Columbia 31 St. Francis 14
Why Columbia Won
The Lions made their worst mistakes on both offense and defense in the first five minutes of the game, and then took control of the game. Special teams turned what would have been a tight game into a comfortable three-score win.
Why St. Francis Lost
The Red Flash couldn't put together a balanced enough attack, rushing for just 71 yards and getting just 12 1st downs. The defense played well enough to keep St. Francis in the game until the 4th quarter, but allowed two big plays and could not maintain the early pressure it established on the Columbia QBs. The Red Flash also had no answer for the Lion return game.
Key Turning Points
-Trailing 7-0 with 11:20 left in the 1st quarter, the Lions got back into the game with sophomore RB Ryan Young's dash right through a big hole up the middle for a 65 yard TD. Up to that point, CUs O-line looked lost.
-With 3:31 left in the 1st and down 14-7, sophomore QB Ty Lenhart came in for a series and ignited the Lions with a 19-yard run on the second play of the possession. Two passes to senior WR Josh Wainwright netted two more 1st downs, and Lenhart took it in himself for a four -yard TD to tie it up at 14 with 1:32 left in the quarter.
-With about 11 minutes left in the half and the score still tied at 14, Lenhart found senior WR Ronald Smith for a nifty 61-yard catch and run that gave the Lions a 1st and goal at the one. Sophomore WR Mike Roussos launched himself into the end zone from there and Columbia had the lead it would never give up.
-St. Francis looked like it might answer right back as it mounted a drive on the ensuing possession that took the Red Flash as far as the Lion 32. But a 3rd down and 2 pass play was broken up by senior CB Ben McKeighan and a 4th and 2 screen pass was dropped by SFU RB Avery Milner.
-Columbia failed to add to their 21-14 lead throughout most of the 3rd quarter, until the Lions began a drive at the Red Flash 49 with 3:41 left in the 3rd. When the drive stalled at the SFU 32, Columbia brought in freshman Kicker Alex Felkins who calmly drilled a 50-yard FG to give the Lions a 24-14 lead.
-After junior Punter Drew Schmid pinned St. Francis at its own one yard line with 8:23 to go in the game, the Lions defense forced a three-and-out and Roussos returned the ensuing punt for a 56-yard TD to ice the game.
Columbia Positives
-The Lion special teams picked up right where they left off last season and may have even kicked it up a notch. In addition to his punt return for a TD, Roussos had several strong kick off returns, Schmid consistently pinned SFU inside its 20, and Felkins looked perfect on kickoffs and PATs in addition to his 50-yard FG.
-Columbia brandished an embarrassment of riches when it comes to offensive weapons. Young, sophomore Dante Miller, and junior Broderick Taylor all looked formidable at RB, and eight different receivers caught passes.
-The defense notched four sacks and eventually knocked SFUs excellent QB Josh Brown out of the game.
-The offensive line eventually found its footing and only allowed one sack.
-Playing without starter Justin Woodley, the linebacking crew had a strong game. Sophomore first-time starter Cam Dillon led the team with 10 tackles and a sack, while Woodley's replacement senior Jalen Williams, made a number of key plays. Senior co-captain Michael Murphy had a strong game. Both Dillon and Murphy left the game briefly with injuries, but both returned looking strong.
Columbia Negatives
-The offensive line did do well enough in pass protection overall for junior QB Josh Bean. Bean looked very rusty, as one might expect after not playing since last October. He did convert some key 3rd down passes later in the game, but the Lions vertical passing game didn't get off the ground too much in this game.
-Columbia had too many drives stall inside SFU territory.
-The disastrous beginning of the game was relatively easy to overcome, but almost every other team on the CU schedule will be harder to defeat in a similar scenario.
Columbia MVP
-Magic Mike Roussos picked up where he left off last season and delivered as a returner, receiver, and even a runner. He looks like an x-factor that could make a difference in a lot of games to come.
16 comments:
Glad to hear about Woodley; any word on Rose? AS far as the vertical passing game, unless we start to show one we will be facing 8 in the box.
Didn't SF's starting quarterback go out fairly early, never to return?
No, he didn’t get knocked out until later in the game.
Jake’s comment echo the views of the Lion contingent who schlepped out there. I have a few additional “offensive” comments:. I’n a nutshell, our offensive play calling continues to be a real weakness:
1-we didn’t throw the ball downfield to any of our speedy WRs and RBs. We have the weapons, we need to use them.
2-We continue the futility of last season by trying to run up the middle on every first down. The results speak for themselves— too many second and 9s ( Yes, Young's TD was on 1st down run up middle, but it’s more important to establish a ground. Game and keep the D off the field rather than hoping for a big breakthrough run.
3-Why not have Bean throw some short safe passes to start off the game and his comeback. His INT was a 30 yd throw down middle of field in traffic. A real tough throw under any circumstances.
4-The O line didn’t help our QBs either/- lots of hurried throws. Things might have been different if we throwing in 2 and 6 rather than 2 and 10.
Two biggest takeaways: Our extraordinary special teams and the punishing team tackles by our LBs and DBd thru out game.
