Split Decision

Ryan Young clutches the Lou Little Trophy

 Columbia 35 Georgetown 24

Why Columbia Won

The Lion offensive attack was potent throughout most of the game, especially in the clutch. That, and stellar special teams play, provided enough spark to overcome Columbia's woes in pass coverage.

Why Georgetown Lost

The Hoyas either turned the ball over, committed untimely penalties, or allowed big special teams plays every time they seemed poised to take control of the game. The Georgetown defense also couldn't stop the Lion running attack when it really mattered. 

Key Turning Points

-With 8:50 left in the 1st quarter and both teams doing little on offense, the Lions took over on their own 36 and QB Joe Green promptly threw a deep ball to WR Wills Meyer for a 46 yard play on 1st down. Three running plays later Columbia had the first TD of the game and early control of the contest. 

-Still up 7-0, the Lions next possession started at their own 15 with 4:41 left in the first frame. This time Columbia ran on the first play, and RB Dante Miller took it down the East sideline for 63 yards. The Lions mixed the run and the pass to gain the final 22 yards and took a 14-0 lead in what seemed like it was going to be a rout. 

-After Georgetown got back into the game with a long TD drive to make it 14-7, KR Will Allen returned the ensuing kickoff 97 yards for a TD in what seemed like another knockout blow for the Hoyas.

-With 10:00 left in the 3rd quarter and Columbia's lead trimmed to 21-17, P Drew Schmid nailed the Hoyas at their own 2 yard line with a well-placed 48 yard boot. But Georgetown still mixed the run and the pass brilliantly and got all the way to the CU 30. But on a 1st down rollout play from there, Hoya QB Pierce Holley made his only big mistake of the game and threw a pass picked off by Lion S Ben Mathiasmeier who ran the ball all the way back to the GU 8. 55 seconds later it was 28-17 Lions.

-But the Hoyas still did not back down. Now down by just 28-24, Holley marched Georgetown back into Columbia territory with about 9 minutes to play. But on 2nd and 7 from the CU 44, Hoya WR Naleem Kearney was flagged for a crucial offensive pass interference penalty on a play where GU also had an illegal man downfield. The flag stifled the Hoya drive and they were forced to punt. But on the ensuing CU possession, Georgetown committed a crucial defensive holding penalty on a 3rd down and 14 for the Lions at their own 28. Columbia never looked back and used mostly running plays to cover the remaining 62 yards for a TD drive that finally sealed the game.

Columbia Positives

-Columbia got clutch running again, racking up 227 net yards on the ground and 5.5 yards per carry. RB Ryan Young had several clutch runs to go along with Miller's spectacular 63-yard dash. Newcomer Ty'son Edwards showed impressive bursts of speed, and got his first TD of his collegiate career as well.

-"Clean Joe" Green had another clean game at QB with no picks and no real mistakes. His long ball to Meyer was a thing of beauty even if he never tried that particular weapon again in the game.

-After coming so close so many times in his career, but never returning a kickoff all the way, Will Allen finally got one for a score. He's as dangerous as starting KO returner Mike Roussos, period. 

Columbia Negatives

-Columbia's pass defense was weak, especially on key 3rd down situations. With starting GU QB and team leader Joseph Brunell out, backup Pierce Holley did throw a number of very accurate balls, but sometimes the Lion D made it too easy for him.

-In addition to the missing Roussos, QB Gabriel Hollingsworth was nowhere to be seen on the field or on the sideline.

Columbia MVP

-There were a lot of candidates for the honor this week. But the play that really seemed to save the game was the big interception and return by Ben Mathiasmeier. He picked off another pass later in the game as well.