Harvard 45 Columbia 0
Why Harvard Won
The Crimson took full advantage of most of Columbia's mistakes, with three interception returns for TD's and 28 points off CU turnovers in total. Harvard also rushed for 304 yards and an incredible 7.2 yard per carry.
Why Columbia Lost
The Lions offense was a turnover machine, actually giving up more points than the CU defense. While interceptions were the biggest problem, the Lions also lost two fumbles. Columbia's lack of any kind of running game exacerbated everything as he Lions averaged just 2.2 yards per carry.
Key Turning Points
-With both teams still getting into the game and the score 0-0, Columbia QB Trevor McDonagh's pass to WR Ryan Flannery was jarred out his hands and fell perfectly into the arms of Connor Sheehan who returned it for a 48 yard TD.
-On Harvard's next possession, the CU defense stuffed the Crimson on a 4th and 3 at the Lion 32 and took over on their own 30. But three plays later, McDonagh threw another INT that was returned by Matt Koran for a 34 yard TD.
Columbia Positives
-With 28 points in the game essentially scored by the Harvard defense, there is a temptation to credit the Lion defense with a decent game. The problem with that is the Crimson's top offensive player, QB Connor Hempel, adhered to "The Columbia Murder Rule," and sat out the entire contest. So, essentially, there were not serious Columbia positives.
Columbia Negatives
-The Lion offense is so patently bad that just playing the whole game on defense would clearly produce a better final score.
-The Lion defense is pathetic against the run. It's clear Columbia can be beaten even if the opposing team never throws a single pass.
-The Columbia offensive line appears to blatantly hold on every play... except the plays when they're whistled for a false start. The team's problems begin and end with this unit that has been Head Coach Pete Mangurian's supposed top priority. Pete is poison.
Lessons Learned
-Harvard is a great team, and there's no shame in losing to them... when they actually play their starters. The top starter did not play at all, and many others disappeared as the game went on. So there IS shame in losing 45-0 to this stripped-down Crimson squad.
-Columbia has now lost 19 straight games, none by less than two scores and the average margin of loss is now 31 points.
-With no search committee named and no other news out there about how Athletic Director Dianne Murphy will be replaced, there's a big question now about how Mangurian's firing and replacement process will be handled... if at all. While Murphy is certainly free to fire Mangurian in 13 days as I expect, how he can be replaced with an interim team on hand is tricky.
I'm fine with Murphy doing the firing, but she cannot be allowed any hand in the replacement hiring process. Ted Gregory and Bill Campbell should also be kept away from this as well. Who in the Columbia administration is ready to take on this responsibility?
3 comments:
Jake, who's the player of the game??
I just can't bear to name an MVP for Columbia when we're beaten this badly by the other teams' scrubs.
It is a critical juncture. Unless Pete and the entire staff is fired immediately after game 10 then the incoming staff will have less and less time to get the house in order and hit recruiting. Unfortunately, there is no one to light a fire under this process.
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