Second Try

Cooper Field


Columbia Lions (0-1) at Georgetown Hoyas (2-0)

September 24, 2016

Location: Cooper Field

Kickoff Time: 2:00

Game Time Weather Forecast: 76 degrees and partly cloudy

The Spread: Georgetown is favored by 2 points

TV/RADIO

Video of the game is free on the Patriot League Digital Network.  But superior audio commentary is also free on the Ivy League Digital Network with Jerry Recco and Sal Licata. 

Columbia Game Notes

(Georgetown game notes are still not available, but here are their game notes from their most recent game against Marist)


Leading Story Lines

1) Columbia comes in with a certain sense of urgency after losing its opening game to Saint Francis and looking punchless on offense. Any slow start for the offense in this game could be indicative of more than just opening week jitters or a rough transition to the new offensive system.

2) Georgetown is having its Homecoming in its tiny little venue/2,500 seat stadium. There will surely be Lions fans in the crowd, but how the team responds to playing in probably the smallest stadium in program history will be interesting. 

3)  The Hoyas are 2-0, but they've defeated two of the worst teams in FCS football. It's possible this team is quite a bit worse than it was last year. Columbia has already played one quality opponent, Georgetown has not. 

Players to Watch

-Lion QB Skyler Mornhinweg #8 had a rough start to the season against Saint Francis. If he doesn't get in some kind of a groove, not much else will matter for the offense. 

-Columbia LG Charlie Flores #79 and LT Kendall Pace #76 will likely be challenged all day with blitzes, at least if Georgetown bothered to watch last week's Lion game film. It'll be up to them to respond to the pressure. 

-Georgetown RB Alex Valles #6 has been something of a "Mr. Everything" for the Hoyas as a rusher and a receiver. Columbia must show it can shut him down.

-Georgetown J'V'on Butler #34 is the most likely defensive player to be doing the left side blitzing and otherwise trying to disrupt the offense. 


If, Then

-If the Columbia offense moves the ball and scores in its first or second possession of the game, a significant amount of the pressure will come off Mornhinweg and the entire team. 

-If the Georgetown running game is able to make significant gains early in the game, the Hoyas will abandon their frequent short passing game and try to defeat Columbia the same way St. Francis did with ball control.

-If the Columbia D-line, especially DE Connor Heeb, is able to put pressure on GU QB Tim Barnes, then look for the Hoyas to start committing a barrage of turnovers.