1st Test: Run an effective spring practice on very short notice. DONE!
And after four games, nothing is decided! We need a one-game playoff between the two teams for the second year in a row to decide the Lou Gehrig Division title. This year, the game will be at home for Columbia at Robertson Field/Satow Stadium.
I went to the first two games of the series on Saturday after watching football practice and every pitch and ever at bat had an intensity to it that you just don't usually feel in any regular season baseball game. I watched the final two games on the Ivy Digital Network yesterday and it was even more exciting. So don't miss the game this coming Saturday.
Now to football...
Once again these bullet points about Sunday's scrimmage are a composite of a lot of spectators' accounts.
1) The Defense Stepped Up
After appearing to be behind the offense for much of the spring, the defense looked much improved Sunday. There were lots of interceptions despite decent pass protection, so kudos are in order for Coach Jon Poppe and his secondary. Coach Justin Stovall and his linebacking crew also made a huge step forward yesterday.
DB Jared Katz basically played out of his mind. Matt Cahal and Trevor Bell stepped it up too. Their play and the improved play we've seen all spring from Cameron Roane and Colin Early added to the usual good things Travis Reim shows us has me confident about the secondary as a whole.
The linebackers who stood out were Gianmarco Rea and Max Keefe. Also making a name for himself in a positive way was Parker Tobia who is coming off a year off the team.
2) It's Hard to Judge the Offense Now
RB Cameron Molina was out with the flu and some other skill players were banged up. QB Trevor McDonagh was not dressed and WR Marcus Briscoe didn't play either.
RB Turner DeMuth played very well but was injured at the end of the game.
WR Cameron Dunn had a sharp game and so did RB Leander Cutler.
Field goal kicking was a concern all day.
Overall, it's a pleasure to see the new coaching staff quietly and effectively do its work. Spring practice is always a little overrated for the fans, because so much changes when the new players come in for training camp in August. I think the #1 goal for the spring was for the team and the new coaches to get acclimated to each other, and I believe that was accomplished.
Just sit back and consider how important that is. This staff had very little time to even make this spring practice happen, let alone make it effective. Rome may not have been built in a day, but it seems like this spring practice was by a strong and experienced staff. This is a major test Head Coach Al Bagnoli and his assistants have passed, and probably only someone as familiar as Bagnoli is with Ivy football could have pulled it off.
Now, the next milestone is the official release from the athletic department on the incoming freshmen and transfers. There's a chance we may see some significant news on that front, so stay tuned.
Oh, and one more note: former Lion and current K.C. Chief Josh Martin '13 showed up to practice Saturday and spent some time talking with the players at the end of the session. He has an added connection to the team now that his former KC coach, Joe D'Orazio is now with the Lions as Tight Ends coach.
4 comments:
If it's not too late they need to find someone who can kick. Now that the issue is front and center, they have to bring someone else in. Otherwise, big risk if they are in close games that need the FG or heaven forbid, they miss extra points and lose.
Similar reactions to Sunday's final practice. Strong emphasis in the 2nd hour on field goal kicking, which seemed a bit improved.
Great barbecue from Dinosaur Jr. at the post-practice cookout, by the way. And Niko Padilla seems like a very nice guy. What I was not prepared for was how physically slight Bagnoli is up close. But he looks healthy and trim and was very active on the field. I don't want to say "you gotta believe," but...Obviously, too, the miasma that seemingly hung over both the spectators and the team during the past season, which reminded me of the much worse atmosphere which pervaded both Baker Field and the Columbia campus during "the streak," seemed very much gone. These guys held their heads up and smiled and had a good time out there, both in practice and later mingling with a surprisingly good turnout of onlookers. (Maybe as 100 or so.)
I am a basketball guy but wanted to see how the Sunday practice was handled by the new staff. I had spoken to the new athletic director at last Monday's basketball banquet & was very impressed by him. I was not a fan of the former director.
I sat with several of my basketball season ticket holders as well as several football alumni. They were helpful pointing out the players. I wished there had been a printed list available.
I introduced myself to the coach & told him how pleased I was to have him at Columbia. The BBQ was great. I had a chance, on the way to & from Baker Field to talk to former & present players & EVERYONE was positive about the staff.
I get all my football information from this blog & hope to meet the author at some point. As a fellow journalist you have done a great service to Columbia. If you are at the Varsity C event tonight, please come over & introduce yourself. I am the guy with the cane that signs the national anthem very loudly at the basketball home games & sits 3 rows behind the Columbia bench.
Ron Kapon 1956CC; 1957 BUS.
Let's see a big crowd this Saturday for the baseball game.
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