Columbia 23 Penn 17
Why Columbia Won
Columbia's passing attack was potent all day, staking the Lions to a 14-0 lead and then helping them regain momentum late in the game. The CU defense contained both the Penn passing and running attacks and forced two key turnovers.
Why Penn Lost
The Quakers' Ivy League leading rusher averaged just 2.6 yards per carry, and its veteran QB only averaged 5 yards per attempt. The Penn secondary had very few answers for the Lion receivers, who were open all over the field and made tough catches when they weren't.
Key Turning Points
-With Columbia leading 14-0 and 6:52 left in the 1st half, Columbia made the extremely aggressive decision to try an onside kick that failed. Penn then executed a 12-play, 49-yard TD drive that included two 4th down conversions.
-After the Penn TD, Columbia took over after the kickoff at the Lion 35 with exactly one minute to go. The Lions then grabbed back some of the momentum with a 51-yard drive that resulted in a 29-yard Hugo Merry FG as time expired for a 17-7 lead at the break.
-Columbia began the 3rd quarter with a three-and-out, and Penn started its first 2nd half possession at the Quaker 20 and executed a 13-play TD drive to make it 17-14 and seemingly grabbing momentum back its way.
-On the ensuing kickoff, CU's Edan Stagg dropped the ball, picked it up, and was only able to get the ball out to the Lion 2 before being stopped. With everything going Penn's way at that moment, Columbia QB Chase Goodwin put the team on his back. He led a 10-play, 87-yard drive that ended in a crucial Merry FG. The key play on the drive was a 36-yard, down-the-seam pass to TE Braden Dougherty for 36 yards on a 3rd and 10 from the CU 17.
-Columbia forced a Penn three-and-out on the Quakers' ensuing possession and took over after the punt at the Lion 14. On 2nd and 8 from their 16, WR Bryson Canty made a spectacular one-handed grab for a 29-yard reception. On the very next play, RB Joey Giorgi scampered down the sideline for a 30-yard gain. The Lions again had to settle for a FG, but they now had a two-score lead that Penn never overcame.
Columbia Positives
-Goodwin was 19-23 for 173 yards and 2 TD passes in the 1st half and was a decent 9-17 for 161 yards in the 2nd half. He masterfully directed the offense in several high pressure situations. His 3rd down passing stats were 5-7 for 85 yards, 4 1st downs, and 1 sack.
-Canty returned at full strength for the first time since the Georgetown game and had his most clutch performance of his career with 8 catches for 137 yards and a TD.
-The Lions defense covered the Penn receivers extremely well all day, and never let star Quaker RB Malachi Hosley become a major factor.
-Once again, Columbia fought back every time it looked like the Lions were losing control of the game and grabbed it back.
Columbia Negatives
-The onside kick decision was a major head-scratcher and allowed Penn back into the game.
-The Lions rarely got pressure on Quaker QB Aydin Sayin, putting maximum pressure on the secondary... which it endured.
Columbia MVP
Bryson Canty was an artist on the field and proved what an extra level the Lions can get to when he's in the game and healthy.
68 comments:
👏 first win at Franklin Field since 1996! Great effort all around. Goodwin is really starting to look like a special talent. In today’s transfer portal/NIL era I really hope he doesn’t get tempted to go elsewhere. If he keeps up his current trajectory, I would have to imagine there will be several suitors knocking on his door.
Why would he ever want to leave a toxic campus like Columbia's
O Line and D line again playing extremely well. Mc Fadden with a superb game as well as Carter Mc Cray. LBs are key too... Big # 77 at tackle. All Ivy? That doesn't even discuss Goodwin and the backs! How about the play calling! Quite a far cry from what we have become used to since the mid teens. Onside kick was a head scratcher as Jake said but like the aggression . Like some wise, astute fan said after the game, " In Poppe we trust!"
Where are you New Jersey Lion?
I think we should beat Dartmouth. I think we can run the table with the possible exception of Harvard.