1-
A Few Thoughts:
*Bean's forte is running, but he can't do that because he might suffer another concussion. Ty is far and away a better passer. And what about Davis and Foreback, even Caden Bell?
*Two years ago, Wainwright and Smith were arguably the two best wide receivers in the League. They both won games for us then. Now they're back, but with the exception of that one long reception--which, by the way, Ty threw--that Smith took to the one-yard line,their stellar play was never seen.
*With the exception of Ryan Young's tremendous run up the middle for a 60+ yard touchdown, as an earlier poster already noted, Columbia had no other success running up the middle.
*Roussos and Felkins: Roussos is simply magical. And Felkins, who seems to have replaced Orstein, is simply incredible! A 50-yard field goal, from a freshman! (I remember Orstein as a freshman connecting on 4 field goals in the rain to beat Dartmouth singlehandedly.)
*And Schmid made everyone of his punts count, both long ones and those inside the twenty.
*I too would like an update on the status of those players who are injuried.
I agree strongly with Peter Stevens' comment #1... We hardly ever throw the ball downfield.. This has been a frequent complaint of mine for years... In fact since Fabish has been the offensive coordinator... I know that Coach Bagnoli likes to play control ball AND has been very successful ( How is that for understatement) but take some chances once in awhile... Inside enemy territory, bogged down, let the kicker attempt more!...As to the passing game throw a deep post to Smith/ Wainwright too.. Like in the last Home Coming game against Penn...Jake with another right on analysis of the game... Pointed out all the strengths... LBs were fantastic AND Coach Bagnoli utilizing the depth so well! Any kudos for Coach Ferraro? He continues to do a stellar job with the D! Special teams are truly special! Robert Pelletreau
Dante Miller has been running inside-why? He has the speed to turn the corner. Bean did not have a good game but we need to give him some time to shake off the cobwebs. Right now the offense looks better withLenhart. We will not scare good teams until we establish the vertical passing game. And for once and for all, can we ditch that shovel pass?
PS, another DL has just committed
Question: do coaches use plays in the non-league games they will vs Ivies?
I agree with all, especially Peter Stevens...play calling is still stodgy and unimaginative with rare exceptions (such as the Wainright-Smith pass play). Not using our talent effectively, like sending Miller fruitlessly up the middle so often. OC needs to shape up big time.
The sports reporter in today’s Spec was pretty rough on our QB play, but at least Spec has sports coverage again. In any event, the point is well taken that we need better play from our QBs or else we will be seeing 8 in the box.
The Spec reporting was atrocious. It reflects that the writer knows little about football and little about reporting. The most glaring omission is failure to recount the amazing 50 yd FG by a frosh on his first kick ever in a highly pressurized situation. I also think his take on the QB situation is totally off base. Didn’t he consider that Bags just might be going with both QBs, especially earl on in the season, and giving Lenhart more freedom to run. Finally, he didn’t do justice to Allen’s pass coverage on the TD bomb. Allen was stride for stride with the WR and it was only a perfect pass and a very disciplined catch that carried the day.
Spec and WKCR are always hit or miss. When I was at CU as a student from 88-92, we had multiple Spec and KCR sports journalists who eventually become professional sports journalists or professional writers, etc. About 10 years later, KCR and Spec got the great Phil Wallace to do some great work. Jim Pagels was another recent gem. This year isn't starting out well for Spec, but we'll see.
The sports reporter apparently invites emails from readers. This is obviously a rookie reporter—a polite email pointing out the deficiencies in coverage would be helpful in directing better coverage—which is in our interest. However, one point which seems apparent is that the vertical passing game needs to improve, especially with stud WRs. Give Smith and Wainwright chances to make plays—half the time they will draw PI calls.
When will Paul Ferraro return?
Lions Fans!
I’ve read your reviews and I’ve only been watching Ivy Football for one year, going into my second season. However, as coach at the HS level and off-season specialist, I have some knowledge of the game. After watching Saturday’s game, here we go:
Offensive Line: Needs work, too many missed blocks, blitzes not picked up, not mention on several pass plays linemen sitting in the QB lap, just unable to knock the DL out of the alley (one yard off the ball).
WR/TE: Josh needs more targets, Smith has to hold onto the ball, the bright spot is Rory kid can flat out do it.
RBs: Ryan young is the back that gets it down consistently, Miller looks for the home-run to much, if you noticed all of Young’s long runs come from hitting the hole, Miller is capable as well, the jury is still out for me on Taylor.
QB: Lenhart is the guy, PERIOD!
Offensive Coaching: If the playbook doesn’t get any deeper, it can be a problem.
Defensive Line: Great job in the trenches and rushing the passer, can only get better with time.
LBs: Played well, with the return of Woodley (?), this group will be scary against the run and pass.
DBs: The returning starters done well and with McCombs as the third there’s no drop off in talent. We seen what Mathismerier was capable of last season when he played for Baty, no surprise there. However, I was impressed with the play of Colbert at FS in his first start, with no action last year.
Coaching: Well done, played down and distance and applied pressure with 4/5, really good outing.
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