Will Townsend tear up the Tigers again?
September 29, 2023
Kickoff Time: 7:00pm
Game Time Weather Forecast: 61 degrees and raining
The Line: Columbia is a seven point underdog
TV/Radio: The game will be nationally televised on ESPNU with my old WVII-TV co-worker Eric Frede doing play-by-play and Jack Ford on color commentary. An audio-only feed with Lance Medow doing play-by-play and Shawn Fitzgerald '80 will be avaiable on GoColumbiaLions.com.
Leading Story Lines
1) Both teams come into the game with a lot of unanswered questions after mixed performances in their first two games. No matter how ugly a win it might or valiant a loss, the winner of this game will likely be tabbed as an Ivy title contender and the loser will be seen as a spoiler at best.
2) The status of a number of key players remains a total mystery because of some injuries and the "Non-information pact of the Ivies." Much of the game will be a lot different if Princeton OL Jalen Travis is out and if Columbia WR Bryson Canty remains on the sidelines. Oh and don't bother looking in the Princeton game notes for a starting lineup, they don't even bother to include one... though maybe omitting it is better than the outright falsehoods most Ivy game note starting lineups often are.
3) This is an important game for Columbia interim Head Coach Mark Fabish for all the obvious reasons, but there's added importance for the New Jersey native who is clearly trying to increase Columbia's recruiting appeal in the Garden State. Of course, both Princeton and Columbia recruit nationally but the Lions would like to start challenging the Tigers more for some of Jersey's best high schoolers.
3 Columbia Players to watch
-DE Justin Townsend #36 had a dominant three-sack game against Princeton last year, and he's one of those Jersey natives who chose Columbia. If Travis is out of the game, Townsend will be a bigger handful for the Tigers to handle. If Travis does play, it will be a great battle in the trenches.
-WR JJ Jenkins #8 will likely play a major role in the game whether Canty is in the lineup or not. If Canty is out, Jenkins becomes CU's primary deep threat. If Canty does play, Jenkins could take major advantage of the extra attention going Canty's way.
-LB CJ Brown #0 will be a major part of the Lion hopes to shut down the Princeton sideline screens and the running of RB John Volker. Brown will need his speed to get to key spots in time to disrupt the Tiger attack.
3 Princeton Players to Watch
-QB Blake Stenstrom #18 is a very good passer and can even run pretty well when needed, (watch for the Tigers to run him on purpose to cross up the Columbia defense early). He's especially patient in the pocket, but without Travis anchoring the O-line to protect him late in the game against Bryant last Saturday Stenstrom was under too much pressure to do much damage.
-DE Bakari Edwards #93 is a good pass rusher and a new face among the Tiger starters as a sophomore. With most of the focus on Princeton's excellent linebacking crew, he can make a difference up front.
-P Brady Clark #89 has a good leg but had a terrible time handling wet footballs against Bryant, fumbling two of them away (with one luckily called back on a penalty). If we get the rain that's expected to come Friday night, he will have to prove he's learned something over the last five days.
86 comments:
Forecast is atrocious. Put Painton in as fullback, on left side!
Our center hobbled off the field with an apparent ankle injury last week. He is listed as starting v Princeton. Any idea if he will play? I noticed that we only played seven OLs last week, despite being way ahead and having an injured center. Suggests we lack depth. The line played very well but it's a long season ...
No need to worry about the quality of the depth on the OL--our center is a is a very good player from Bergen Catholic and there are several other excellent back-ups on the OL. It should be a great game tonight.
Roads in NYC were impassable earlier this morning.
The big three Bergen County Catholic schools, St. Joe, Don Bosch and Bergen Catholic, are a gold mine since all three actively recruit players for their programs and consistently turn out excellent players. Mark as an alum of BC and a former assistant at one of the other schools should have a real leg up in recruiting, with a great sales pitch that the families can see their sons play in 5 or 6 home games a year.
Meant Don Bosco
Watch Baby Gronk #65. He is dominating his man every play
A winnable game, but not without a more creative playcaller
Lot of parents commenting on here - wildly cringe. This is D1 Football not Pop Warner lol
Kicking game is killing them
Where are Canty and Libman this year?
They're not going to win with this Offensive game plan.
How are you liking that Columbia time out?
I’m ok w it. They had the right defensive call. LB filled the gap and was there to make the play but RB just plowed him over
UGLY!
