That sadness is made up of a combination of the fact that we'll all have to wait 300 days for another Ivy football game and the fact that Columbia is losing another group of talented players who deserved to taste victory a lot more than they did during their careers.
But this group of seniors is different. They've experience more highs than almost any group of players in Columbia history this season alone. And because they also really endured the depths of the program, their relative perspective is extremely positive. Plus, they get to leave Columbia with the knowledge that turnarounds are always possible for anything provided you have the right leadership.
Here are a few words about the seniors, whom I wish I could heap more praise on if I had the time and the information. If the Columbia program continues in this direction, too many of the following names may be forgotten by fans who will come to know the Lions from 2017 onward.
But we will not forget.
Not only did he become the best corner in the Ivies, he's probably the best corner in Columbia Football history. The stats don't show it because opponents just don't throw his way, but that's the point. A great talent and team leader.
An absolute spark plug who made a huge impact this season as a tackler and pass defender. His story is interesting because he has a personal family connection to the previous coaching regime, but he was still all in when Head Coach Al Bagnoli took over. His love of the game and Columbia is undeniable.
Talented receiver who proved his commitment to the program by switching to TE this past off season. Injuries abbreviated his time on the field.
Saving his best for last, Thome has a strong case to be the 1st Team All Ivy punter this season. On an already patient group of Columbia seniors, he may have been the most patient of all.
Weldon is another player who proved his commitment to the program by switching positions from WR to DB. But his best moment came in 2015 when he caught a TD pass from Skyler Mornhinweg in 13-9 very close Lion loss to Dartmouth that would have been the upset of the century if Columbia could have pulled it off.
Hill is a really special case since he is a 5th year senior who also changed positions to help the program. He turned out to be an outstanding DB who made an impact even though he was lost for the season after the Penn game. But this is a guy who endured not one, but TWO 0-10 seasons and has persevered to see his team go to 7-2 so far this year. What a story he has to tell for the rest of his life.
Anders was the man this program desperately needed to step up and deliver this season in order to have a shot at a winning season. He came through with more than flying colors. He's taken a tremendous pounding since taking over as the starter in week 3 last year, but he keeps getting back up. A win over Brown will give him an incredible 11-7 record as a starter and a .611 winning percentage. No other CU QB in the Ivy era comes close.
Another guy who saved his best for last. Schroer's last two games, where he's run for 100+ yards in each, have been fantastic to watch. Going out this strong must feel like a dream to him right now.
Became a good contributor on special teams, which always seems to me to be amazing proof of commitment in a player who sticks with the program for four years.
Became an important piece of the puzzle in the midst of all the linebacker injuries this season. The simple fact is that it's a good thing he stuck around.
Another guy who was willing to bounce around at different positions to help the team. His brother Garrett DeMuth '15 played through the tough times and did see the turnaround Turner has as a player.
A very talented player who just never got a chance to show what he could do because of injuries.
Had the hard luck of playing during an era of very talented defensive linemen for Columbia. But he stayed on the team and contributed.
Gutty LB who got into some games and made a nice impact over the years.
Another guy who had to squeeze through a very talented corps of D-linemen during his playing era. But he and his brother Nick '15 were great contributors to the program.
Worked his way up to become a stater on the O-line at the end of the 2016 and started throughout this magical season for the Lions.
Stuck with the program through the losses and the lack of playing time. But what wouldn't most of us give to at least be in uniform and on the sidelines during this season?
There's a lot to say about a four-year starter on the O-line. It's such a rare achievement at any level of college sports, but especially in the Ivy League where we don't see such game-ready blue chip recruits at that position. Wales has seen and done it all.
The biggest player on this team for years helped on the O-line on several occasions.
Another player who stuck it out despite not getting playing time. Football programs can't exist without people willing to play this role.
Made a big impact on the O-line and lots of playing time.
Charlie is expected to come back for a 5th year, but just in case it's important to mention how much he has meant to the program already. He too started often as a freshman and fought through the tough years.
Stuck with the program and did get a little playing time. His family has been a loyal positive to CU as his brother Ben '12 also played for the program.
A good TE that I thought would get more playing time in the end.
Perkovic has been a stalwart of the defensive line since his breakthrough game as a sophomore in the 2015 season opener against Fordham. He will be missed.
Probably the most intimidating looking player on the CU defense for years, he made an immediate impact as a freshman and really blossomed over the last two seasons.
Broke out with a strong performance in the 2016 spring game and has been a starter ever since. It was especially gratifying to see him score a safety in the Cornell game this past Saturday.
Tough player who stuck it out among his very talented fellow D-linemen.
Developed into one of the most feared D-linemen in the Ivies and a team captain. Made key plays in several wins, especially the 2016 victory at Wagner. NFL scouts have shown a real interest as well.
Did a solid job as the kickoff specialist and persevered as a freshman starting placekicker during a rough 2014 season.
Big DT who stuck it out in that crowded group of talented D-linemen.
Another survivor who stuck with the program.
4 comments:
Very nicely done and it was also so deftly verbalized. And properly hails the whole crew for sticking it out. If Mangurian had any class (but I doubt strongly he does), he would thank you, Jake, for saying so well what he will probably never get around to. (Wherever he winds up.)
Jake, although he never shows up as defensive player of the week, or even on any weekly honor roles, I think that Cameron Roane is not only the best corner in the IL, he is the best corner that I have ever seen in the IL. IMHO, he should be the defensive player of the year because he effectively shuts down one side of the field. The job he did on Harvard's Justice Shelton-Mosely was just a work of art. The reason why he never picks up weekly honors is because as a general rule nobody wants to challenge him.
thank you Jake!
Jake, can w enow assume that Flores will be back for another year? Any other potential fifth year seniors?
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