The Bulldogs are coming off their best offensive performance of the season in last week’s contest versus Penn. Grooms was the star of the game leading in both passing yards (18 for 27 for 283 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception) and rushing yards (16 carries for 113 yards). Tipton was exceptional hauling in difficult catches for 132 yards and a touchdown. Dudek was held out of the lineup for an injury sustained in the UCONN contest and the traditional running game with McElwain and Alston never really founds its footing. Tre Peterson appeared to be a very quick and dangerous runner in his three carries. The offensive line struggled to contain the Penn defensive front in the running game, but Grooms was so slippery that he was able to effectively negate the pass rushing from the Quakers.
The Yale defense did not start out as sharply as they finished the UCONN contest. Penn’s running backs Malcome and Flowers were able to find early success carving through the front seven. The Quakers opted to start freshman quarterback Aidan Sayan and he was able to connect for two touchdowns but never found his rhythm in the second half finishing just 12 of 28 for 114 yards. The pass interference issues in the secondary need to be cleaned up in a hurry. The defense clamped down on the rushing attack in the second half and came up with big plays when necessary to secure the victory.
Bosman was perfect on PAT’s and had an average punting day with 39.7 yards per punt.
This week the Bulldogs host the Columbia Lions (5-1) at the Bowl. Kickoff is slated for noon and the game will be televised on ESPN+.
The Lions dismantled the Big Green last Friday in a shocking 19-0 upset in Hanover. The Lions played nearly flawless on defense, while manhandling the Big Green’s defensive front and limiting the errors offensively. Bagnoli has pieced together his strongest Columbia squad to date, so this contest presents another difficult test for the Bulldogs. Yale still controls its own destiny as winning out would secure at least a share of the Ivy League title.
The Columbia offense is led by sophomore quarterback Joe Greene (6’4”, 215 lbs.) who had a very efficient outing at Dartmouth with 14 completions on 22 attempts for 98 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions. The Lions have a bruising runner in senior Ryan Young (5’9”, 230 lbs.) as well as a more balanced running back in senior Dante Miller (5’9”, 185 lbs.). The most eye-opening aspect of the Columbia-Dartmouth game was how the Columbia offensive line neutralized Dartmouth’s talented front seven. Senior and captain Stew Newblatt (6’3”, 290 lbs.) is the leader of the offensive line that limited Dartmouth to just one sack.
Dartmouth wasn’t able to find success in the rushing or passing game versus Columbia. The Big Green were held to just 262 yards of total offense, 13 first downs, and a meager 60 rushing yards. Senior safety Ben Mathiasmeier leads the team in tackles with 35 tackles, 1 tackle for loss and 3 interceptions. Yale will catch a break in the first half this week as Mathiasmeier was penalized for targeting last week and will be held out of the first half of the game. Senior linebacker Cam Dillon has been a star for the Lions with 31 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, an interception and a forced fumble. Fellow senior linebacker Justin Woodley is one of the top linebackers in the Ivy League and has been playing well with 23 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack. Senior defensive lineman Paul Akere has been too much to handle for opposing offensive lines racking up 28 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and 4 sacks.
Kicker Alex Felkins is 10 of 16 on field goals for the season with a long of 41 yards. Punter Drew Schmid has been solid with 41.0 yards per punt.
Go Bulldogs!
21 replies on “Columbia Preview”
When all else fails You must whip the Lions eyes, make them sleep and make them cry.
Yale 23 Columbia 17
I like that Jim Morrison., reference. Nice
I suspect Grooms won’t be able to throw and complete long against Columbia’s defense like he did against Penn. The defense and running game will need to step up.
This is true the defense may have to win this game for Yale. Yale better find a running game or it good be a long day for Yale. Are we getting any of our injured players back no news from Yale what else is new, We need to win every game from here on in or its over, Princeton looked very strong last night they played some of there freshman did not miss a beat. As of now they will win the Ivy League title. I see no one beating this team there on a roll.There very good on both sides of the ball there freshman running back scored twice last night they have talent across the board. They will be tough to beat.
They will be tough. Lions’ last Ivy title was I’m pretty sure 1971 with QB Marty Domres.
If we win it has to be via winning a close, low-scoring game. Maybe 16-13 Yale in OT. I hope so.
BB it was 1961 , last time Columbia won its only title. 1st team who scores wins the game today
With the rain getting heavier as the afternoon progresses, I suspect you’re dead on right.
One of these games the missed XP will come back to bite us. Hopefully, not today.
The negative plays are drive killers and have been all year long. I was hoping with Grooms we could avoid the 10 yard sacks.
How STUPID are you TONY.!! Stop Kicking the Bootch kicks.!!!!! DUMB ASS!!! Starting on the 50 yard line Everytime.!!! Kick it into the ENDZONE.!!! Stupid
I agree. He was fooling no one and putting unnecessary pressure on our defense the entire game.
Reno , do you money on. The game.? Kick the ball deep you dumb ass
Can they please pay for a real camera man. ESPN + horrible camera angles
A real gutsy win. I didn’t think they could throw long against Columbia but second half they did. With all those turnovers in the first half, didn’t think they could do it. They really showed us something in the second half, Alston, O-line, but especially Grooms. Beginning to think he may be the real thing if he can keep free of injuries. I agree that pooch kickoffs didn’t make much sense to me especially as Columbia kept getting excellent field position each time. Was our kicker injured, at least partially? He seemed to punt OK although he did miss that one extra point and they went for two when they were down 23-20 which didn’t make much sense to me. Anybody know?
I would hope that Yale has more than one kicker on the team who can kick into the end zone or at least to the 5 hardline where most teams would call for a fair catch. We gave Columbia an extra 10-20 yards on all of those kicks. Easy starting field position!
I agree. Going for two there made no sense. Yale must have other options at PK if he was injured given the size of our roster. Reno’s strategy was inexplicable today but a win is a win.
I didn’t agree with going for two at 23-20 either, but I think Tony’s reasoning was if Yale got to 22, and Columbia scored to get to 30, Yale would be able to tie with a TD and another two pointer.
A promising win over a very good Ivy League team. Columbia has one of the best coaches in the league and has done some impressive recruiting.
Not really
Congratulations Bulldogs!
Now get ready for a classic “trap” game with Brown.
Congratulations to the Yale Football Team.!! Great job