Yale Bulldogs (4-2) vs. Columbia Lions (4-2)
November 1, 2024
Kickoff Time: 7:00pm
Robert K. Kraft Field at Lawrence A. Wien Stadium
New York, NY
Game Time Weather Forecast: 68 degrees and clear
The Line: Yale is favored by 2 points
TV/Radio: The game will be nationally televised on ESPNU
Leading Story Lines
-Columbia comes into this game with a wounded lineup and some wounder pride after losing on Homecoming last week to Dartmouth and also seeing its standout starting QB Chase Goodwin knocked out for the rest of the season.
-Yale may be climbing an insurmountable ladder to the Ivy title after starting the season 0-2 in the conference. But the Elis' usual formula of finishing strong seems to be in place with a vengeance now.
-The matchup is looking like a team coming off a major gut punch and another with a big chip on its shoulder.
3 Lions to Watch
-QB Cole Freeman #4 will be thrust into the starting job and will likely be harassed regularly by Yale defense that would love to force him to throw about 40 times or more.
-LT Nick Winzer #75 is also under the gun after the season-ending injury to starter Ryan Carr. Winzer will have a big target on his uniform all day for the Eli pass rushers.
-CB Carter McCray #22 is playing well as a freshman starter, but expect Yale to try to test him with their top receivers as much as possible.
3 Bulldogs to Watch
-WR David Pantelis #10 is locked in a battle with Columbia's Bryson Canty for the title of best WR in the Ivies. He will be all over the field tonight; it's just up to the Lions to deny him the ball as much as possible.
-S Abu Kamara #4 is having a breakout sophomore season and will be a factor in stopping the Columbia passing and running games.
-RB Josh Pitsenberger #7 is having a strong comeback season after being a bit sidelined last year. After the Lions had a fit of poor run tackling at times vs. Dartmouth last week, Pitsenberger will either be the beneficiary of that trend continuing or the victim of it being rectified.
Must run the ball well to have any chance in this match up. Yale's offense is very good and high scoring. Cannot win a track meet type game. Jake is correct that if we are forced into throwing the ball 40
ReplyDeletetimes (see Penn game) tonight, its going to be a looong one for the light blue.
Line has ticked down to Yale -1. Normally a good sign, but then again, the same kind of line movement (i.e., in our favor) just before the start of the Dartmouth game didn’t prove predictive.
ReplyDeleteWe win big. Believe it!
ReplyDeleteLFG!!!
ReplyDeleteJohn Martin had offers from Alabama, Boston College, Notre Dame, Texas A&M, and Mississippi State
ReplyDeleteAnd …?
DeleteI like chips
DeleteTell Cole slow down and don't panic. Gonna be a long one damn
ReplyDeleteand here goes the happy feet
ReplyDeleteabsolutely the kid freaks in pocket
DeleteDefense is doing there job. Offense needs to move ball. But then again it’s been all season that defense plays better than offense
ReplyDeleteCan the defense also play offense?
DeleteGut check time. Can Lions play w the big boys or are the middle of pack? Second half will tell the story
ReplyDeleteDefense killing it. Put the Simpkins kid in because Happy Feet is not the way to the Win.
ReplyDeleteCan’t win games if offense can’t move the ball. Change QB
ReplyDeleteagreed, what is the hold up?
DeleteYale dominated the 3rd quarter and only added 3 points.We are still in this
DeleteNot looking good with this quarterback at all
ReplyDeletethis is our #2 qb? I see NOTHING improved since last week with Happy Feet. Please move on.
ReplyDeleteIf Columbia loses, it is on coaches for the QB situation. This is painful to watch!
ReplyDeleteGive Sanchez a shot. He reminds me a lot of Mahomes
ReplyDeleteWhat about Xander Menapace?
Deleteanyone at this point
DeleteAgreed
DeleteHold your horses. O line needs to give QB some protection.
ReplyDeleteoh no another injury
ReplyDeleteGeez this isnt looking good
ReplyDeleteoh let's try running up the middle for the 192827 unsuccessful time
ReplyDelete18 carries for 79 yards up the middle at this very moment.
DeleteSeriously
DeleteRun game has been solid.
DeleteWe only have six points of run. That’s not solid
Deleterun game been crushing it
DeleteDefense is solid.
DeleteDefense has been solid. Not run game
Deletewe agree to disagree as they have been ready for our runs
DeleteLook at the stats. Over 5 yards per carry.
Deletewe got this, oh we of little faith
ReplyDeleteLet’s go!!!!
ReplyDeleteGo lions! Nice one for Canty! Come on Defense!
ReplyDeleteWhat a throw
ReplyDeleteCome on Lions! we are so close!
ReplyDeleteGreat defensive play. We can taste this!
ReplyDeleteNational TV, baby, let’s go!
ReplyDeleteC'mon Lions! you got this Win!
ReplyDeletewhere is the Stagg kid?
ReplyDeletesideline?
Deletenope have not seen him all night
Deleteis he injured?
