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Yale 31 Harvard 34

81 replies on “Yale 31 Harvard 34”

In retrospect, I will agree with ‘Anonymous’ in the previous post that the play-calling on the final offensive drive wasn’t bad. But, it could have been better: put both Dudek AND Alston on the field at the same time. Harvard knows you’re going to run the ball, so make them split their focus three ways (33, 24, 12).
I like the idea of doing one designed QB run on that series. But, the second one was a total bust.
On 4th down, the OL execution was severely lacking, turning the play into a wasted effort of just throwing the ball away.
On the subsequent Harvard possession, I don’t know what the LB’s were thinking (or instructed to do) on the 40+ yard pass play; I’ll leave it at that.
From there, giving Harvard 4 cracks at the end zone from 12 yards out was bound to end in defeat. Great effort by the DB’s on the first two downs. And I can’t complain too much about the effort on the TD; the damage had been done by that point. Just another case of, as bulldog10jw has pointed out, the D plays well 90% of the time but then gives up a big play (or stupid penalty).
Blowing both timeouts back-to-back when Harvard is at the 12 yard line is questionable, but not as egregious as not using the timeouts last week against Princeton. Time to bring in an analytics expert on the staff for clock management.
Bottom line: Harvard scored 17 points off “turnovers” (2 INT, and blocked punt). Yale had two takeaways, which were immediately given back to H with interceptions.
This loss was down to execution, more so than coaching, in my opinion. Yale got beat by the arm of a QB who couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn most of the day.

I thought that there was a stretch in the 3rd quarter when Grooms was going for the bomb on every play, when a sustained drive was needed more. Obviously, coaches call ( he ended up 17/37 – not a good percentage).. Nonetheless, Yale had the game won with less than 2 minutes to play. They should have closed this out. I would have punted through the end zone on 4th down and made Harvard go the extra 10-15 yards. As for the 40+ yard completion, I have nothing to add beyond a previous commentator’s observation that this is the way Yale has lost games over the Reno years. Spending your 2 time outs consecutively with H on the 12 yard line seems to me to me to be ridiculous.

Going for the bomb on every play: that’s been the way the offense operated for much of the season. Grooms’ accuracy and decision-making seems hit-or-miss on anything shorter than a bomb. Look at the Att/Comp % for the UConn, Princeton and Harvard games, pretty sub-standard. Look at the games that were won (Columbia, Penn, Brown) – tons of “throw it up and pray” deep balls that were caught. Considering that the short passing game was going nowhere (except into Harvard’s arms) in the first half, I’m not surprised they resorted to throwing deep repeatedly.

I’ve seen too many Harvard comebacks
Instead of playing it safe with runs to absorb the timeouts, fake it go for the first down!

How divHarvard get so open for. a 50’yard completion? Make them drive the field!

I can’t take it!

Agree on the 50 yard completion.

Getting a first down on first down still would not have ended the game given 2:01 left when Yale took over. Harvard had 2 timeouts plus your qb threw 3 picks.

Right strategy was play it safe.

D blown coverage was the issue

Yale led in first downs, rushing yards, passing yards and time of possession, but you can’t win a game with three interceptions and a blocked kick!!

Gentlemen; congratulations to our blue squad especially the seniors on a well fought game. May I humbly suggest although the execution was lacking on critical plays it is the coaches job to put the players in the best position to win. In any other business pink slips would be issued to the defensive backs and split end coaches..

Old Blue, yes there is every reason to be upset at the DB coaches; but pink slips are not forthcoming, not after winning 2 of the previous 3 Ivy titles.

Had we earned those laurels, plus beaten H 3 of the prior 4 GAMES — and had the title been realistically available today — I’d be much more upset than I am now. As it is, I’m mildly annoyed. I totally agree that throwing so many bombs was crazy (true, we took the lead on one) when a better call would have been to run more.

I used to believe in old Professor Thomas Bergin’s posit that Y-H follows a “Law of Impartial Alteration,” because from roughly 1920 though 2000, neither team won more than three GAMES in a row. That law got blown to hell from 2001-2015. If it were still in effect I’d rationalize today’s loss as setting up a win, and hopefully Ivy title, up north November 19, 2022.

Looking at the following link… there’s 9 games, anyone know who we’ll face non-Ivy besides HC and Mercer? UConn? Arizona? Oberlin? Hey, they all really suck!
https://fbschedules.com/ncaa-2022/team/yale

Yale developed a trend during the season , allowing the other team to score wether it was before the half or at the end of a game. Holy Cross or Harvard to win the Game.
They did not have that killer instinct, sloppy penalties. To continue drives for the other teams. They didn’t learn or correct these mistakes. They flourished and got worse as the season continued.
Take care of the penalties, utilize a few other offensive schemes. FIX that sieve you call a defense on all aspects.!!
I look forward to seeing a real QB competition for that slot , next year.?!!

Grooms is the QB for the next two years. Despite the mistakes, his upside is tremendous. He is a potential Ivy offensive player of the year the next two seasons.

I also thought the young offensive line got better every game and Yale has a stable of good running backs and receivers returning.

