Penn 20 Columbia 17
Why Penn Won
Quaker QB Aiden Sayin sliced up the CU defense, taking advantage of the Lions' softer coverage and lack of blitzing all day. Meanwhile, the Penn defense bent but didn't break on a number of key Columbia possessions.
Why Columbia Lost
The Lions offense was still inconsistent and ineffectual at the most crucial times, while the defense didn't adjust to the Penn passing attack.
Key Turning Points
-With Columbia leading 7-3 and 1:24 left in the 1st quarter, Penn took over at their own 25 and began a 12-play 75-yard TD drive that ended on a one-yard TD run on 4th down and 1. This drive would be eerily similar to one later in the game.
-With 2:31 left in the 3rd quarter and now leading by 14-10, the Lions began a drive at their own 28 that fizzled when an apparent great catch by WR Wills Meyer for what would have been a 22-yard TD was called incomplete by the refs. Hugo Merry kicked a clutch 40-yard FG on the next play, but the game's momentum swing hard to Penn after that pass was called no good.
-The Quakers responded with a 75-yard TD drive that took just seven plays and included just one 3rd down. That made the score 17-17.
-Columbia only had the ball twice after that and did not get even one 1st down.
Columbia Positives
-The CU defense had another solid game against the run, giving up just 72 net rushing yards.
-Merry continues to show great poise for a true freshman. Columbia is looking at no real downgrade despite the loss of now-Penn State kicking starter Alex Felkins.
Columbia Negatives
-The Lions put no significant pressure on Sayin and paid and paid a huge price for it.
-Caden Bell's passing stats continue to look ugly. Not mixing up the CU passing attack by subbing in Joe Green from time to time is becoming harder to understand.
-When the Penn kickoffs repeatedly kicked away from return threat Carter McFadden, the other CU returners were clearly told to call for a fair catch on kickoffs. In some cases, those fair catches clearly negated opportunities where big returns were possible.
Columbia MVP
-Aaron Brebnor had six tackles, a tackle for a loss, a forced fumble and a key pass breakup.
6 comments:
Another rainy weekend -- this season might set a record. Tough on everyone, dampened (literally and numerically) the normally stellar attendance, seemed to even chase away the Penn band.
At least many of the annoying drunks were also scared off, judging by the surprisingly un-littered surrounding streets that on most Homecomings are filled with discarded beer, liquor and homemade "borg" (BlackOut Rage Gallon) containers.
Message to guy upstairs -- Could we get at least one glorious-weather fall game at Baker? With a win?
The lack of public information from the Columbia Athletic Department and/or the Columbia Coaching Staff regarding the health, relevant skills and overall status of all or most of the quarterbacks on our roster is both surprising and bewildering. Obviously, the quarterback situation is the only really important issue on the table at this time, and, in my opinion, it would be very beneficial to the coaching staff if it laid out the quarterback situation in depth. Whatever the quarterback issues may be, it is very unlikely that you can blame them on a coaching staff that took over the Columbia Football Program on an emergency basis just before the season started. My inclination is to strongly support the coaching staff. I am worried that the Athletic Department doesn't share my interest in doing that.
We all want Columbia to be Ivy Champs in football....and I have been going to games since 1964 ....I have been critical of Fabish s play calling in prior years. I am sure he is a fine fellow..He is the coach ...- if he felt Bell was the better option ..he is the coach...nothing wrong with being concerned though.. passing though is important of course...we should be 2-0 ....Green was not injured cause we would have heard...and the coach would have told us...And by the way we lost those two Ivy games...so the coach's bet turned out to be wrong ..I believe...of course players are on the field ..though I think the defense has been very very good..
And we have so many talented athletes...as we know ...bright and impressive men ...Al called them "kids" not a good expression ..very very bright men...and super athletes... I have devoted lots of time and effort to contribute to Columbia for over 50 years...superb coaching and winning is of course ..what we should expect...many who are writing are frustrated by what they have been seeing ...that is understandable..Penn adn Princeton were beatable...and Marist was a chance to use another QB...as some have noted ..
Salute to the parents of these fine athletes...and to those who care about Columbia sports.
And of course..Jake has been superb. There is no reason why Columbia can't be Ivy champs in the future.....many times....we should expect excellence.
In the meantime, we can win all the remaining games ..if we can have a passing games.Dartmouth is beatable...though Howard is a great running QB and they have a passing QB attack too ..Go LIONs! I am gonna see the women's basketball games..for the tournament in the Bahamas...I recommend everyone go..Peter Pilling had confidence in Meghan - great call
I also want to say ..as to our defensive effort ...on the field for a long time seems to be a challenge for any team.... ..I hope we all enjoy a win up in Hanover...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I may fly up from Miami to see us beat Harvard....
Why is this question not addressed at the press conference?
We don’t know what is edited out from the post game presser.
I agree, Jake. That catch by Wills Meyer looked legit to me. (And I had a good view of it from the parking lot.)
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