A great moral victory. We beat the spread!
Let’s see how people spin this one.
Two possesions at the Princeton 5 Yard line, and how many points did you score?
A head coach that is a former Offensive Coordinator?
Take away the interception, and the team got shut out. Not a very creative offensive attack. Did they challenge the corner, other than Bell’s naked bootleg on fourth and goal?
Add to it, some pretty poor clock management on the final possession.
I feel badly for the players.
Ask yourself, does Al Bagnoli lose that game? Does David Archer lose that game?
Ask yourself, do you lose that game?
Twenty years ago you could have said,
“They went to Princeton, on the road; first Ivy League game; horrible weather; wet balls; short week; rookie head coach; and it was a one score game” and walked away elated.
But those days are gone, hopefully forever. This team has talent. They were not outplayed. They were not outmanned.
Yes, they played hard; without glaring gaffs, except for back to back false starts, which they overcame; and a fumble they overcame.
The problem is there are no throw away games enroute to a championship.
Think of what lies ahead: Penn, Yale. It would be unfair to call any of Cornell, Dartmouth or Harvard a gimme. Does anybody envision us running the table?
Let’s face it, this was a bad loss, on national television.
Does Princeton have significantly more talent than Columbia? Ask yourself that. Kids played their hearts out
Watched the team for the first time in the flesh on ESPN. Looked forward to it. For recruiting purposes who would want to play offense for this team? It's hard to win a game if the offense can't score any points. It's also hard to tell if it's the o-line or scheming or some combination thereof. My heart goes out to all the players on offense. They deserve better for the effort they put into the game.
Their QB is certainly a lot better
Uhhh yes, Princeton recruits much better than any team in the Ivy League
Not sure it is the OL. LT reminds me of O’Neill who plays for the Vikings. RB is solid. Too many drops by WR
Frustrating loss for sure. I don't know about a "bad" loss. It's a loss. To a good team. Princeton outgained them 271-179. And were at home. If Columbia wins that game, what do Princeton fans consider it? A program-ending loss? Fire-the-coach loss?
Definitely frustrating, obviously offensively of course, but the angst is a tad much.
I looked forward to it too.
Why did we go away from Terry in the second half?
Think back to Patriots/Seahawks, with Seattle having goal to go. After Dante Hightower tripped up Marshawn Lynch on what looked like a sure touchdown, Brian Flores was standing next to Bill motioning to call a time out. Bill obviously did not, and the rest was history.
I was not thrilled with the timeout before fourth and goal. But I was more put off by what looked like pretty soft coverage on the fourth down throws.
Either way, this one is NOT on the defense. How many times could they be called on to answer the bell?
The offensive game plan was lacking. People are going to say, “the weather”, “the short week”. Whatever.
For a quarterback who supposedly is starting for his running ability, there really are not too many plays that showcase his legs.
If there are offensive line issues, it did not seem like a running back was left in to block on pass plays.
Very disheartening. A very winnable game. If you go back to the posts, people were concerned about the play calling in the early stages of the game. With no adjustments made at halftime, they proved to be right.
Columbia won at Princeton 20 years ago.
Ok, I’ll bite. Yes, I think Bagnoli would also have lost that game. But to the larger point I believe you were trying to make, let me say that I agree that Fabish got outcoached. This is a game we should have won. This one hurts.
Columbia won at Princeton six years ago. Ronald Smith TD catch.
You're suggesting they run Bell more? Not sure that's the right strategery.
Painful. And as much as I was a fan of Bell at the start of the season, I’ll be the first to say that Green absolutely has to be given playing time going forward, even if it’s in a platooning capacity.
Defense was supoerb....even with the last score ...salute to the defensive players ..and defensive coach..they were on the field for so much longer than the Princeton defense...
Bell was not good...Fabish should have pulled him and put in Green ...clearly ..Play calling as to be expected by Fabish dull and ....offense could not score....need to put in a qb that can pass ...tough loss...we should have won he game...we held them to 10 points...our offense was just non existent...
Green needs to start against Marist and then we can see about Penn ...should have won tonight...Gving the ball to Giorgi is not a game plan ...Giorgi is outstanding...
