Columbia 13 Yale 10
Why Columbia Won
The Lions defense came up big against Yale's potent attack, limiting the Elis to 10 points and making them work hard for every 1st down. The offense used a mix of starters and key replacements to limit its mistakes and eventually put it all together in the 4th quarter for a dramatic win.
Why Yale Lost
The Eli offense had trouble getting any consistency, while the defense didn't get off the field on some key 3rd down plays and finally was unable to stop CU on the 96-yard drive for the winning score.
Key Turning Points
-Columbia's promising first possession of the game ended with no points when a brilliant punch of the ball forced QB Cole Freeman to fumble it away at the Yale 11. That set the tone for much of the night for the Lion offense, as Columbia often was able to gain consistent yardage, but could not get much in the way of points.
-With Yale leading 7-3 and 8:17 left in the 3rd quarter, the Elis were in the middle of a 53-yard drive with a 1st down at the Columbia 25. But the next three plays netted no yards and the resulting Yale FG try from 42 yards out sailed wide right.
-The Lions began the 4th quarter down 10-3, and they put together a 50-yard drive to set up a 43-yard FG attempt going in the same direction that Yale had missed from just a few minutes earlier. But PK Hugo Merry made his kick perfectly, and the Lions were back in striking distance now down 10-6.
-The CU defense forced a three-and-out on Yale's ensuing possession, but a brilliant 58-yard punt by Eli P Shamus Florio pinned the Lions at their own 4 with 8:29 to go. Columbia responded with a number of running plays and one pass to get them all the way to the Yale 44. The key play was strong burst up-the-middle run by RB Griffin Johnson for 17 yards and 1st down on 3rd and 7. Then on the very next play, Freeman connected with WR Bryson Canty for a well-executed 44-yard TD bomb to grab the lead and the eventual win.
Columbia Positives
-Yale came into the game scoring 32 points per game, but stellar linebacker and secondary play held the Elis in check. Other than the missed FG, there weren't really any serious scoring threats that CU was lucky to avoid. The Elis never snapped the ball inside the red zone, and were an unspectacular 6 0f 14 on 3rd down conversions.
-Canty clearly outdueled Yale's David Pantelis in a game some thought was featuring the two best WR's in the Ivies.
-Freeman threw the ball and ran better than his earlier start against Georgetown, and never even came close to throwing an interception. Just as importantly, he was clearly in charge on the field and the team responded well to him.
-In addition to Freeman, the Lions got stellar performances from backups thrust into the game. Johnson had a number of key runs, LB Charlie Newton was on fire late in the game, and the O-line allowed just one sack.
-Merry bounced back from his recent slump to nail two crucial field goals with no misses.
Columbia Negatives
-The Lions are still having a big of trouble scoring touchdowns in the red zone, and came away with just three points from their two visits there last night.
Columbia MVP
-Cole Freeman got a lot of help of course, but his performance overall was above and beyond what most Lion fans could hope for.
77 comments:
Great win for the lions have the lions won every game they were an underdog in and lost every game they were the favorite?
Where is Raleigh Erwin?
Great to see another win for the lions. As many have noted though I think it is only right to give credit where credit is due. Fabish really set this team up for success instilling strong values of a winning football team and it is great to see the fruits of their labor. If Poppe can continue to build on their legacy and bring in the same level of talent they were able to bring in, the future is bright. However, I certainly want to be careful to not put the cart before the horse and will be interested to see how the following years go.
B-b-b-b-u-t-t-t Happy Feet!
So far this season, The Peddie School's football team is 2 wins and 5 losses under Coach Fabish.
Rome wasn’t built in a day.
Lions were not favored for Dartmouth
Harvard up 30-27 on Dartmouth. Easily the two best teams in the league and what a game!
Big game next week! Then 2 more tough ones (anyone who thinks either is a gimme hasnt been paying attention. Ans Karma exists, but only in football)
H’s offense can score so quickly. DiPrima is a true headache in the redzone. I will be there cheering the fellas on
The Lions have tremendous depth at running back with Joey Giorgi, Malcom Terry and Griffin Johnson.
😂😂😂🤡🤡🤡 OK, I was laughing out loud when the Fabish platitudes started. But the joke has been played out, and we now return to our regularly scheduled programming!!
ROAR LION ROAR!!
DIPRIMA reminds me of ther Lafayette QB. So what will we have to do to beat Harvard?
Griffin Johnson has impressed as a guy who can get the hard yards between the tackles. Where has he been?
Definitely impressed with Johnson.
A 96 yard TD drive for the ages for the win ! We won because this is one tough, gritty, well-coached group of Lions. Total team effort. A defense weakened by injuries that refused to fold. LB Newton only one example of next man up. A joy watching Cole Freeman grow into his role as starter, his pass to Canty a 44yd thing of beauty. RB Johnson yet another weapon. An offensive game plan that was balanced. A very happy scene of parents, coaches and athletes celebrating a brilliant win . Some serious November football to
follow...