Congrats to the Lions for a great team win, Poppe and his staff are proving themselves to be a promising bunch. However, I remain hesitant to crown them as the permanent kings of Baker Field. Long term Lions faithful (CC ‘73 myself) must recognize that a lot of this current team and staff’s success follows the path that was charted by Coach Al Bagnoli, and of course, Coach Mark Fabish. I believe that many facets of the current team can be improved, namely the offense. I recall not too long ago, Homecoming of 2019 to be exact, a Fabish commanded offense tallied 44 points against a much better Quaker team than the Lions faced yesterday. I remain cautiously optimistic for the future of the Lions.
Well, guess what, I remember some pretty dismal offensive displays under the tutelage of that same Mark Fabish; many of which memories are less than a year old. (Brown and/or Princeton of last year.) Can we simply stop the “Auld lang syne” routine. Fabish is gone. No one is “crowning” Poppe anything. Instead of pining for Mark and his bubble screens, how about just admitting that Coach Poppe and his staff are doing a splendid job. Learn how to be a good winner!
Goodwin played GREAT! He can run, throw and has poise. MVP of the league. The RBs ran hard! The o-line was up against a very good Penn D-line, but played well! The defense across the board played well.
My concern is with the coaching…. I have no issue with Poppe going for it in the Red Zone, however, you had Penn down and out and you let them back in the game with that on-side kick. The training wheels are off. That was just a dumb call.
As far as the defense coaching, I would have assumed that after Penn ran that Tripp play with their WRs (two split out on the line of scrimmage and one two feet behind them) that we would have made an adjustment. They kept getting 5-10 yards on that play consistently. Two things… one, Dartmouth will see this glaring gap in our defense. two, we need to incorporate that play in our arsenal. The DB coach may want to stay away from a ZONE DEFENSE when they are in that offensive set.
Agree, a seasoned offensive mind like Fabish would have not made that error. I can’t help but be left wondering what if Fabish had the opportunity to see the players he grew and recruited all come to full maturity. I think an undefeated Ivy League champion season would not be out of the question.
Couldn't be better said! This means you CC 73.Learn to be a good winner
Let the past rest in peace and concentrate on the here and now moving forward.
“Crown them as the permanent kings of Baker Field.” Resort to strawmen much?
Suspect Goodwin would graciously accept any award/recognition on behalf of the team. He said in his interview on Coaches Corner that he has no personal goals; only team goals and achieving those is was satisfies him. What a teammate and what a leader!
#ProudDad
I’ll have more during the week on this great victory at Franklin Field. I am in the minority here - but we had Penn on their heels and I think the onside kick was gutsy and I have little problem with it. That it failed was minimized because I believe Penn was quickly penalized for 15 yards. While they still had good field position, we just didn’t stop the drive.
A couple people have mentioned dropped passes. No question we had several yesterday, but if I recall correctly, we have had very very few dropped passes this season, unlike previous recent seasons. Our receiving corps has shown excellent hands all across-the-board.
And finally, I’m not getting into a point counterpoint regarding coaching. However, from that first drive against Lafayette, and throughout most of this season, I have seen a totally reformulated offense, and a very refreshing mix of plays; Including a wide range of receivers on pass plays. The game plan and play calling yesterday was very good. I can only say that there is no comparison in how our offense has been operating this season versus last year and perhaps even before that.
I look forward to seeing all of you at homecoming. Let’s pack the house!
14 Million over 7 years bought us 35-35 and 20-29 Ivy and still some of you wax nostalgic for the Hall of Fame coach and his disciple. Could we have had a coach like this in 2015? Who knows BUT we have him now! "In Poppe we trust" If that phrase has copyright protection, I apologize in advance!
Coach Sto and def staff working too. Lions defense #6 in FCS in scoring defense. 16 ppg
Why cant we all just get along? My brain is big enough to hold two thoughts at same time. Thankful to prior staff for being good competent coaches who brought my son into a well-run program and were nothing but honest and straightforward with him. I can also be happy with current season and enjoy the wonderfully complimentary team football orchestrated by coach Poppe
Well said, CU football parent. I, too, am very grateful for Al and Mark and all their staff. But I also celebrate Jon Poppe and his staff's recent success. They're all part of the Columbia Football family. Let's beat Dartmouth and see how far the boys can go.