As mentioned before, the defense overall is solid, but any weakness is in pass defense which is a historic weakness. I’m not sure what the remedy is, but giving up big plays at crucial times must stop. Also, we get far too many personal fouls (on both sides of the ball) and pass interference penalties (mostly from not turning to find the ball).

By the way. Watching that game yesterday, does anyone really think Harvard had more talent?

Agree on Grooms. He is the guy. Just needs to not force throws which he showed in second half willingness to throw it away. DL is legit…need LBs and figure out the issues in secondary.

New kicker and punter would be helpful

Gentlemen; after scanning current roster there appears to be a void in our squad for next year at the linebacker position which may only be solved by current recruiting or potential conversion of larger defensive backs.. As to captain Owens or Nickerson are possible choices.

Bulldog Bill –
How dare you ask Yale for information (2022 opponents) that should be publicly avaiable? The days of knowing future opponents 5-7 years in advance are a 20th century relic, just like viewing practices, attending the scrimmage, accessing a REAL two-deep lineup, and having a functional Sports Information Department. Nowadays, you’re expected to show up on game day, and if you’re lucky, you’ll determine the day’s opponent during pre-game warmups.
Half-joking aside, UConn is not possible for 2022; they have games scheduled on Yale’s two availble dates. I would like to see Richmond come to the Bowl to complete the home-and-home that got canceled by the pandemic. I don’t know if the Spiders have an opening on 10/15, or if they’ll be playing James Madison that day (that was JMU week for them this year). Heck, I don’t even know which date the Yale-Mercer game is, Oct. 1 or Oct. 15. That is apparently, like most things regarding Yale football, a state secret — not to be known by mere mortals.

bulldog10jw –
I couldn’t agree more regarding the need to eliminate personal fouls and pass interference penalties. One gripe I have during the Reno era is that the team (especially the defense) seems to think they are playing for “The U” rather than a Big Three Ivy school. Trash-talking and needlessly-aggressive actions are tolerated more than they should be. And too often, that results in penalty yardage and the continuation of opponents’ drives. And for goodness’ sake, defensive backs, turn around and play the ball once in a while!
The names you floated for captain all seem like good choices. It’s hard to know what goes on behind the scenes, but I suppose we’ll learn the answer to this question soon.

Interesting to note that, based on this year’s playing time, I suspect the 2022 defense will be senior-laden, yet a fair number of those seniors will not have had extensive game experience. Large caveats being: the arrival of the new recruiting class, open competition for spots, and pre-season injuries, my rough guess would be:
DL – Nickerson, Goodyear, Raine, and Oso — all seniors, and all experienced.
LB – graduation of all starters means we’ll have a fresh set of first-stringers next year. Moore, Frommer, Abraham and Vaughn seem like “next men up” — all will be seniors, yet without extensive playing time to date.
DB – Hickey, Oldacre and Owens all were extensive contributors who return as seniors. Holloway (Sr, but injured this year) and Benn (Jr) will likely compete for starting spots.
So, it’s possible that we’re looking at an all-senior defense – or close to it – as of today. Yet, 4 or 5 of my projected starters are relatively new to the first string.

In terms of talent, Harvard had the edge on special teams. Their advantage in talent on the running attack and run defense didnt really show up. So I think we’re pretty even with them.

I’m pretty confident about next year. Grooms will get better and the offensive line will continue to improve. Pantellis and Tipton will be electric.

What we saw yesterday was a sloppy team that committed turnovers, penalties, had a punt blocked for a touchdown, and could not finish the game even when they seemed to have overcome all that.

The talent to win in the Ivy League is there. Harvard may not be more talented but they looked better coached, better prepared, and they have a great kicker.

See you all in the Bowl and up in Cambridge next year, God willing.

Go Bulldogs!!!

Owens reminds me of Foye Oluokun. Though not as big, I think has the has same kind of versatility to shift from db to lb and has two more years of eligibility. Old blue is right we will need to find some talent to fill the two-deep vacancies at this position.

Harvard will be number 1 next year they have almost every one back. The offense line and defense are loaded with talent all young players. They could go 10 -0. Yale will be in forth place next year do not trust the DB on defense or the QB and line on offense. Also yale will have to replace this years LB not going to be easy to do. See ya next year.

On another note , Sacred Heart plays Holy Cross in Worcester on Saturday . In the 1st round FCS Playoffs on Saturday. At noon. ESPN +
UNH Chargers play Kutztown State in Pa on Saturday at 1:00 in the Division 2 playoffs

Awesome Harvard talent didn’t win that game.
Three interceptions and a blocked punt for a touchdown and we were still ahead with a minute to play.
Yale playing not to lose instead of going for the throat when they had the chance is what lost it.
Teams need to learn how to finish games.
We didn’t do that this year – Holy Cross, Dartmouth, UConn, Harvard – 18 points, 4 losses.
Let’s kick their Cambridge ass next year.

