Category: Game Week

The Yale Bulldogs fell to the Cornell Big Red by a score of 38–25 in a disastrous Ivy League opener for Cahill.

Offensively, the Elis were doomed from the start with Reno sidelined by an injury and an ineffective rushing attack. Hewitt was forced into the first action of his career and threw two ugly interceptions, one of which was nearly returned for a touchdown. It was evident that Hewitt had not seen many live plays with the starters, as he seemed uncomfortable in the pocket, even under little duress at times, and gave up easy sacks. Whether it was fielding snaps, handing the ball off, or making the decision to scramble, everything just seemed disjointed and delayed. Eventually, Hewitt settled down and got into a rhythm with a few tremendous plays, such as the 4th-down touchdown pass and the 2-point conversion toss, but by that point in the contest it was too little, too late, as the defense failed to slow the Big Red’s assault. The rushing attack improved slightly from Week 1 but still lacked any sense of explosiveness that could lead to big plays. HDK ran for 56 yards on 14 carries (4.0 ypc), while Cuttler added 23 yards on 8 carries (2.9 ypc). Running the ball on 3^rd and long appeared to be a sign of defeat, as there was simply no hope of picking up the first down. The receivers and tight ends were not given as many opportunities to shine as last week, given the turmoil at quarterback, yet there were still strong performances from Santiago (58 yards and a touchdown), Smith (53 yards and a touchdown), Anderson (39 yards) and Jones (35 yards). The offensive line really needed to step up its game to give the Bulldogs a chance and ultimately failed to improve much from Week 1. Run blocking improved slightly from the Holy Cross game but needed to progress by leaps and bounds, given the reliance on inexperienced runners. Pass blocking was not terrible overall, despite the two sacks allowed, although Hewitt’s greenness required a perfectly clean pocket. The main gripe with the offensive line in this contest was simply the lack of physicality. Most of the offensive failures stem from a lack of preparation: the 2nd-string signal caller clearly did not see enough action in practice with the rest of the first team, play calling was not designed for Hewitt’s strengths, and the ground game remains feeble.

While the offense was hamstrung by the loss of its leader, the defensive blunders were even more disappointing. The Bulldogs held up well in the first quarter, allowing only a touchdown on a very short field after an interception, but the tables turned beginning in the 2^nd quarter. Schutzman missed an open-field tackle on a running back after a catch, Eastep was out of position on a long pass, Webster was called for pass interference, and Cornell was able to sneak its quarterback in for a score. Unfortunately, that sequence of events continued to unfold as the game progressed. The defensive line mustered just one sack on the afternoon against a below-average offensive line and allowed 126 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns. Bass-Sulpizio looked more comfortable in the pocket than he ever has in his career. Grant led the team with 11 tackles, yet still struggled at times, most notably on a long running back reception. The secondary did not receive any favors from the defensive line, but the level of play we witnessed is unacceptable for this experienced unit. Webster’s a liability for a pass interference call anytime the ball is thrown in his direction. Kamara was beaten on an outside route for a first down and was unusually quiet on the afternoon. Daniyan was cited for a costly penalty and did not play up to expectations. Eastep continues to miss coverages and tackles. The other cornerback position remains in disarray with Barkley-Smith, White and Banks all seeing time there in search of a solution. While the nation is focused on the Cornell Seven case, the Elis were assaulted by the Cornell Eleven on offense.

Piper’s 40-yard field goal in the 2^nd quarter was a highlight of the afternoon, and Keeney performed well, given the high wind gusts, with a 39.6-yard punting average. Santiago’s failure to catch a punt allowed Cornell to change field position by 75 yards.

The Bulldogs head to Ithaca, NY to face the Cornell Big Red on Saturday. Kickoff is slated for 1 PM and the game will air on ESPN+.

Cornell lost to Colgate in week one by a score of 20-7, but that was a difficult opening-day opponent for the Big Red. This Yale-Cornell game is always a hard-fought battle as an Ivy opener, and this one is expected to go down to the wire.