Go Lions
Malcolm Terry injured in first half
While the D played great, the winning score by Princeton was just bad tackling by Rocco Milia. On the goal line, low man wins. Milia approached the RB standing straight up- got knocked backwards into the end zone. Full stop. Watch the tape. 4th down with game on the line- we lose because our LB didn’t use the proper tackling technique. Awful…that’s coaching. Full stop.
The threat of a bomb by Princeton was in my mind on every play. Why? Because they throw deep and plant the seed. How often do we do that? Not enough. Clock management? Not taking 3 early on the road? Need some spread on the offense.
I like Green too
this is SPOT ON. I feel for those young men on offense. Arguably Columbia has the most talented WR room in the Ivy league this season yet we are not spreading, at all or until it is too late. Let Green get in a pass the ball. I foresee kids leaving after this season if things do not change.
Defense stepped up tonight. Coach failed offense. Should have been a W.
This group of kids played hard. Have said this before, saying it again. The HC is not a leader of men. Never has been. Never will be. The kids deserve better leadership and at a minimum more than 1 or 2 balls that are thrown vertically. Start looking for a real HC that can lead all this talent.
Forgive me if I do not rush in my subscription to the “Mark Fabish Fan Club”.
There is a reason why long time assistants”, are “long time assistants”.
Frankly, I prefer my head coaches to have had some prior head coaching experience. Yes, “every expert was a beginner once”, but how about you learn the basics skills of a head coach at a D3 school, before coming to Morningside Heights.
Even the much beloved William V. Campbell, looked like a “deer in the headlights”, when he was a first (and only time), head coach, despite being a “long term assistant” and former coordinator, at what we now call a Power 5 Program.
Granted, there was no other choice in August, but there is a choice going forward.
There is a pattern. And no, I really do not care that he can recruit New Jersey, or is a solid citizen, or has a great beard. One simple question, “is he a qualified head coach now?”. Not, “will he be one in three seasons?”
For the sake of the players, who have talent and heart, both in abundance, I hopes he runs the table and wins a title.
The players are owed more than a victory over Poughkeepsie Central High School, aka Marist. They were entitled to win last night.
7-3 and I am all in. Anything less with this group, and I am looking elsewhere.
Get real everybody. Princeton converted on 3 4th down conversions in the final drive. As far as the Milia tackle, I thought that the RB’s knee hit the ground before he crossed the goal line. the defense played their hearts out, and we probably would have won if thee Princeton TE’s catch was ruled a trap. But give Princeton credit; when the game was on the line they ground out a winning drive. As far as the offense, against the two good teams we played we have scored 0 offensive TDS. While the strategy in last night’s weather probably mandated that Bell start the game,I have always maintained that Green is a better passer and last night demonstrated that Bell, who I admire, cannot move the ball in the air against good defenses. Obviously Bell is the people’s choice and was elected a co-captain because his teammates love him, but there were a few plays in which Canty was open on deep balls and Bell just missed him. Don’t take my word for it—Jack ford also called it.
Great Defensive Effort. Also the O line and RB’s were terrific , especially Georgi. The issue is the one dimensional QB. PU knew he couldn’t throw and stacked the box all night. Was shocked Green didn’t start the second half. ST’s were pretty terrible too. We won ‘t win league games with that QB and offensive package . That’s the weakest PU team I’ve seen in 20 years. That was a huge missed W we left in the swamps of Jersey.
Can we stop with the excuses: trapped balls, knee down. Columbia lost because they had “goal to go” and scored no points. It was not the Princeton defense that shut them out. It was terrible play calls.
A head coach leads. If Fabish cannot step up when he sees terrible play calls being made by an inexperienced Offensive coordinator when his name is on the line, when can he? If he cannot step up and pull out a struggling qb because he is "likable" when is his purpose at the end of the day? He is more about playing nice than winning. The beard has not made him any wiser.
what*
Over/under on team wins this season has to be in the 2-3 range…can’t see us beating really anyone besides Marist with this HC, QB and offensive scheme. Fire up the search committee.
I'm sure the kid has been taught how to tackle. He just didn't do what he's been taught.
Do all of you understand that Bagnoli handed the program to Fabish? The coach you all think walks on water. Piling made a great hire when he brought on Bagnoli and now he's turned the Columbia program over to Fabish. All of you love Bagnoli and he made sure that Fabish gets a shot now.
