Leaps and Bounds

Columbia 30 Georgetown 0

Why Columbia Won

In a complete reversal from last week, the Lions dominated both lines of scrimmage all day. The defense was especially dominant early on, and the offense slowly found a way to make the Hoyas pay on the scoreboard. 

Why Georgetown Lost

The Hoya running attack, which had been very strong for its first three games, could muster just 32 net rushing yards in this game. Meanwhile, the Georgetown defense mostly allowed the Columbia offense to run at will as they gave up 222 net yards on the ground. 

Key Turning Points

-With the Lions leading 6-0 and just over three minutes left in the 1st quarter, Columbia took over on offense on their own 22. The Lions then began a 15-play TD drive that epitomized the dominance from its offensive line in the game. The run-heavy drive included two 4th down conversions, including one for the TD by RB Ty'son Edwards. 

-With the score now 16-0 early in the 3rd quarter, the Hoyas took over at midfield after the Lions turned it over on downs. Georgetown then started a pass-heavy drive that gave them a 1st and goal at the CU 10. But the Hoyas would get no closer than the Lion 8, after a short run and then three straight incomplete passes left them turning the ball over on downs as well. The last incomplete pass was nicely broken up by DB Carter McFadden. If Georgetown had scored a TD and a 2-point conversion off that drive, the game would have looked a lot different at that moment. 

Columbia Positives

-The Lions only had one official sack, but they notched eight tackles for a loss and harassed GU QB Tyler Knoop most of the game. The D-line also batted down multiple passes. 

-The offensive line opened lots of running holes and rarely put QB Caden Bell under much pressure. Georgetown had no sacks and just three tackles for a loss. 

-RB Joey Giorgi continued his excellent senior campaign, starting fast and then cruising to 116 rushing yards on 21 carries. 

-WR JJ Jenkins also had a 100+-yard day, going for 119 yards on just four catches, including a 43-yard TD on a bomb down the west sideline. 

-The Lion secondary broke up multiple passes, especially on pressure downs. Hoya QB Tyler Knoop was thus held to a sub-50% completion rate. Every receiver was always pretty well covered; none of the soft zone open receivers we've seen for years, etc. 

-QB Caden Bell had a much better game, especially running the ball. One of his two running TD's was especially gutsy into the Hoya defense. His passing accuracy was weak at first, but picked up noticeably as the game went on. 

-McFadden also put in an astounding day returning kickoffs and punts. He returned two punts for a total of 60 yards (with another return negated by a penalty), and had a 48-yard kickoff return as well. 

-PK Hugo Merry looked strong in the rough weather conditions. His 43-yard FG attempt early in the game against the wind just hit the post and fell no good. But his 25-yarder later in the game was perfect, as were all of his PATs. He also kicked off very well, (and from the 35 in this non-conference game), leading everyone in the stands to believe he will be nailing kickoffs well out of the end zone when he kicks off from the 40 in every Ivy game. 

Columbia Negatives

-Bell's above-mentioned slow passing start led him to another sub-50% completion rate for the day. But his yards per attempt came in at a very strong 7.2. 

-It probably took too long for the second team players to get inserted into the game. Bell stayed out for one possession too many and got hit pretty hard on his final play of the day. 

Columbia MVP

This was one of those great games where a lot of players and full units could easily get the nod. But while I may be inclined to give this award to the entire O-line for its significant improvement and impression on this game, I'm going to give it to LT Luke Painton because I noticed the large amount of room Bell had every time he rolled or ran to his left. The blindside was covered and then some today.