Ryan Young
Columbia 37 Marist 14
Why Columbia Won
The Lions overcame a terrible start with an adjustment on defense and patience on offense to quickly erase a fluky 14-0 deficit. The Columbia running game dominated the contest with 312 yards on 5.6 yards per carry while the defense held Marist to just nine 1st downs.
Why Marist Lost
The Red Fox offense was unable to maintain its early long passing attack after the Lions made an adjustment in the secondary. Meanwhile, the Marist defense had no answers for Columbia's multi-faceted running attack.
Key Turning Points
-Trailing 14-0 with 6:34 left in the 1st quarter, Columbia began a drive at its own 30. Five straight running plays to start that possession netted 37 yards but the three passing plays that followed netted negative one yard and the Lions faced a 4th and 5 at the Marist 33. On that play, new Columbia starter Joe Green zipped a clutch pass to WR Wills Meyer for 18 yards and a key 1st down. On the next play, running QB Gabriel Hollingsworth rumbled it in for a TD from 15 yards out and the momentum of the took a clear turn.
-Marist looked like it might answer back with a long pass on the ensuing drive. But three plays after that big gainer the Red Foxes decided to go for it on a 4th and 6 from the Lion 31. That gamble failed with an incomplete pass and Columbia was able to continue chipping away at the Red Fox lead.
-Now trailing 14-10 with 7:57 left in the half, a short punt gave the Lions the ball at the Marist 46 to begin a drive. Five straight plays by RB Ryan Young -- three runs and then two passes -- set Columbia up with a 2nd and 4 at the Red Fox 6. Then the Lions mixed it up, and mixed Marist up, with a handoff to RB Broderick Taylor and he skipped into the end zone untouched to give Columbia the lead it would never give up.
Columbia Positives
-The team kept its composure after facing the quick 14-0 deficit, and clearly stuck to the game plan.
-The rushing attack was stronger and more nuanced than we've ever seen from Columbia in the modern era. The Lions had a 117-yard rusher, (Dante Miller), a 95-yard rusher, (Young), and an incredible six ball carriers who averaged at least five yards per carry.
-In his first start since high school, transfer QB Joe Green played very well. He never forced any passes, made smart decisions with his runs, and made some clutch throws.
-The defense took control of the line of scrimmage and was particularly adept at stopping several Marist screen passes after the Red Foxes were forced to abandon the longer passing game. LB Justin Woodley made a major impact in his long-awaited return to football, and fellow 5th year senior Ben Mathiasmeier made several key solo tackles.
-Hollingsworth looks every bit like the kind of added weapon Columbia hoped he would be.
-PK Alex Felkins was a perfect 3-3 on FGs and 4-4 on PAT's.
-The Lion play calling was extremely solid, with some real changes to what we've seen in recent years from this staff. When the run was working, which was almost all day, the coaches stuck with it but did so with different kinds of runner and ball carriers to still add an element of surprise. Even when down 14-0 early, the many newcomers like Green in the lineup were not asked to press or abandon the plan. The liberal use of Hollingsworth in more than just goal line situations was also a breath of fresh air.
Columbia Negatives
-Obviously, falling behind by two TDs in a blink of an eye against the weakest opponent on the CU schedule to start the season is ugly.
-Columbia's FG's all came after deep advances into the Marist red zone. Against better opponents, that will cost them.
-The Lions were unable to get a consistent pass rush going, even though at times it was decent. Not having 5th year Cameron Carter in the game for most of the day, (he was allowed only spot duty), was part of the reason, but against better offensive lines Columbia will have to do much better.
-The Lions injuries are again a concern, with the biggest missing piece to the team being Mike Roussos. Roussos was fully suited up, and it looked like he could have been called on if Columbia really needed him, but if he's more seriously banged up and today's sidelining was something more than just a little over-precaution, Columbia's offense will be facing a significant challenge going forward.
-This isn't really at CU negative, but this win simply has to be taken with a grain of salt because Marist is simply the weakest team on the schedule.
Columbia MVP
-There were a lot of standout players in this game, as you might expect in a 23-point win. But even though he was out gained by his fellow RB Miller, Ryan Young was the man the Lions went to on just about every key play when this game was still in doubt. Young's clutch plays made the difference.
6 comments:
Who said give it to Ryan Young and get out of the way? Good first game for sure with many positives!Offense didn't have to reveal much to future opponents.... How about Fabish using a reverse near the goal line! Thought that the linemen looked good and our depth showed... Kicking game ? More than solid... Liked the snaps which were consistently on target... Thought that clock management at the end of half 1 was poor....Game announcers were superb too.. Overall a great first game!
A quick comment on the QB situation: Judging from yesterday, it looks like Green will run the offense with either a naked backfield or just one RB and and that Lenhart will back him up.Hollingsworth willl run the offense in the “ wildcatish” formation with 2 RBs in the backfield. ((Seeing 2 RBs in backfield at same time is something we haven’t seen before). I would think Lenhart will back up Hollingsworth in that running formation as well. In any event, lots of very good options.
It was still disappointing to see the same old futile sideline screen passes to the WRs which continue not to work ( The quick sideline pass to Young which did work was not a screen pass). And I don’t recall seeing any passes thrown over the middle. Why I don’t know. Hopefully, that’ll be added as season progresses as well as throwing the ball to our RBs circling out of backfield ( especially Miller).
And It’s very comforting to note that both Green and Hollingsworth are just sophs.
Great to be out watching live Columbia football again !
Your points about not panicking due to the early deficit is well taken,
so kudos to the coaching staff and players, for executing a punishing and patient ground game that led to victory. Also props to Defensive adjustments that led to a better pass rush- however, this wont cut it against the likes of Princeton et al. But hey, it was the opener after 660 days...Would also have included in Columbia positives the play of Ernest Robertson, whose two scores highlighted his breakaway speed. A much needed target for Mr. Green.
Roussos did not play according to Al for “personal reasons”.
Number 77 on the O line seemed to be a difference maker on a couple of the long runs for TD
Where are my comments, Jake?
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