Reno’s decision to start freshman quarterback Griffin O’Connor versus Brown was the perfect move at the right time. O’Connor exploded for 436 passing yards with 4 touchdowns and no interceptions. He was named STATS FCS Player of the Week, Co-Ivy League Offensive Player of the Week, and Ivy League Freshman of the Week. Klubnik and Shohfi were unstoppable as they each caught two touchdowns and had over 100 yards receiving. Rouse bounced back with 5 catches for 67 yards and a dynamic punt return. The offensive line had its best performance of the season opening holes for the running backs and keeping the defenders away from O’Connor. Lamar finished with 76 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Alston added 67 yards and a touchdown.
The defensive linemen and linebackers were simply too much for Brown to handle. Brown was held to -27 yards rushing on 17 attempts thanks to the physicality of our front seven. The Bulldogs sacked McGovern 7 times and racked up 8 tackles for losses. Ryan Burke was a key contributor with 6 tackles, 2 sacks and 3 tackles for losses. Rodney Thomas had a great diving interception. The pass defense wasn’t nearly as dominant as the run defense. McGovern threw for 358 yards as we struggled to stop the outside passes to running backs, tight ends and receivers. Pass interference penalties helped keep Brown drives alive on a couple of occasions.
Yale racked up an embarrassing 12 penalties for 131 yards on the afternoon. The special teams were much improved, although the field goal team still struggled. The coaching staff did a fantastic job preparing for Brown and we need that to continue this week heading into the most difficult contest of the season.
3 replies on “Notes on the Win over Brown”
This should be a very exciting game! Griffin O’Connor will be the unknown for the P ton defense.
YALE offense line must play their best game of the season as well as their defense line. As I said all season they have the talent they must play with the intensity on every down to win this game. No stupid penalties or any penalties would be welcomed as well as no trash talking. Live your hearts on the field and victory will be hours.
They YALE ghosts of seasons pass will come out to haunt the Tigers squad Saturday and bring an emotional win for the BULLDOGS.
Let’s go BIG BAD BLUE it’s our turn to break some Princeton hearts Would love to see the BULLDOGS ruin the Tigers undefeated season.
GO YALE!!
Three things that have not been corrected over the whole season: pass defense, penalties and place kicking (which used to be so reliable). Not logical to expect them to be corrected now.
The offense, however, has grown with each game, with the exception of the Columbia game. Griffen O’Connor is a real find! Unfortunately he cannot do anything about those three weaknesses.
Who is O’Connor’s backup? Conte or Check?