For you all the so easily bash Fabish from your basements after 3 games is disrespectful to Bagnoli. If you supported Bagnoli over the years, you have to respect his exit and his choice to let Fabish give it a shot.
No question that Columbia was the better team overall last night, but Princeton had a much better quarterback than our guy and our play calling was awful. Now, unfortunately, the Columbia Fan Base as symbolized best by the persons blogging here, are understandably upset because they have no actual information about what is going on in the football program. Without doubt, Columbia has the worst Athletic Department Administraton in the Ivy League headed by a man who knows nothing about football and for that mattter basketball. No information is ever disseminated to alumni or fans unless you ante up thousands of dollars. The coach of our men's basketball team has one of the worst records of any basketball coach anywhere. Columbia has been in the Ivy League cellar for three straight year and are projected to be there again this coming season. Yet are Athletic Administraton doesn't give a damn. Same thing with football. The Athletic Department couldn't care less about how the team is doing as long as the money comes in to pay the bills. No information is disseminated to the fans. For example, does anyone on this blog have the slighest idea whether Joe Green is physically able to throw the ball as well as did before his shoulder surgery? And what about the several back-up quarterbacks. All of them played well enough in high school to be recruited by Columbia. All of them were very productive in high school. Common sense dictates that at least two of the reserve quarterbacks must see action against Marist. If Columbia expects to compete successfully in the six games following the Marist Game, the Quarterback Issue must be solved. I am betting on Coach Fabish to do that.
I said earlier that every should go to the Lafayette football site. Read the biography of the head coach who won everywhere in D III. Didn't Eldo do that at Union? Plenty of experienced head coaches who need a chance.
Vertical passes. We fans know it!
If we had made any of three stops on 4th down in the final Princeton drive, or if we had made a chip shot field goal, or if we came away with 6 points on any of the short yardage opportunities we would all be speaking about how Fabish had done a great job winning on the road against a good Princeton team. And if Princeton jade come up short I imagine the fan base at Princeton wouldf be moaning about the lousy job Surace had done. Do I think a healthy Green is a better option? Yes I do, but who knows the condition of his surgically repaired shoulder. I certainly don’t. All I could see what that’s Canty seemed mighty upset on the sideline on several occasions last evening—perhaps he thought that he might have caught a few deep balls if a couple of those passes had some more air under them and had led him into the middle of the field. Just saying that there were a few throws that a healthy Green would have made.
Bottom line—0 offensive touchdowns in 120 minutes against the two good teams we have played.
I disagree. On that winning score play, the defensive coach made the right call. Melia filled the right gap as the D coaches had schemed it properly. Kid just did not stay low and unfortunately that is on the player. No matter how many times you have been coached on technique there are mental lapses by players. I see it all the time in FBS games with top ten teams. Mental lapses in every game. Don’t get me wrong, this loss is not on the D but that winning score play was on the LB
That's it: zero TDs vs two pretty good teams. Our QB play has been really poor. Bell is inaccurate, which is probably why we don't throw more vertical passes. He also tended last night to look directly at his target as soon as he received the snap. Our D is very good and will keep us in games. The run blocking and RBs are good. The pass pro was not great last night, but when Bell had time it didn't help. Yes it was raining, but Stenstrom also had drops and still completed 60%.
All that said, if we kick two field goals in the first half, it's a different game. Forget heroics, if you don't make routine plays it is very hard to win on the road.
Honestly, how many of you expected us to have a lead in a game at Princeton in driving rain with 2 mins left in the game?? Competing against a more talented team with a veteran coach who has multiple Ivy titles playing at home? With a much more talented QB. Sheesh!
Please tell me what I am missing?
Just because I respect the accomplishments of Al Bagnoli, both before he got to Columbia, and during his tenure as the Lions’ coach, I am obligated to defend his thrusting his handmaiden into a role for which he is not qualified?
Before Lafayette, Coach Fabish had my support. After showing up for his first game with a poorly prepared team, after leaving in his starters (including a precious quarterback) too long the second week, and then wasting a strong effort in his third game, how much more of a sample do I need.
The microcism of game was the start of the second half. The defense did a yeoman’s job keeping Princeton from scoring right before the half. Columbia ball to start the second half. Three and out. Then, a huge break on the muffed punt, and Columbia regains the ball in Princeton territory. Again, three and out. Oh yes, I get it, a game of field position, and that brilliance is what set up the Townsend pick six. Just like they drew it up!
