Dartmouth 59 Columbia 24
Why Dartmouth Won
After a brief slow start, the Big Green exploded for 38 points in the final 20 minutes of the 1st half. Seven Dartmouth ball carriers averaged at least five yards per carry, and the defense created three Columbia turnovers that led to three Big Green touchdowns.
Why Columbia Lost
The Lions defense lost control of the game during the Dartmouth 38-point barrage. From that point on, the Big Green mixed dominating the line of scrimmage with a few trick plays to seal the game. The CU offense actually moved the ball well most of the game, but could not match Dartmouth's pace.
Key Turning Points
-Leading 3-0 midway through the 1st quarter, Columbia's junior CB Will Allen intercepted an ill-advised pass by Dartmouth QB Jared Gerbino, setting up the Lions just inside Big Green territory. But Columbia then went backwards thanks to two penalties and had to punt. On that punt, Columbia missed a tackle just as Dartmouth returner Drew Estrada caught the ball and he ran off with an 87-yard TD.
-With the score tied at 10 with 8:58 left in the half, Dartmouth took over at its 25 yard line after a CU kickoff and promptly marched down the field in five plays for a TD. It was the lead the Big Green would never give up.
Columbia Positives
-Despite losing by five TD's, the Lion running game continued to show improvement. Even before the game entered the "garbage time" phase, Columbia was getting good running gains with consistency against the best defense in the Ivies.
-While he did throw one INT for a pick six, sophomore QB Ty Lenhart played a solid game and it's notable that his one interception was not a pass right to a wide open defender. The Lions will be more competitive in future games if Lenhart can go 22-for-33 like he did against Dartmouth.
-The offensive line played well overall, giving up no sacks.
Columbia Negatives
-The Lions had no answer for a number of Dartmouth offensive weapons. After containing Gerbino for about 10 minutes, Columbia was no longer able to stop him as a runner.
-Columbia fell victim to a number of trick plays, especially a couple of flea flickers that went for scores.
-Columbia allowed a number of big kick and punt returns for the first time this season.
Columbia MVP
-Sophomore WR/Returner Mike Roussos had another strong game. He finished with seven catches for 83 yards, ran for a one-yard TD, and also had a couple of big kick returns including a 54-yarder.
Sunday, October 27, 2019
Friday, October 25, 2019
Up Against the Best
Columbia Lions (2-3) at Dartmouth Big Green (5-0)
October 25, 2019
Kickoff Time: 6:00pm
Memorial Field
Game Time Weather Forecast: 52 degrees, 40% chance of rain
The Line: Dartmouth is favored by 20 points
TV/RADIO: The game is broadcast live nationwide on ESPNU
The Game Last Year
Leading Story Lines
1) Dartmouth has played the best football in the league and hasn't yet been challenged in a game. Columbia is coming off its best overall game in years. This is the perfect game to see which team's current reputation is the most accurate.
2) Dartmouth has a great offense, but its defense is the dominant unit... which is saying something. Any traction the CU offense gets in the game on offense will be a unique test this Dartmouth team hasn't faced in almost a year.
3) Weather may play a role, with chances of rain hitting 100% by the 4th quarter.
October 25, 2019
Kickoff Time: 6:00pm
Memorial Field
Game Time Weather Forecast: 52 degrees, 40% chance of rain
The Line: Dartmouth is favored by 20 points
TV/RADIO: The game is broadcast live nationwide on ESPNU
The Game Last Year
Leading Story Lines
1) Dartmouth has played the best football in the league and hasn't yet been challenged in a game. Columbia is coming off its best overall game in years. This is the perfect game to see which team's current reputation is the most accurate.
2) Dartmouth has a great offense, but its defense is the dominant unit... which is saying something. Any traction the CU offense gets in the game on offense will be a unique test this Dartmouth team hasn't faced in almost a year.
3) Weather may play a role, with chances of rain hitting 100% by the 4th quarter.
Week 6 Picks
I went 8-0 straight up and 5-3 against the spread last week, putting my season totals to 28-6 SU and 15-18-1 ATS.
Penn +9 1/2 at Yale
The Elis will win, but the Quakers will make a game of it against the weaker than usual Yale defense.
Harvard +11 at Princeton
Princeton wins, but only by one score.
Brown +10 at Cornell
I think Brown will actually win this game.
