Punchless

Ajala and Jones had a highlight reel afternoon


Fordham 49 Columbia 7


Why Fordham Won

The Rams offensive numbers were impressive, but the defense won this game by totally neutralizing any real threat that Columbia would score. The meaningless TD at the end of the game notwithstanding, the Fordham D held CU to just 2.3 yards per rush and just 165 total yards.


Why Columbia Lost

In addition to the offensive offense, the Lion defense was big play prone through the air. WR's Sam Ajala and Tebucky Jones torched the Columbia secondary, even on plays where QB Michael Nebrich was pressured and/or did not deliver a crisp pass.


Key Turning Points

-On Fordham's second possession of the game and the score still 0-0, the Rams faced a 3rd and goal at the CU 3. On that play, Nebrich tossed an ill advised pass right to CB Malcom Thaxton in the end zone. Somehow Thaxton didn't catch it, and he had a lot of clear sailing in front of him. The pass fell harmlessly incomplete. The Rams dodged the bullet, and got a short FG on the next play.

-With time running out in the 1st half and Columbia still within striking distance down 14-0, Fordham WR Tebucky Jones made a spectacular one-handed grab of a slightly overthrown pass for a 51-yard TD. The game was over pretty much right there.


Columbia Positives

-When was the last time you saw a team lose by six touchdowns and still not commit a turnover? You just did.

-There was good pressure on Nebrich most of the day. While DT Niko Padilla is being double-teamed, players like Toba Akinleye, (two sacks and 11 total tackles), and Max Keefe, (seven total tackles, two for a loss), are showing ability to take advantage.

-The offensive line was marginally better. No sacks were allowed, but the super-quick passing scheme was mostly responsible for that. Still, any improvement up front is appreciated.

-Freshman Chris Schroer lived up to his advance billing as a playmaker. He could become a great weapon as a receiver coming out of the backfield.

-The blocked FG by Brock Kenyon, was a nice highlight that became even more fun when Fordham PK Michael Morando did his best Garo Yepremian impression and threw an embarrassing "pass" that Trevor Bell intercepted.  


Columbia Negatives

-Fordham's receiving corps is spectacular, but Columbia's secondary play was a big disappointment. Even when regularly pressured, QB Michael Nebrich had many wide open receivers to choose from all day. There are still way too many DB's losing site of the ball in the air.

-Columbia's WR's still have a case of the dropsies. It's hard to take Head Coach Pete Mangurian's words about better discipline and preparation seriously when our receivers still drop 5-6 catchable balls every Saturday.

-The run defense did not give up the big play to super RB Chase Edmonds, but it didn't matter. He still ran for 175+ yards and there was never any doubt who controlled the line of scrimmage on short yardage plays.

-The quick-passing offensive scheme is not a bad choice, but it shouldn't be confused with a really potent attack. We're passing the ball quick to avoid testing our pass protection abilities. There's also never a chance in Hell that QB Brett Nottingham will ever run the ball, giving opposing defenses a big gift of being able to concentrate their efforts elsewhere. This offensive scheme is a "not to lose" as opposed to a "win" strategy.

Columbia MVP

Toba Akinleye's two sacks and generally good play provided some rare excitement for CU fans during the game. The junior from Brooklyn has the makings of a hometown hero.


WHERE WE STAND

-The Columbia losing streak now stands at 12 games and is close to becoming the longest since the infamous 44-game losing streak of 1983-88. (The longest since "The Streak" is 13 in a row from 2007 to the middle of 2008).

-There is still no running game.

-Fordham is possibly the best team Columbia will face all season, but the improvements we saw Saturday are just not enough to create any optimism.