The on side kick was a championship decision made with a knockout mentality. Didn't work, so what. That type of *let's just put a knife in it* mentality is how champions approach things.
Championships are not for the timid souls who play a status quo game. Average, mediocre and ordinary doesn't take very well-calculated risks. It plays not to lose. Winner play to win, not to hope we don't let the other guys get back into it.
Courageous call. Good call. Stop nit picking.
Last play of game, we called a LB blitz which was brilliant move. The LB who executed it made a bone head play and should have been penalized for a roughing as we went after the QB's head. Believe same player has been penalized for targeting. Something to keep an eye on...
Agree. Didn’t work out, but very high potential reward. If we recover, we probably score a TD, and at 21-0 the game is over. Also sends a strong message that we playing to win 100% and we have the utmost confidence in our D.
In the past, nobody was ever afraid to play us or afraid of what we might do during the game. I think that’s changing because of maverick calls like the onside kick. You can’t say it’s not exciting to watch, and it’s certainly potentially intimidating to other teams.
Can we can a step back and maybe come up for air?
To the best of my knowledge no one on this site has demeaned any prior coach as a person. This constant defense of Coach Fabish and Coach Bagnoli is simply unwarranted, and detracts from the accomplishments of the current staff.
For whatever reason Mark Fabish was not retained. To many, his dismissal was without merit. Okay. Maybe. But whining about it, is not going to get him rehired.
One would think that the Athletic Director consulted with his “Football Whisperer”, Mr. Bagnoli, before making the decision. Most likely, had Mr. Bagnoli advocated for his protege he would now be the Head Coach.
Odds are, Mr. Bagnoli saw what we all saw last year. Week in and week out, Mark Fabish was outcoached by the opposing staff. He was not ready for “prime time”. Last season did little to tarnish Mr. Bagnoli’s legacy, but two or three, 3-7 campaigns would have.
I would suspect that right about now, Mr. Bagnoli is all smiles. And we should be too. Kudos to Coach Poppe and his staff and the Lions.
May Mark Fabish experience a renaissance and go on to a long illustrious career and re-emerge at some point as a collegiate head coach. And one day, may we say, “he could have been our coach”.
My apologies, but I am just not there yet.
Are you guys kidding me??? Poppe is doing a fantastic job. Have you been watching the Lions over the past twenty years? This team is exceeding expectations and is very well coached
So soft, watch Columbia men’s soccer instead.
Looking past Dartmouth already toward Harvard? Bad karma
I think Goodwin was excellent in both halves, not just the first half. As far as finishing off Penn instead of hanging on and defending a Hail Mary, we did have a few opportunities to do so which slipped through our hands. Specifically on the two occasions where we were in close and had a two score lead, I probably would have settled for the FGs instead of going for it on 4th down. On balance a great win over a good team, which we earned over 60 minutes. My vote for Ivy POW would go to Goodwin, but Canty is also a good choice.
Coach explained the thinking on the onside kick in his recap. Had to do with receiving team alignment.
Noah Jordan is having an all Ivy season at right tackle.
Cmon dad, I asked you to stop doing this
Thanks! I’m glad you guys chimed in when I mentioned above in the longer post my support of the decision to do the on side kick!
Sorry to bother you guys, but I cannot find any post game interview. Not after extensive search and not on the Columbia website. If there is a link to the post game, following our victory over Penn, please post here.
Not with the game on the line. You want to play reckless go to a Patriot League school. Eye in the sky…
Agree..... We need to respect people who respected us and treated us well
STFU
Zip it, doofus.
Is Mark Fabish commenting on this forum from Anonymous accounts? Im not sure why there is so much discussion about him?
Hi, Mark Fabish here.
Coach’s comments were in his always excellent letter to the Lion faithful supporters of the program. Released yesterday afternoon.
Finally, a good solid story in the online Spec—I hope the editors exhort the student body to show up next Saturday.
Alums, family members of players and fans, please respect Mark Fabish and we should all move on. Mark, like Poppe, are both decibels of Al Bagnoli. You cannot question any of their character. Please stop being so petty. I look forward to seeing Coach Fabish thrive as coach at Peddie, as the next Bergen Catholic Coach or back in the collegiate ranks. We as fans are much better than this. Keep roaring Coach Poppe!