Lehigh +3 vs. Georgetown
The bloom is coming off Georgetown's rose lately. Take the Mountain Hawks to win it at home.
St. Francis -6 1/2 vs. Sacred Heart
St. Francis is playing consistent football right when it counts.
CCSU -24 vs. LIU
Very tough road game for the new LIU program against a CCSU that is also playing its best football.
Tuesday, October 22, 2019
Learn from the Jets!
The New York Jets got an emotional and cathartic win over a quality opponent last week with their win at home over the Dallas Cowboys.
That win was supposed to be just the kind of emotional lift the Jets needed as they faced the perennial champion New England Patriots at Met Life Stadium last night.
The result? The Jets got plastered.
It would be a good idea for the Columbia Lions to learn from that scenario. No, the Lions aren't as bad as the Jets and Dartmouth isn't as perennially good at the Patriots. But the Big Green are the best team in the Ivies and Columbia won't be able to match them based on relief and emotion alone.
That win was supposed to be just the kind of emotional lift the Jets needed as they faced the perennial champion New England Patriots at Met Life Stadium last night.
The result? The Jets got plastered.
It would be a good idea for the Columbia Lions to learn from that scenario. No, the Lions aren't as bad as the Jets and Dartmouth isn't as perennially good at the Patriots. But the Big Green are the best team in the Ivies and Columbia won't be able to match them based on relief and emotion alone.
Monday, October 21, 2019
5 Questions
The 5 Most Burning Questions for Columbia Football after the Homecoming thrashing of Penn
1) Is this just a bit of a fluke, or did the real Lions finally emerge Saturday?
The historic win over the Quakers was certainly real, but Penn really did almost nothing right. There is a precedent for this program under Head Coach Al Bagnoli suddenly emerging after being under the radar. That was essentially the story in 2017 when the Lions turned from a team that was almost winning a lot of games to suddenly winning every game for the first six weeks of the season.
2) Even if this is for real, is it good enough to beat Dartmouth?
Based on what I've seen this season, the Big Green seem a lot better than any other Ivy team. Thus, we may not learn much about the Lions if they lose Friday night in Hanover.
3) Is Lenhart a full-time starter at QB?
Sophomore QB Ty Lenhart brings a new dimension with his running prowess and he's not a bad passer as far as hitting open receivers goes. But he seems to throw at least one dumb interception per game and that could still give Bagnoli a lot of pause.
4) Are the Linebackers okay?
Since Bagnoli arrived, the Lions have been reloading at linebacker every year. Now with the emergence of freshman LB Scott Valentas, (which is not a surprise, as he was one of our highest-rated recruits), and perhaps some improved play from senior Jalen Williams, Columbia may be able to overcome the most injury-effected unit on the team.
5) Is Ronald Smith done for the year?
We were assured Smith would be back for Homecoming, but he did not suit up for the game. I can't believe he'll be in the lineup vs. Dartmouth, but stranger things have happened.
1) Is this just a bit of a fluke, or did the real Lions finally emerge Saturday?
The historic win over the Quakers was certainly real, but Penn really did almost nothing right. There is a precedent for this program under Head Coach Al Bagnoli suddenly emerging after being under the radar. That was essentially the story in 2017 when the Lions turned from a team that was almost winning a lot of games to suddenly winning every game for the first six weeks of the season.
2) Even if this is for real, is it good enough to beat Dartmouth?
Based on what I've seen this season, the Big Green seem a lot better than any other Ivy team. Thus, we may not learn much about the Lions if they lose Friday night in Hanover.
3) Is Lenhart a full-time starter at QB?
Sophomore QB Ty Lenhart brings a new dimension with his running prowess and he's not a bad passer as far as hitting open receivers goes. But he seems to throw at least one dumb interception per game and that could still give Bagnoli a lot of pause.
4) Are the Linebackers okay?
Since Bagnoli arrived, the Lions have been reloading at linebacker every year. Now with the emergence of freshman LB Scott Valentas, (which is not a surprise, as he was one of our highest-rated recruits), and perhaps some improved play from senior Jalen Williams, Columbia may be able to overcome the most injury-effected unit on the team.
5) Is Ronald Smith done for the year?
We were assured Smith would be back for Homecoming, but he did not suit up for the game. I can't believe he'll be in the lineup vs. Dartmouth, but stranger things have happened.
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