Yes they were
Watching Harvard v. Dartmouth was informative. Poppe and Smith know the Harvard schemes and personnel. Stopping Barkate — a tall WR— will be key on defense.
Goodbye Fabish and his predecessor! We are not going back!
Loved Newton's hit on Pitzenberger in the open field! Loved the 3rd down blitz! Brought the house! Stovall on the case! Poppe's enthusiasm has amped up the team! Fabish? Goodbye, Good luck, Good riddance!
6-7-8 wins, more than DOUBLES last year
On October 28, 2023, Yale drubbed the Lions 35-7. 368 days later, a tie for First Place. No one saw that coming!
Then again, “There is a reason the rear view mirror is so small, and the windshield so expansive. You can only advance by looking forward.”
Not to add any pressure, but there is little chance of getting any outside help. After next Saturday, Harvard has Penn and Yale, Yale being at home, so there is no likelihood of a repeat of their meltdown last year. Dartmouth has Princeton, Cornell and Brown, with the only glimmer of hope being that only Brown is at home.
It will take only one loss in the league to grab the title, or a share of it.
Let’s go LIONS! Continue to dazzle.
I think there is more than a glimmer. In FCS world, you never fully know what you're going to get from week-to-week. Plus, if Columbia takes care of its own business the rest of the season, then they will have an ivy league title. One game at a time, obviously, but it is nice to control your own destiny.
Injuries are starting to pile up unfortunately, so margin of error is getting a little smaller. What is nice is that Columbia has shown the ability to sustain drives and maintain ball control. No game should be out of reach. Great gut check win yesterday from a team that has had CU's number for awhile.
Each time we had what we felt was a big win we follow it up with less than our best performance. Again, less hype and propaganda, and more underdog focus and mentality. Every game from here on out is a championship game. Keep winning and we prove every preseason prediction wrong by at a minimum sharing the title. "If what you did yesterday looks big, you don't plan to do anything today.", HOLTZ. To the prior poster's point - Let's get our focus on what's in the windshield, not the rearview. Harvard, Harvard, Harvard. More importantly, having a great Sunday of prep to get off on the right foot. Stack reps, periods, practices and days. Win moments and forget what we've done until the season ends. With that said, if we learn from the prior feel good let downs, we win 26-20.
Key on defense is putting some pressure on Harvard QB and sealing the edge; Barkate is a handful to cover—tall with good hands-how will we play him? On offense they will probably try to double Canty; should be opportunities for our TE. Expect to see more of Johnson at RB; seems to be more of a load than Terry as an inside runner.
This team believes and that’s the message the Poppe has instilled. Stovall coaching the D is next level. Has anyone realized we’ve been changing up in game from 4-3 to 3-4. Note the only way we are getting pressure on the QB is via blitzing. Our DL needs to up their game on pressure. Doing nice job against the run but pass rush is lacking. Really miss Justin Townsend.
CUFB Alum
Agreed on pressure comment. Since DE Townsend has gone down with injury, we only get pressure with blitz on the outside. That’s a problem. Need DL to step up.
CUFB Alum
I would look for more zone blitzing when playing 3 man line. Based on dormation one of the OLBers should always be free to rush from weak side
As someone who knows a thing or two from coaching youth football, I prefer a zone blitz out of the 3-5-3 Stack Defense. Personally, I am not as aggressive as I probably should be as far as blitzing goes. However, I do love to call blitzes that are low-risk. I try not to blitz just to blitz. I try to blitz statistically. Down & distance, scouting, what hash the ball is on, and overall flow of the game will usually determine how much and where I blitz. I love this zone blitz because it allows us to rush 5 defenders and still keep 6 defenders in zone coverage.
This blitz is excellent on long down and distances. It also works very well against mobile QBs as well. This blitz sends our dogs off of the edge. They are the primary contain players. Usually our dogs have the flat on pass plays and our stack backers have hook-curl/ contain QB. This blitz just has the stacked backers (R) & (L) switch pass responsibility with the dogs. This gives this blitz an element of deception and it is a great tendency breaker.
I love blitzing
Interesting side note—-there is a Penn booster by the name of “Asia Sunset” who seems to know more about Columbia football and football recruiting than anybody on this board. He has followed our committed recruit list and has brought to our attention several recent decommitted recruits. Today he posted that one of our guys just decommitted and decided to commit to Yale.
Coach Poppe’s letter to the faithful breaks down the brilliant defensive scheme which stopped Yale when it matters. We have some smart guys on our coaching staff. PS, Coach made clear that we did not meet our usual standards in the Dartmouth game but that everybody really focused this week at practice and put that off day in the rear view mirror.
Shout out to Charlie Newton in coach’s letter-and I am not his Dad.
Charlie Newton has a high ceiling.
Uncle?
