Friday, October 15, 2021

Upwardly Mobile?

 



Pennsylvania Quakers (2-2) at Columbia Lions (3-1) 


Kickoff: 1:30pm 


Game Time Weather Forecast: 75 degrees and cloudy (thunderstorms expected shortly after game concludes)

The Line: Columbia favored by 2 1/2 points

TV/Radio: The game will be broadcast live on SNY and NBC Sports Philadelphia



Leading Storylines

1) Columbia finally broke the Penn jinx with a win in 2017 after 20 straight losses to the Quakers. Since then, the Lions lost a close one to Penn at Franklin Field in 2018 and then destroyed them at home in 2019. Anytime Head Coach Al Bagnoli takes on his old program, it's a great narrative no matter how many years it's been since he left Philly. 

2) So far this season, Penn has fallen below expectations while Columbia has basically met them. Both teams come in with a lot to prove with six of their seven Ivy games yet to play. 

3) Columbia is hoping to build fan excitement for the rest of the season with a win at Homecoming.

Columbia Players to Watch

1) Dante Miller, RB 

After his explosive performance against CCSU, Miller is the #2 rusher in the Ivies coming into this game. His outside speed may be crucial vs. a Penn defense that has strength up the middle.

2) Joe Green QB

Green will need to test the suspect Penn secondary with more throws downfield. He'll face a tough Penn pass rush.

3) Cam Dillon LB

Penn's pass protection is suspect, leaving Columbia's new single-game sack record holder in a position to have another monster game. 

Penn Players to Watch

1) Ryan Cragun and Rory Starkey WR's

Penn's WR tandem is very talented, but the Quaker pass protection has made it hard for QB John Quinnelly to get the ball to them. If that changes, watch out!

2) Prince Emili DL

Penn's best player and a potential disruptor vs. the run and pass. 

3) Trey Flowers and Isaiah Malcome RB's

Penn abandoned its passing game vs. Lehigh last week and used a full house backfield with a running QB later in the game that produced massive rushing yards and a victory. Columbia will have to be prepared for Penn to switch back and forth from this formation and the usual spread offense look. 

7 comments:

InwoodTiger said...

No bands from either side despite it being Homecoming. Not a good look.

SpuytenDuyvil76 said...

Free the band!

oldlion said...

I DID NOT MISS THE BAND. NOT ONE BIT. NOT FUNNY. NOT CLEVER. RELEGATED TO THE DUSTBIN OF HISTORY. THIS LION TEAM IS CAPABLE — BASED ON THE DISMANTLING OF PENN WHEN THE GAME WAS ON THE LINE—RUNNING THE TABLE. DANTE MILLER, JOE GREEN AND A REAL DEFENSE CAN MAKE SOME NOISE.

Unknown said...

Amen OldLion, truer words could not be written about the band.

InwoodTiger said...

Oldlion,Old lions, Daily News would like a word:

https://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/ny-edit-columbia-band-20211016-j326t3p4jjey5cgbpebszawa3q-story.html

InwoodTiger said...

Sure, they were awful. And yet still better than no band at all.

oldlion said...

I think we need to give credit to our pass defense. Nice pressure up front and some truly excellent coverage. Excellent timing by the DBs in breaking up passes and in timing hits on the receivers causing them to drop otherwise catchable balls. Allen and Mathiasmeier are playing at first team all Ivy level.