Roman Wilson had a field day
Princeton 53 Columbia 7
Why Princeton Won
After a spate of penalties killed their first scoring drive, everything else Princeton tried ended up working. The Tigers absolutely dominated the line of scrimmage, averaging almost seven yards per play while allowing less than two yards per Lion snap. They sacked CU QB's four times, while allowing no sacks of their own. And PU rushed for an incredible 315 net yards while stuffing the Lions for minus-six yards on the ground.
Why Columbia Lost
The offense was again inept, but this time the defense also played poorly. Columbia ended up with just five first downs all day.
Key Turning Points
-After Alan Watson blocked a Princeton punt early in the game, the Lions were set up nicely at the Tiger 35. But Columbia went three-and-out and Luke Eddy's 49-yard FG attempt was blocked. Once again, it was clear the CU offense was not up to the task.
-A missed FG by Princeton after a slew of penalties deep in the Lion end of the field gave Columbia another chance to strike first. After just one 1st down, the Lions got an excellent punt from Paul Delaney that pinned the Tigers at their 15. But Quinn Epperly then led PU all the way down the field on a seven play drive to take a 7-0. At that point, Princeton knew it had the game won.
Columbia Positives
-Freshman QB Kelly Hilinski looked generally good when he came into the game and his 70-yard TD pass to Scooter Hollis was a beauty. He also seemed very much in charge on the field. But since he came into the game with CU already trailing by 22-0, it's hard to put too much stock in his performance one way or another.
-Punter Paul Delaney was incredible all day. Booting 11 punts for a 41.5 yard average and saving a TD on the blocked field goal by chasing down Princeton's Matt Arends and tackling him at the Columbia 47.
-In general, the special teams were solid.
Columbia Negatives
-This time, the offensive line was unable to effectively pass block or run block.
-The secondary was burned all day by Epperly and Roman Wilson. Wilson had nine catches for 144 yards and three TD's.
-The defensive line was manhandled.
Columbia MVP
Paul Delaney
Conclusions
Several months ago, I warned fans on this blog that CU's 2013 schedule was murderous. And it doesn't get any easier from here.
But the team has clearly regressed for some reason, especially on the offensive line... and nothing really works on a football team with a dysfunctional offensive line.
I've made enough direct criticisms of Head Coach Pete Mangurian here, and I don't really need to pile on after a game like this. The score says it all. But don't forget that most of us, (myself included), underestimated Princeton.
Right now, I'm in very serious fear of an 0-10 season.
46 comments:
First thing I would try is to go to afternoon practices. Our guys seem exhausted. If this continues for the next seven weeks and Murphy isn't canned I will officially surrender.
Jake, what YOU and the rest of these negative post-ers do not understand, or fail to realize, is that is all part of Pete's Master Plan. You guys simply do not understand the "system", that's all. He wants his teams to fail before they succeed. Going 0-10 is all part of the 4 year plan! Year 3 we will get 2-3 wins. Year 4 we will get 3-4 wins AND a contract extension. This is where Pete's genius comes to light and we are all the suckers!
I thought that you guys were smart?!!!
OldLion, Please do not surrender, I enjoy your insight! I am sure that the administration and overseeres of the program are not blind. There must be some sort of action plan set in place for the current direction of the program. If not, then we can surrender together.
-Greg Abbruzzese CC'91
Cornell still looks beatable.
Thanks Greg. Then let me change the direction of this thread. Are we tip toeing around the unspoken 800 pound gorilla, that is to say, not enough front line, superior athletes? If that is the case, or if we just don't have enough front line players in the two senior classes, what simple, positive steps can be taken over the next seven weeks to salvage something out of the season? Would immediately moving to afternoon practices help?
Last year, when I expresed my concern about the direction of the program to an influential alum (major contrbutor t the BC Center and 20 year supporter of the program), he told me to be patient. I went on to say that after meeting Coach M's on several occassions, I was concerned with his approach to the players and alumns. The response that I received was that "tough love" will prevail and we will win games!
I called my friend after the PU game and he finally came clean that they made a grave mistake. The issue that he fears is that the powers at be (Dianne, Football Committee, BC, and even Bollinger) do not want to admit that they were wrong (again) in year two. They would rather run out the contract rather than do what needs to be done.
I apprecaite everyone's concerns and posts, however, they may be for naught. We may just be stuck, its that simple. The only thing that could change the current course of events is contributions (and if fundraising falls off). Regretfully, I do not see that happening (for whatever reason).
Unfortunately, these are the hard facts. I will see you all in 2016 when we have a new coach; otherwise these are cyclical conversations. I will just save my contributions until that time.
