes Columbia for granted every year, but as often as not the Lions surprise the Tigers. With a Columbia team looking to prove itself and a Princeton team feeling a bit smug after Georgetown, this could really go either way in my unprofessional opinion.
Go Tigers! Sort of.
What did Mangurian's, Mutphy's ardent critics think, perhaps write last year after BR, Yale wins :-)
"What did Mangurian's, Mutphy's ardent critics think, perhaps write last year after BR, Yale wins :-)"
And in English, this would read...?
a post on Voy:
"Pete Mangurian was a very good coach at Cornell and had the team competing for the Ivy League Championship in 1999 and 2000. In his second season, he went 7-3 and Ricky Rahne became one of the schools all time leading passers. After Mangurian went back to the NFL in 2001, the program went down hill for several years. I have no idea what the situation is like for Pete at Columbia, but there's no doubt the guy could win games. However, he was an intense coach and was not liked by all, but that's college football."
Yes, as someone wrote above, Princeton by 21. And as several people have noted, this is not a matter of getting behind "the kids." Obviously everyone here wants the best for the players, including wanting wins on the field. But writing rahrah blog posts won't bring it about. Frankly, I don't know what will turn it around for Columbia, but I'm sure stranger things have happened. Or at least MAYBE stranger things have happened.
Last season Yale was in a bit of disrepair with the coaching turnover. You will find this year's squad fully prepared.
Princeton is also very well prepared. I had my doubts in Bob Surace's fist season but look at what he has done ever since as a model how to rebuild a sagging program quickly. Anonymous poster #1 got it right. This will not be a letdown game for the Tigers.
So mangurian did ok with other recruits, never finished higher than 3 and when his recruits were completely at the school...he left. Cornell has been a passing team since Lazor went there and after mcniff and oliaro were there in the early 90's. There is intense, see Gilmore, and then there is just ego. And please stop bringing up his distant past, like when he was at SMU when things went swimmingly for that football program, atlanta when they had Vick in his prime...etc.
Princeton lays the smack down and the they are hiring for OT at the woodshed as it is going to be a full days work, not because of the kids, but because we are not prepared.
Also, this article forgot to mention DiAndre Atwater who will surely get several touches for Princeton.
Old Lion...your views are consistent with the problem of the administration...accepting defeat.
Nonsense.
It sounds like someone really has an ax to grind with the AD and the coach. Wonder who it is because it has nothing to do with this program and the future. Also bringing up the Sandusky thing as a comparison , What a low life you are! Maybe you should take your anger and revenge and talk to Dianne and Pete personally instead of trying to air your dirty laundry on this blog.
ignorance is a dangerous state of mind
Some of these comments have gotten totally out of control. The comparison the the PSU/Sandusky situation is ludicrous. I understand people are tired of loosing but you need to realize that these players are the most tired of loosing. Support them! They are still busting their asses every day in the weight room, in practice, watching film, all in addition to their normal class load.
I admire Jake's devotion to Columbia football but take issue with his adherence to the applicability of the First Amendment to his board. I really think that a few of these comments are not well intentioned and are harmful to our players, their families, and our recruiting process.
Sorry dudes, but the Sabdusky comparison is entirely appropriate. I am a former player who was CHOKED in practice by a former assistant coach under Norries. Dr Murphy was made aware of this and most of my teammates saw the incident. She did NOTHING and I was forced to quit the team. People like Jake who protected my privacy but tried to get something done about it were told they weren't supporting the program, etc. Throw in the fact that Dianne is a loser with not ONE winning football season to hername and I can only conclude that the people here who don't even want to hear criticism of her are either her scared employees or people who don't care about the players.
To anonymous who was choked, I am a players parent, and have heard about this incident of which you speak. I have always wondered why you did not take action and go further with what happened. You had every right. If it were my son , I would not have let anyone get away with that . I'm thinking your parents probably wanted to take it further and you did not. Am I right?
Sorry the former player has asked me to delete his comment.
Pete and Dianne's critics, with their mindless obsession with results, are destroying the program. It is this very fixation on mere numbers on the scoreboard that drove Messrs. Navarro,, Naso, McElreavy, Garrett, Tellier, Shoop and Wilson from our midst and robbed us of their invaluable services. What would we give now to have just one of those gifted gentlemen back again! Clearly, if all you're going to do is look at the scoreboard, Pete and Dianne will always look like disasters. Well, then, look at something else.
Sorry, liked Wilson, but would not give anything to have him back
It's amazing how much Pete and Dianne must hate this blog. Imagine, being called out for something as minor as not winning! Geez, they probably came to Columbia mostly because they never expected any alums or fans to care if they lost all the time! If only Jake and his high expectations for not only winning, but common decency went away, they could rest easy..,. Because it's damn sure that Bollinger and the commie faculty don't want us to win. In fact, the losing teams fit right in with their self-loathing rich white kid guilt trip world that is Ivy academia today.
That's it! Dianne and Pete are working on taking down the scoreboards at all our games do we can all stop obsessing about silly things like winning and losing! Shame on us and Jake for focusing on that and not the new hamburgers at the game.
What this team needs is some new fans... Fans that will be positive... Fans that haven't been losers for 60 years. Some people should just go away and then come back when the team is good.
The rare occasions when our former coach Naso is mentioned here are always gratifying. Don't forget: Naso means nose in Italian!
The poster above who thinks we need new fans is highly ignorant of the facts. Columbia football fans continue to out-donate the rest of the alums and every other dept. of the university year after year. Columbia fans have given much, much, much, much, more than they have been given back by the program. I assume you are a parent of a new player who fails to realize how much we continue to support this team. You'll be gone in 2-3 years... we're here for life.
I hope you'll excuse me for asking a football question, but here goes. If the O-line is having trouble pass blocking, would it make sense to put a guard in the backfield in the fullback slot? If he also blocks on running plays, he would not necessarily tip the play, and if it's an obvious passing situation, that wouldn't be an issue. Seems obvious to me. What am I missing?
Nothing... you're absolutely right. Using an H-back like Durham more also makes sense.
If we're going to change our offense every time we have a humiliating loss, what's the point of having a visionary coach like Pete?
Anyway, not all of our OLs weigh enough to play fullback.
College football is the best sport to watch and follow in the USA. Most of you guys are spoiling it for the rest of us who enjoy it no matter the scores.
Shoop is/was a bum, he was a bum when he went to school and a bum as a coach. Talk to some of his former classmates.
You guys should watch parental guidance where they play little league and no hitter is out until they get a hit. That is how some of you would like to view the team...forget about winning, who cares about the score, let's put flags on our belts and run like the wind and never win a game, bad fans because they want the team to win, coach who thinks he is in the pro's but is one step removed from the grammar school touch football league.
It is a poor workmen who blames his tools and that is what good old inspiring petey does.
How can Shoop be a bum if he is professional enough to land good coaching gigs at excellent schools?
His classmates? How about what he has done as a professional adult.
Yes, why don't you ask around about what he has done as a professional adult rathar than an amateur adult.
so Al's Wingman, according to what you said above, since pete has gotten great jobs at excellent schools and in the pro's he isnt a bum right?
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