I know you hate it when I malign Bagnoli, but did you ever see so many underclassmen play so many minutes AND so successfully? Most of the time you had to be a Jr or senior to see the field! The only thing that I don't agree with coach Poppe is letting the play clock to almost zero on offense and having the defense taking sooooo long to get the sideline signals into the defense. A well coached team would use a hurry up against os and soon will.
Who keeps wanting to hang onto Fabish. Let him go!!! Poppy has done a great job! He and his staff deserve all the credit for the change. If you want to see Fabish Coach go watch that high school team that is 2-5. Quit disrespecting Poppy for the job he has done and the atmosphere he has created.
GO LIONS!!!
AutoCorrect…….Poppe!
Hmm 2022 saw 2 soph start all 10 games on def line and frosh play significant minutes. Last year saw 3 soph start all 10 games on Oline. Oh and canty and libman both played early. Oh and joe green was Ivy rookie of year, playing over a returning starter senior captain
This year’s freshman class does appear to have a lot of talent, particularly on defense. But I will continue to believe coaches play who they think will most help for a win
How many of the faithful would have believed that we would be sitting in a first place tie at this point, despite losing key starters? So take a deep breath and enjoy the next three weeks.
Just trying to help fans “keep it real.” But sorry if facts get in the way of your preferred narrative
CU back to #6 in FCS allowing 16 ppg. H not far behind at #25; 21 ppg. H’s offense is #20, CU #70
Have never seen so many posts singling out play of one kid ie Newton
Good defense usually beats good offense.
"and vice a versa "
Casey Stengel
agreed !!
Our standout freshman defensive back, Carter McCray, was just selected Ivy League Rookie of the Week. Credit Jake for telling us about McCray weeks ago.
Bryson Canty is a dynamic player who should be a high NFL drft pick
Bingo - enough about this kid. Next.
Three wins to an Ivy title - that’s the players’ mindset. Biggest obstacle - Harvard. This is THE game of the year. Focus boys!
Columbia FB Alum
Agree with the prior poster--Columbia vs. Harvard is clearly the Ivy League Game of the Year.
Is there a way to find out which NFL scouts will be at the Columbia-Harvard game.? I assume the Cincinnati Bengals know all about him from Andrei Iosivas and the Giants from Dante Miller.
Do we
Any idea where he is on the Mel Kiper WR ranking for '25? Usually a decent guage.
Skip or Lou?
The comments on blitz techniques were very interesting. Thanks
Will we attack Harvard on the ground with our three excellent running backs--Joey Giorgi, Malcom Terry and Griffin Johnson---or thru the air with Bryson Canty et al? It will be fun to see what Coach Smith comes up with for his return to Cambridge.
Both
Take two from Brown and Cornell and mail it in at 7-3 for year one is a realistic point of view but do we lose two for a 6-4 finish ? Worst case is 5-5.
Then gear up for still another losing BB season under Engels! Earth to Pilling! " I still have the greatest confidence in the mission, Dave!"
We are looking at 7-3 or 8-2. In Poppe we trust!
Engles the worst basketball coach in the history of the Ivy League? Put him in the Ivy League Hall of Shame with the Mangurian candidate!
The Columbia Women Basketball Team eassily won its season opener by a 87-47 score over Stony Brook tonight at Levien Gymnasium. Coach Griffith emptied the bench early in the game. The Columbia Men Basketball Team edged Loyola of Maryland in its season opener with strong performances from Geronimo de la Rosa and Kenny Noland.
The girls BB team has a deep bench. Our freshmen are impressive. Potentially our best team ever. 4 are the 5 starters (Kitty, Riley, CeCe, and Perri Paige) are All-Ivy caliber. I think this year we are the best in the league.
what is the latest on injuries going into this week?
Good for Engels. great win.
Watched Lions close out last night—came from 12 or so down with 5 to go. first year Ritter looks like he will help out in the front courtDLR and Noland led the way. Brown came through at the end but otherwise will need to do more offensively.
Saw the last 30 seconds or so. With all those missed free throws, the Lions gave their opponent multiple opportunities to push the game to overtime. Sometimes you get lucky, Jim. Not expecting anything in conference from this team.
Engles wins a game in year eight (or whatever this is), and everybody thinks he’s the second coming. Guy is awful, and the inevitable injuries and underachievement are just around the corner. I wish that weren’t the case, but he should have been fired years ago. I won’t tune in and won’t donate until we get a competent coach. Football, on the other hand!!! Poppe showing everyone how it’s done—I’m loving it!!!!
You don't donate.
Women, not girls. Get it together.
Yes I do, you clown.
chicks
I wouldn't donate a nickle to Columbia
If you were a legit donor, you'd be telling Pilling about withholding your money. You wouldn't be bragging about it on a blog. $100 doesn't count.
How do you know I’ve not told Pilling already? You’re a scrub
Everyone knows
Everyone knows what?
Is that you, Jim?
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