When I was a kid watching CU games with my father (starting during the Domres years), I used to watch the first game of the year to see whether the offense was basically competent. If it wasn't, the games would be excruciating to sit through. They would not be competitive, and the experience would be frustrating,draining and demoralizing for everyone.
Wilson's years, despite their unmet promise, produced competitive teams that were watchable; and things like the elimination of the attrition problem, improved recruiting for size and speed, and the solidified JV program showed a new overall health up at Inwood. It looks like that progress has been lost - even actively destroyed - and the program has regressed to the bad old demoralized days.
I don't share the accusatory feelings toward the coaches and the administration that some here have, although I do share the frustration. They want to win as much as any of us. After all, that was the reason they let Wilson go. Whether they have the ability to do it is another question.
It looks like some of the old problems have been eliminated. Fundraising and facilities have improved, and those are part of the core of administrative support. I can't comment on relations with CC admissions, although the outright enmity of the sixties and seventies seems to be gone. So these excuses are valid no longer.
Is there a McKinsey for sports - someone who can do a top to bottom review, benchmark against the rest of the league, and identify the problem(s) and present solutions? Is a failure to match the number of quality recruits with the rest of the league, or is there a developmental problem once they get here? Is it simply a head coach who is the wrong guy for the job? Or is it simply the inertia of history and reputation? Those of us on the outside have no way of knowing one way or the other. I just hope the insiders are able to work through the situation and turn it around - again.
As you can tell, I was shell-shocked after this week's game. I can only imagine what the team feels like.
Jake it appears more freshman got an opportunity to play. #4 the QB stood tall in the pocket. #76 had several pancake blocks and no sacks. He also had no penalties. #22 may have given up a TD pass but played a lot. ESPN said the o-line wasn't bad. What's your take on the frosh and o-line Jake?
Pete's Master Plan? Give me a break! What are these players that are giving their all and have this Passion for football suppose to do, wait and watch Columbias winning season from the stands 4-5 years down the road . Your take Anonymous makes me sick , not to mention furious!
P.S. you may be a sucker,I AM not.
"#4 the QB stood tall in the pocket." What is that supposed to mean?!
"22 gave up a touchdown but played a lot." You have got to be kidding.
This year: 0-10. Next year and years to come: one-two wins per year depending on schedule, never more than four and probably much less, never the slightest possibility of a winning season with present staff. Huge change is needed in every aspect of the football program. May not be possible.
"Cornell looks beatable." Yeah, right.
To the anonymous psot-er who is furious of the second post, I believe that he wass being sarcastic.
It appears like the way to early practices are getting some supporters. Any former players out there that got up at 4:00 AM and to bed at 9:00/10:00 pm have feed back?
My recollection about the search is that Murphy announced that she would only interview candidates who had prior experience as HCs. Yale had no such constraints, and came up with Reno. I understand that we had a number of outstanding assistant coaches who wanted a crack at the job and Murphy would not interview them. I really think that she just has to go. She will milk the success of baseball, tennis, women's soccer , etc as an excuse for recent flops in the two showcase sports.
Agreed, sarcastic.
Sorry , thought you were serious. My mistake
Anonymous said: "...The issue that he fears is that the powers at be (Dianne, Football Committee, BC, and even Bollinger) do not want to admit that they were wrong (again) in year two. They would rather run out the contract rather than do what needs to be done."
I suspect that by the end of this nightmare season, the parents of injured players will have a powerhouse attorney going after CU, the Trustees, Bollinger, Murphy, for dereliction of duty in protecting players from incompetent disasterous coaching.
Once again, second season for a new coaching regime installing their philosophy. It will take time. Many of you are angry because the coaching staff and powers that be don't kiss your butts or give a rats ass what you think. They are professionals and they will get it done.
No anonymous we don't want anyone to kiss our butts. We are just frustrated with hearing how each season will be better, possibly a winning season. So far this season is worse than last . Players get a little discouraged when they practice every day at 5 am have meetings etc till late am then start classes, and have nothing to show for it. Parents whose kids play and watch this happening are bitter . So don't tell me they are professionals and will get it done . Show me!
This season might end up as the worst in recent memory. Even the disastrous 2011 1-9 season featured many competitive games, notably that heartbreaker to Penn on Homecoming. That team held strong, even if almost every game ended up in the L column.
We haven't seen that fight from the team this year, the games have been over by halftime and I firmly expect this Saturday's matchup to follow the same path. A win would be great (and unexpected) on Saturday but if they can even remain within 2 scores of Lehigh, I'll consider it a success. Hard not to when you look at the last 3 weeks.
Chris CC'93
To those who counsel "patience," are you nuts? I saw my first Lion football game 63 years ago and hundreds since,
mostly losses. Is that enough patience for you?