To Yale fans Yale will finish 4 next year they will have the same problems next year how to fix the DB problem and giving up points at the end of games. And please no more pooch kicks get someone who can handle the kicking . Give the kid Shamus Floris a try or recruit someone who can kick

To bad he was a game changer. To bad Yale couldn’t hold onto him. He would have made difference.
Yale’s made some strides, good luck with that vision of future. Screw the community and the locals.
Good decision Jaydon Good Luck to you

He’ll be fine, he won’t have to be around and underperforming team. Nor a nit wit for a head coach.
He wants a big time program. Not play in front of 2,000 people for 9 games, then 40,000 every other year.

Hope Yale coaches were paying attention to Michigan’s OL. Now THAT’S the way to open holes for running backs!

gentlemen; beyond the pressing need for middle linebackers was there a reason for the game program to have our blue captain in an away uniform and cantab captain in a home uniform.

That’s what happens when cover design is fobbed off on the inexperienced/incompetent and printed months ahead of time. Perhaps even before it was decided to bury 2020 and go with the 2021 schedule. Equally bad in my view were the 2021 covers that featured graduated players like Captain 88.

Even worse is my worry that H will overtake us before I go to my rewards. You young guys should resign yourself to that.

And while I’m about it, a question for RAY. Has there been any positive recruiting news in the last couple months?

I remember thinking in the early 60’s that Princeton would overtake us. The streak took care of that. While I don’t think there will be a similar streak against H, the talent level of the teams seems to be more equitable now than during Harvard’s streak.

I also remember thinking back then, will Michigan overtake us for most wins? That became a certainty when the Big 10, etc. started playing two or three more games each year and Yale became mediocre after the infamous Giamatti de-emphasis speech.

I WILL NEVER EVER RESIGN MYSELF TO THAT EVER.!!! H CAN GO TO HELL AND ENJOY THE RIDE. IN IT’S HAM BASKET.!!!
FOR THAT MATTER PRINCETON, DARTMOUTH . CAN JOIN THOSE BASTARDS.!!! AS WELL.!!!

We lost to harvard in football a terrible lose to those guys up north we yale fans will be talking about this one for years. What do the coaches think about this lose ? We the fans what to here what they think , The moderators are not saying a thing about the game get real and do your jobs. Every other game you did are you that scared of the coaches then get another job. Remember if you can’t stand the heat in the kitchen get out.

No Doucheberry , it was inept coaching.
Vicky , did a hellva job in packing the Bowl. Would have been nice to have a JV game. But in this day of 4th place pursuits . What ya gonna do..?
As I remember, RIW said “After 10 years of coaching. Reno, is still a D student.”. A perfect summation of him.
As far as people like you and people of the ilk. Of you.
Take a long walk off a pier in deep water.

Say what you will about Reno, he’s won 2 of the last 4 Ivy titles, and 3 of the last 5 Y-H games. Compare that to his two predecessors.
He’s also given us an exciting offense with sh*tloads of QB, WR and RB talent.
No complaints from me.

Bulldog Bill, yes Reno’s accomplishments are great. But what he did for last season, Not so much.
He had the talent, to much better than a 5-5 record. His assessment of talent keeping O’Conner as the QB against Holy Cross, UConn,and Dartmouth. In the pandemic. He interpreted, The New Orlean Saints . Drew Breeze the passer (O’Conner) Mays the scrambler (Grooms).
Instead it would have been prudent to change or at least put a wrinkle in the offensive scheme .
How many times did the Defense , give up the big play before halftime. Or losses at the end of the game. Holy Cross and Harvard in particular. Oh don’t forget the endless stupid penalties. Not being able to correct that mentality. He has had a problem with that for years. Maybe bring in a consultant to help out these kids. He doesn’t have the answer.
The only team that really handled Yale , was Princeton. Yale looked lost in that game. To me they were a much better team than what they showed. So yes Reno has accomplished 2 championships in 4 years. Reached 50 wins in 9 years. It’s ok to get better talent. But it’s what you do with that talent . That makes you a good coach or great coach. To me Murphy, Surace, Teevens and Bagmoli are great coaches. Reno , is good coach. Hopefully he will be a great coach someday.

Interesting just like Yale. .? Well they’re making a game of it . Holy Cross 10 Villanova 21
Also their record is 10-2 not 5-5

Autung Controversial call Harvard got screwed by again inept officials. Please get over yourself.
High and mighty Ivy League, one step away from Division 2 caliber.

Any given Saturday, theories are useless. HC made it to the 2nd round of the FCS playoffs. Did Dartmouth or Princeton do that.? NO they did not.
Secondly I didn’t say HC was better than any of those teams. DID I .?!! Learn to comprehend.

I see that the Connecticut State Football Championships. Are being played at Trumbull and New Britain High schools.
Why doesn’t Yale host them.? Put a little life in for the kids. ?
The kids , towns would appreciate this.. it’s the little things . That people remember.

gentlemen; the suggestion for the bowl to host the Connecticut high school championships is insightful,, admirable and appropriate therefore well beyond the comprehension of the current administration.

Especially , now that it’s artificial surface. Very easy up keep. Maybe have about 10,000 people.
Yale can make parking money and take a portion of the gate. Because that’s what they do.

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