Deleteno
DeleteLET'S GO LIONSSSSSSS
ReplyDeletechop the clock away, kick a field goal
ReplyDeleteor let the happy feet qb keep the dang ball smh
ReplyDeletelol. This chain of QB and coaching criticism is incredible. Fortunately the players and coaches believe in eachother and have composure.
DeleteMr happy feet: shut up and support your team
DeleteWow!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat win Lions! Way to go...let's go!
ReplyDeleteGREAT WIN BOYS!!!! Let’s goooooo!!!
ReplyDeleteLions WINNNNNNN
ReplyDeleteGreat win. Like seeing the team stick together and the coaches believe in their guys when things are tough.
ReplyDeleteSo proud of these guys fighting until the end
ReplyDeleteAgree. Coaches have confidence in these kids and it makes them play better. Says a lot about the staff to believe in the guys and not give up on them after a bad play or series. Freeman is a scrambler and ultimately effective. Happy for that kid.
DeleteOUTSTANDING!!! Keep it coming. Let it echo up the Hudson Valley!
ReplyDeleteThis was an incredible gritty victory and how about that interview at the end. Outstanding national exposure. What a great feeling.
ReplyDeleteThis team is 5-2 and only lost both by 3 points. Can we at this stage please stop with the negative nonsense, pull together and support this team! This team is in the race and in every game. Stop the micro analysis and just take a breath to appreciate what the teamnand coaches have done
ReplyDeleteWell done Lions.
ReplyDeleteWhen was the last time Columbia beat H-Y-P in the same season? 2 down, 1 to go...
I was just looking at the box score. Talk about a perfectly played quarter. 10-0. Great defense, perfect long field goal, great TD pass play off some strong runs,, and very effective running out the clock. Just about as good a quarter of football that Columbia could play.
ReplyDeleteGO CRIMSON (only tomorrow)
ReplyDeletePoppe and Smith sticking with Freeman and their game plan is why they won. If we win the title or come close this year, that choice may very well be the tipping point for the team and possibly the future of the program. Its awesome to have a confident and composed staff and players.
ReplyDeleteWhat a friggin joke with all these armchair dads with their d-bag Happy Feet comments. Would love to meet any one of them man to man in the parking lot.
ReplyDeleteAgree. Kids played hard and didn't give up. Same with the coaches.
DeleteConfidence and composure. These guys radiate it. Coaches and players. See you in Allston. Go Lions!
ReplyDeleteThat’s a damn good win against a high powered offense
ReplyDeleteYes, and if you’re all still up, I just watched much of the fourth quarter via DVR to savor this victory. The post game interview with Coach Poppe, Canty and Freeman is already posted at the Columbia website.
ReplyDeletePart 1:
ReplyDeleteWe have one of the best, if not the best, defense in the FCS!!!
Part 2:
Let us all sing along to John Lennon's melody:::All we are saying, is give Freeman a chance.!!!
Dartmouth begs to differ
DeleteGreat win! Congratulations to the Lions!!!!
ReplyDeleteThis rabid Columbia Fan from the Buckeye State was thrilled to watch the tremendous effort of Marysville's own Griffin Johnson in the fourth quarter tonight. Great running, Griff!!!!
ReplyDeleteHe was really good tonight. He seems a little bigger than the other backs. Runs hard
DeleteJOHNSON WAS GREAAT—A REAL POWER. BACK!
ReplyDeleteHow about some credit to the defense dialed by by Stovall?Excellent defensive effort—stopped the run game and largely neutralized the pass game. A first year is now starting aDB—rose to the occasion. And Jack S at rover can really tackle!!
ReplyDeleteJust watched the post game press conference on the CU Football website. Cole Freeman is smart and articulate and has the right leadership qualities. He is a gem.
ReplyDeleteDidn't anyone notice Charlie Newton coming in at LB, making hit after hit in the open field?
ReplyDeleteI’m not Charlie’s Dad but also noticed that Newton played well. Very well. And Jack Sch. Is an excellent open field tackler. I also thought that the first year DB played well for us.
ReplyDeleteThere is too much criticism of the offense on this blog. Our pass to run ratio and production were balanced and we slowed down the game; we lost the time of possession game but still won by coming through when it mattered. How many 96 yard scoring drives can anybody remember?
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with your assessment. Was also just recalling that 96 yard drive. I can't remember such a long Lion drive. Talk about competitiveness, composure, great mix of calls. The great supporters of Lion football will be filled with octane all week as the team preps and makes its way up to Cambridge. Looking forward to Jake's take on the game.
ReplyDeleteInjuries are taking their toll but the players coming in are definitely stepping up! Was replacement at safety a FY too? Lill at center did not miss a beat. And I did comment to those in stands that 43 was definitely laying the wood at ILB
ReplyDeleteAt H will be a big task. I for one am so grateful this team has given us all reason to hope and dream for at least one more week.
Our HC and OC know Harvard and its tendencies inside out. Our OC also knew Yale. I’m glad that Thor graduated.
ReplyDeleteThor transferred
ReplyDeleteAfter graduating
ReplyDeletethis whole thread is all over the place
ReplyDelete