The Admin stinks, especially the President, the AD stinks, the coaches stink. Isn't the O- line the area of personal expertise of Coach M?
Donations won't decrease, some say here? Well, they're decreasing, beginning this moment, by whatever I would have contributed.
There's a sucker born every minute, and I've been one for too long.
Gotta laugh hysterically at the guy who wrote It's only the second year, the coaches are pros, they will get it done.
As they have for the past 60 years? That poster is either two years old or 92 with Alzheimer's.
60 years of bad football has nothing to do with the present coaching staff, president, AD or players. Read your prospectus sir: past returns and results have no bearing on future performance! Give this staff time to do what they have done most of there adult lives at some fine college and pro football programs. Rome was not built in a day and this coaching staff has only had a little over one year. If princeton fans were foolish like you guys then Surace would have been fired in his second year (1-9) and not be reaping benefits (wins) now.
Yes! Brilliant! Rome was not built in a day. But it was burned in a day! A day is plenty of time to make a huge mess. A whole football season to make a mess? The sky's the limit.
Another good platitude. You can't always make things better but you can always make them worse. We're seeing that now all right.
Maybe Mangurian is listening to Pope Francis who told a recent audience to go out into the world and make a mess! : )
while it disturbs me, i do not think the current coaching staff is going anywhere largely because we do not have anybody to replace them.
i do not blame Campbell for this whole mess. any person that donates that kind of loot to the program does not want to see it lose. i think more is the fact that he gave the others too much rope and they have hanged themselves with it as well as the players and alumnae.
it is just a matter of time. Pete is using up a lot of political capital with this fine start and his poor treatment of the smaller donors. This isnt the NFL and you cannot polarize groups; which he has certainly done.
there is no reason that the team should be so uncompetitive in the Ivy league. The pool of talent is the same, depth may be different, but the starters are not that different. i fear things are not going to get any better this week albeit i think we can score some more points, but do not think we have the defense to hold down Lehigh.
So, like forever, we sit and wait until that time when we actually get an administration that wants to win and a coach that can bring us the wins, but rest assured, we do not have that now
Personnel changes will not solve the present problems.
Either coaching, administration or players.
NFL linemen give up sacks,
Great DBs give up TDs. Big money franchises get hammered. The players from strong HS programs are not accustomed to being on the wrong side of a 50+ scores.
The whole game preparation
plan is suspect. Could happen to the best of staffs.
and your point is?
You are an idiot is the point
that is so sweet, hugs and kisses to you, but your comments above have zero logic given you say all of nothing and then say the game plan is suspect.
where can i send the box of chocolates?
To Anonymous who said, "...The whole game preparation is suspect. Could happen to the best of staffs." I think what the next Amonymous who asked, "...and your point is?" is saying, quite rightly, is that your statement makes no sense, none at all, and your childish retort is even worse. The "best of staffs" are not noted for poor game preparations, but rather for good ones. Unfortunately our staff is forging a rather dubious reputation, and for various reasons ranging from poor preparation and play calling to less-than-desirable public relations. I myself was the recipient of a lashing attack from Coach M. for sending him the post I made here about the apparent limitations of his OC. I was just being up front and trying to be helpful but his reaction was choleric, to say the least. At that time, before the start of the season, I had confidence that he would get the job done so I apologized for fear of hurting the program and have wished him only success since then, at least up until recently. But now, after watching one of the worst Lion teams I've ever seen, I will have to agree with all those who say that he is simply not the right fit. I would love to see a miraculous turn-around, and maybe the frosh QB will help (McDonagh has been a confounding disappointment, after all the kid was the second best high school QB in all of Missouri, yet appears to have no confidence out there...how does that happen??) But I sadly believe that most of us will now be watching the games to see how bad we can be, and hoping that the beat downs expedite the change. Columbia football -- "The thrill of victory, the agony of defeat" -- but alas, the first so agonizingly infrequent.
If a master plan is to alienate an already beleaguered fanbase and collegiate community of support then Pete is the master of the master plan.
Thanks oldLion! Forgive me I am skipping a thread to answer a question and offer my opinion on the program…
As an outsider looking in, I am not opposed to the 5:30 AM practices in principle. We had similar mandatory for off-season conditioning under Coach McElreavy all winter and Spring (albeit out of season and without Spring practice). From the coaches perspective, it allows for full team practice, without any (academic) scheduling conflicts (pre-med labs, required engineering courses, etc.). I have no problem with that because it maintains a certain continuity with practices. Regarding the team being too tired in the second half because of this lack of sleep, I think that it's a stretch to blame it solely on a practice schedule that has been in place for the second year now. Maybe the practices are too intense (and we need to scale back on that to save our legs), maybe just practice in shoulder pad and shorts for two days to fine tune the little things that are consistently going wrong. Quite frankly, I don't know because nobody can attend practices and see what is going on (I asked some people if I could attend and was rebuffed). This is just an observation from 1,000 miles away.
