Harvard 21 Columbia 14
Why Harvard Won
The Crimson overcame a horrendous start by pulling their starting QB and putting together a coherent offensive attack. Meanwhile the defense created some key turnovers and held Columbia to no points on two crucial opportunities inside their own 10 yard line in the 2nd half.
Why Columbia Lost
The Lions choked on several scoring opportunities and couldn't put Harvard away early. Spotty pass protection and penalties hurt as well.
Key Turning Points
-With Columbia already ahead 7-0, it appeared the Lions had extended their lead to 10-0 on the first play of the 2nd quarter after Oren Milstein's 34-yard FG. But the kick was waived off due to a penalty and the subsequent attempt never happened after a too-high snap.
-With 7:29 left in the 1st half, Harvard replaced starting QB Jake Smith with senior Joe Viviano after Smith had been intercepted four times. Viviano's first series resulted in a three-and-out, but his next two possessions and three of his first four resulted in the TDs that essentially tied the game. Viviano finished the game just 6-12 for 120 yards, but he had no INTs and two TD passes.
-Now trailing 21-7 with 10:35 left in the 3rd quarter, Columbia began a drive that started at its own 20 and made it all the way to the Crimson four before QB Anders Hill was sacked on 4th and two.
-Columbia's final drive began with 3:24 left in the game at midfield. Once again, the Lions drove inside the Harvard 10, but could not get the ball in the end zone.
Columbia Positives
-Senior RB Chris Schroer had a career day with 125 yards rushing and a TD catch. If he can play like this the final two weeks of the season, Columbia will likely go 8-2.
-The CU defense held Harvard to just 79 yards rushing and under 200 yards passing.
-Will Allen had yet another electrifying kickoff return, this one going for 48 yards.
Columbia Negatives
-The inability to get points in all those crucial situations deep in Harvard territory was chilling.
-Injuries seem to be mounting, but we may not know the full extent for a few more days.
Columbia MVP
-Chris Schroer's effort was impressive as he needed to step up more and he did.
10 comments:
During post-game media event, AB said Murphy suffered a season-ending injury (ACL).
Jake, I would never use the word "choked" to describe this team. To be sure, we failed to execute and lost to a team that we should have beaten, but that is just too strong a word to describe a group which has time and time again risen to the occasion under pressure.
One of the OLs went out early and for the rest of the day the right side of our line was ineffective. Their left end and left tackle, playing against our right side, had at least five sacks. Hill took a beating but we did not stop calling vertical passing plays even as it was clear we could not protect him.
The FG nullified by holding really hurt. If we get those three points, we have options to kick FGs from the 4 and the 10 later on. Instead, we went for TDs and failed twice on fourth and goal.
With less than a minute to go, AH spiked the ball instead of using our last timeout. Rather than 2nd & 9 inside the Harvard 10, we lost a critical down that might have given us another opportunity to tie the score. The defense was tenacious, but the lack of QB pass protection is an issue that must addressed (AH took too many hits). Was really impressed by how many Lions fans turned out for the game & almost all remained in the stands until the final whistle.
This, as opposed to Yale, was one we should have won. We just couldn't seal the deal, even with most of the stats in our favor. It sucked.
I had a bad feeling after seeing us squander 3 picks in H1. We should have put the game away right there, before Viviano came in.
Smith's absence, and now Murphy's, are affecting play. But even so, this was one we gave away.
Next week tells the tale of a title shot and also of character. I believe we will win, but the team has to demand it.
I too don't much ike te=he word :choked.: Rather harsh usage, especially for team which remains 6-4 and still has a decent chnce to claw its way to 8-2.
Perhaps we're all justgetting accustomed to victories. Which is admittedly a sweet expectation.
And I hope Murphy comes back. Kid;s played well. Seemngly has never, uh, :choked.: Always capitalized on it when presented with an opportunity.
When the RT went down we needed to keep somebody in the backfield to block for Hill. It could have been #21 or one of the TEs lining up as an H back. In the final drive, when we started using short crossing patterns we were able to move the ball. But we still have a few holes to fill to be a complete team; specifically, a legitimate pass catching TE and a back with more explosiveness and breakaway speed. The book on us is to rush Hill on every play and to try to pressure him into bad throws. To beat that we need to go to more slants and crossing patterns. And if we want to get the ball in Wainwright’s hands let’s ditch those WR screens (or whatever we call those 20yard passes behind the line of scrimmage) and motion him more. PS, Roane had a remarkable game. Phenomenal ball skills and closing speed, although roundly screwed on one very bad call.
Oldlion is spot on regarding Roane (and CU) being screwed on the interference call on the play just before the 65 yard TD toss to tie the game. He batted the ball away from the receiver who was pushing off our guys ALL DAY!
Yes, that one happened right in front of our sideline. Horrendous call. Roane turned his head and found the ball and had his hand up to knock it away. He had at least two other fantastic breakups on well thrown balls. He's a terrific CB.
Ivy League officiating is rough, but that call was not the reason we lost. We've gotta reinforce the right side of the Oline v Cornell or it will be nonstop blitzing. And no backwards passes!
We may have to lean more on the run on Saturday. Forecast for Ithaca is partly cloudy with a high of 37. Cornelll has lost its #1 RB for the season.
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