I did the proper thing. I rallied behind Bob Naso’s hire, Norries Wilson’s hire and even, Pete Mangurian’s hire. I supported those programs. The days of not reading the prospectus before I invest, are over.
As was correctly stated, Piling has no clue about football or basketball. He is going to turn to Al Bagnoli as his subject matter expert. Do not count on an objective assessment of Mark Fabish from Al Bagnoli.
Buckle up folks, he is ours to keep for a few more seasons. I can hear it now, “Come on, we have to give him a fair chance. An entire off season to prepare. The ability to pick his own coaches.” And all the while, the rest of the league will pull farther ahead.
We cannot remain ambivalent.
You must be drinking early this AM. Princeton has far more talent than Columbia, including a much more talented QB. I would bet there is not one Columbia starter that had an offer from Princeton. But let’s blame the coaches as we always do on this board
The defense played their hearts out. We need to get this offense figured out if we want any chance against Ivy opponents. If Green is healthy, he plays. Bell looked great against Georgetown but against seemingly better defenses we have produced a total of 3 points. I like his escapability but in games where we need to complete passes to win, green has shown the ability to do so. On the positive, Townsend played like the DPOY
Lay off the LB on the TD. If he hits him low on short yardage the RB’s momentum carries him over. Only chance on a play like that is to stand up the RB. On that he did a decent job and I’m still not sure if the RB’s knee hit the ground before he supposedly broke the plane of the goal line. One unanswered question about Green is if his shoulder is 100%; if it is then he should take back the job that he lost due to injuries.
No one should ever call out a single player by name, especially for their technique.
Fabish gets paid, as such he is far game.
Players drop balls, miss tackles and throw interceptions. Even in the NFL.
No one should take issue with someone who sacrifice what Ivy League player do.
Coaches on the other hand, who people seem to think should be off limits, are professionals.
Bagnoli at CU 35-35. Ivy 20-29. Spin it with "All those winning seasons. "As Van says "Keep Mediocrity at Bay"
Let's move past Fabish, the Bagnoli offense, watch and incorporate the QB draw
"
Amen
“Strategery”? No wonder we lost.
I was impressed by the postgame comments by Mark Fabish. This guy really cares—he’ll learn about how to fix the offense.
How many points per game do you get for “caring”?
How about showing some support and giving this first time head coach a little support?
I really find the lack of support for this staff to be discouraging. Let’s give them more than 3 games, including a heartbreaking 3 point loss to Princeton on the road, before evaluating them.
Agreed. Bunch of whining parents on this board
My son received offers from all 8 Ivy League schools. He chose Columbia - and he would do it again today.
Yes, you are obligated to support Bagnoli's decision to promote Fabish. For now.
Come on, man. George Bush used to say that all the time. Strategery.
Spot on? He said you can't win if you can't score points. It's spot on saying nothing.
I want a head coach who cares. And I have no use for fans who want to abandon the coach after three games. And yes, there are players on our team who did in fact turn down Princeton.
Your leadership assessment, delivered from your sofa, is based on what exactly?
“I am available immediately.”
—-Pete Mangurian.
Can we stop thinking the game was lost because our players were inferior to Princeton’s?
Agreed—we have some excellent players and just as easily could have won that game.
👏👏👏
Yes, just look at John Martin’s bio. He turned down Alabama and Notre Dame
Chose Columbia over offers from Alabama, Boston College, Notre Dame, Texas A&M, and Mississippi State
Agreed. We lost mainly because of our mental mistakes and because we didn’t match Princeton’s mental toughness.
Is this a joke? You make it sound like Princeton is at the level of a Georgia or a Michigan. I was underwhelmed by what I saw from Princeton, which included a quarterback that looked rattled for most of the game and an offense that kept getting flagged for false starts. This was one of the weakest Princeton teams in the last 20 years, and based on what I saw on Friday, I’d now be shocked if they finish better than middle of the pack this year.
no, we lost mainly because of poor play call choices due to an inexperienced OC and a head coach that does not step up when needed
John Martin is a huge asset to the team. Let's hope none of our offensive talent hits the portal
I turned down 4 other Ivy teams including Princeton in addition to other D1 schools for Columbia and I am starting to regret it.
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