Regarding the level of talent… Forget if it’s Wilson’s recruit, or Coach M’s recruit, its ONE team. Coach M has an obligation to play the best players possible in order to win. I do not feel as though Coach Wilson left the team void of talent and I believe that we do have talent on both sides of the ball. I think we all can agree that some of the upperclassmen have shown a great deal of success in their previous position (mostly referencing WRs), yet they have shifted this year. What we all seem to find hard to believe (myself included), is that the current upper classmen are that far behind these Freshmen and Sophomores? I know when I played, and even when Des played, there were very few Freshmen who could have seen the field. Maybe someone like Bob Kent, Shay Bess, Solomon Johnson, or Jim Daine could have played, but that’s about it. These kids are just not physically or mentally mature enough to play right away. We’ve see this now for two years. This is evident across the other Ivies as well. How many Freshmen and Sophomores actually play at Harvard, Penn and Yale (minus Soph transfers)?
As far as coaching, I believe that coaches have to be chameleons of sorts to get the most out of their players. There is no one set formula that works. The days of “my way or the highway” philosophy are gone if you want to win. Within each “system” there needs to be flexibility. This flexibility must also come in the form of tools that you have at your disposal; and maximizing the talent that you have on the field. Based on the talent that I have seen over the past four years (combining Coach Wilson’s and Coach M’s recruits), we should not be losing the games by this margin; it’s that simple.
Looking over the next few games, I think we should look at it from the opposition’s point of view. Where are Columbia’s weaknesses (insert sarcasm here)? O-Line, Defensive Backs, defense against a hurry-up offense, etc. Obviously, opposition Head Coaches would go after Freshmen and Sophomores to test them – which they have been very successful thus far. As far as some solutions, I would use a rotation on defense that does not make the D-Line/DBs so tired. Second, SIMPLIFY the blocking (and protection) with the O-Line. By doing so, we will at least save the QB; and the list goes on…
My two cents OldLion…
Greg Abbruzzese CC ‘91
It's the damn internet keeping kids awake at night. Do students go out partying anymore or just sit in their rooms and play stupid video games and social networking sites
Where do you work to the person above ? We can send you emails and tell you how to do your job.
To the poster above: let me get this straight... We buy the tickets, make donations, come to games for years... And not only do we have to see a worsening product in the field, but people like you say we don't even have the right to criticize? What is this, the old USSR? I don't know if you're a player, parent, coach or one of the coaches' mommies, but how about the team plays competitively just ONCE this season before you open your mouth again? And by the way, I'm sure everyone here has bosses and clients and customers who we all have to please to keep our jobs. We know we have the right to criticize no matter what you say after being out scored 147-28.
I am a player parent
Loved your comment about emailing job instructions. Very witty.
This whole blog is getting laughable.
Just because a series of anonymous responses hit the screen back to back the responders are assuming that the responses are comming from the same person. Several of my comments have been changed around by responders that don't get my point. Than other responders react to the original comment assuming that I have
Made all of the comments. I suggest anonymous responses be dropped and initials be required. Now we are reading a jumble of misconstrued commentary.
Maybe I should have said: Loved THE comment about emailing job instructions. Very witty.
Names of responders whom happen to be family members of players will get the player in trouble with the coaching staff.
My belated thanks to Greg for your usual thoughtful insights.
Greg,
Sophomore and Senior of equal size and ability. Which one do you play if your thinking about job security?
The above comments are directed at one responder when in fact there were at least 2 completely unrelated
responses that you referred to. The "what's your point" remark was directed to another responder.
Seems like everyone is ready to ponce on any comment, even if they don't understand the message.
I would absolutely LOVE to coup d'etat Pete's job. I would leave a 160K a year job in software, push aside the politics in the athletic department and WIN. I'd do it for free despite the cost of living in NYC. I would do it to prove that it is possible to win at CU. I have seen CU games since 1980 and know this program inside and out. I also know that Pete is the wrong guy for the job because he is clearly attempting to put his blueprint on an unworkable situation. It's that simple. He stinks and you're damn straight I'll tell him to his face. GET LOST PETE. Good coaches understand their personnel. They don't blame the players publicly. Good coaches know how to succeed despite the odds.
Couldn't agree more with the Wingman. He does not know how to treat people, players and is a major loser. These guys are smart, athletic, and highly motivated. He has done nothing but bring them down. All of them.
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