Agree about laying off on Mark; he deserves better;
Anybody speak to Al B at the game? I was there but missed him.
I laughed while reading this whole thread then realized this is grown men chatting like this. Trolling from people who are 30+ years old and have some association to an “elite” school is embarrassing to say.
Why can’t you all get it through your thick sculls Fabish was a horrible coach who would have taken the Columbia football program to the dumpster. The players visibility did not want to play for the man every Saturday. This Effort Energy enthusiasm BS clearly wasn’t there when they were getting beat week after week. He clearly is a horrible coach and horrible person seeing his only job offer was a high school. GOOD RIDDANCE TO PERHAPS THE WORST COACH IN COLUMBIA FOOTBALL HISTORY!
Clearly, this is an angry parent. Your response, regretfully, is very transparent. Maybe, just maybe, your son was not good enough to play when he was (or still is) at Columbia. Having endured Garrett, McElreavy, Tellier, Shoop, Wilson and Mangurrinan over the years, I can assure you that Coach Fabish was not close to any of them. I would say that Tellier is a nice guy, just a bad coach (28-70 in-league).
All hail Coach Poppe with his coaching style! Just look at the way the players react to him. Watch him on the sidelines and see how he communicates to the players and the coaches. If Poppe could suit up, he would! He's fantastic! I also like the way he works the Refs. Although, NOBODY worked the refs better than Bagnoli. He would rip off his headset, get in their face, turn his body in distain, make a squinted face of disbelief, and then continue to yell at them. Just priceless...
Agreed. Move on.
Are you Sayin's dad, or just soft as charmin? Rewatched the play and the tackle was as clean as a whistle. Get a rulebook please, they're free on the internet, can't get a roughing penalty when the QB still has the ball and wasn't even looking to throw.
Thanks. I've never contributed to football. Only MBB (in the past) and WBB. Maybe will begin for football under the new regime. See you at Homecoming!
Would like to turn the page on all this coach nonsense and look at next weeks matchup. Having watched Dartmouth /CCSU feel that we can potentially run the ball successfully with the right calls , e.g.misdirection and pitches to the outside. Giorgi and Terry II are two of the finest RB's they will have seen all year. That will open play action passing and hold down the rush. My concern on the other side of the ball is our pass rush. Dartmouth protects well and they have an excellent Soph QB who gets the ball out quickly in the short passing game. This is our chance to "wake the echoes" fellow Columbians ! Please be loud at Homecoming at Wien Stadium next Saturday !
I don’t think we are designed to be a pass rush defense; our new alignment is built around a run stop first philosophy. Watch huge John Martin playing the position he should have been playing all along, basically a NT over the center clogging up the inside. And without JT we don’t have the same personnel to rush the passer that we had when he was on the filed on passing downs.
John martin has been back up NT for 3 years
John Martin was a force on Saturday with the defense that we played against Penn. Looked like 2 or 3 down linemen and an extra LB as base defense.
Let's please table the debates about our former coaches. Get in the moment here with the excellent coach we have now, which takes nothing away from anyone else, BTW. Move on.
Preach on, Jake! In Poppe we trust!
ya'll folks still speaking on Fabish are just weird. Get a life and LET IT GO. Hop on the Poppe train, it is fun here.
Zip it, tool.
Decibels? I agree with your message but am puzzled by this usage of a measure of sound
Ratelsgang.blogspot.com
Yes, indeed. For one, this train actually makes frequent stops at Victory Station. Get your ticket for Saturday!
Gotta love “soft as Charmin!”
Who you calling a grown man?
I never liked how much Bagnoli whined to the refs. His facial expressions and gesticulations were always a bit much, and he gave off the air of a very petulant child. Plus, we never seemed to get any of the calls, so his little tantrums didn’t seem effective in the least. It was a bad look that I’m glad we don’t have to deal with anymore.
I was at the game, and it looked clean to me as well.
There’s no longer any reason to give to MBB, at least not until Engles is out on his ear.
Did you know John Martin had offers from Alabama and Texas AM?
Meanwhile, Mangurian’s like, “Hold my beer.”
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