Offensively, the unit is quarterbacked by Senior QB Garrett Bass-Sulpizio (6’5″, 231 lbs.), a big-framed signal-caller who returns with some starting experience this year, though he notably struggled with decision-making and pressure against Colgate by completing 18 of 37 passes for 132 yards and 3 interceptions. Despite those passing struggles, he was their leading rusher with 5 carries for 52 yards, including an explosive 22-yard scamper, and while he managed to avoid being sacked, he frequently forced balls into tight coverage as his pocket fundamentals broke down under heavy pressure. Naturally, we have to expect him to look sharper this week since Cornell boasts an impressive stable of receiving talent. Junior RB Jordan Triplett (5’10”, 205 lbs.) averaged an efficient 5.3 yards per carry despite being limited to just 4 carries, proving himself to be a solid all-purpose back who came on strong last year by churning out 454 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns. Senior RB Ean Pope (5’7″, 182 lbs.) provides a speedy veteran presence out of the backfield. Cornell features a solid rushing attack to account for, and they will really try to make Yale pay on the ground this weekend. Through the air, Senior WR Samuel Musungu (6’0″, 192 lbs.) is a very dangerous deep threat who earned 2nd-team All-Ivy honors in 2024 before missing the 2025 campaign with an injury. Sophomore WR Ja’von Broussard (6’1″, 193 lbs.) serves as another rising weapon for the Big Red alongside the massive Junior WR TJ Hamilton (6’6″, 254 lbs.). Quick and productive pass-catcher and rusher Senior WR Brendan Lee (5’11”, 189 lbs.) adds another dynamic threat, while Senior TE Ryder Kurtz (6’5″, 250 lbs.) is a 2nd-team All-Ivy selection from last season who ripped Yale apart with 9 catches. Their offensive line averages 303.3 lbs. across the board with only 1 returning starter in the mix. They held their own reasonably well in the rushing game and did not allow a single sack last week, even though their quarterback was frequently forced to scramble out of danger. Defensively, our front line has to step up big this week. We need to maintain stellar outside containment while creating consistent interior disruption. Our linebackers must fit their gaps cleanly and wrap up securely in space. We simply have to make their quarterback uncomfortable to relieve pressure on the secondary. Calculated blitzes will be necessary whenever the situation calls for them. From a secondary perspective, Cornell features tons of dangerous receiving targets to account for. That means we must strictly limit mental mistakes in coverage and take much better angles on opposing ball carriers. This is especially important because they are likely to run heavily against us early on while throwing a trick play into the mix.

The Big Red defense is anchored by Senior S Johnny Williamson (6’1″, 205 lbs.), who racked up 7 tackles, 1 interception, and a sack against Colgate. Junior LB Cooper Cameron (6’1″, 231 lbs.) added 9 tackles and a sack last week, while Senior S Tommy MacPherson (6’2″, 198 lbs.) led the team with 11 tackles and a sack. Junior LB Ian Wall (6’4″, 234 lbs.) also chipped in 9 tackles. Up front, Junior DT Tommy Ducker (6’3″, 280 lbs.) played well against Colgate with 6 tackles and a deflected pass. Sophomore DE Saeed Moghaddam Adames (6’6″, 253 lbs.) brings a huge frame and performed brilliantly in his first varsity action with 6 tackles and half a tackle for loss. Sophomore DE Dalten Phelan (6’2″, 236 lbs.) operates as a speedy outside linebacker and pass-rushing threat. Senior CB Braylon Howard (6’0″, 167 lbs.) and local Hamden Hall product Junior CB Tyler Gibson (6’1″, 181 lbs.) round out the secondary. Cornell put together a fierce pass rush against Colgate by racking up 4 sacks. They also aggressively brought defensive backs and linebackers on timely blitzes, holding Colgate to just 7 of 18 on third downs while limiting opponents to 3.7 yards per carry. They proved somewhat more susceptible through the air, however, yielding 7.6 yards per attempt after an early deep strike where a wideout burned a corner. Cornell likely feels intensely confident in their ability to stuff Yale’s rushing attack. They will undoubtedly focus extra coverage on Anderson and Santiago while heavily pressuring Reno. That means our Bulldogs will have to keep them entirely off balance with screens, end-arounds, short tight-end routes, and creative rushing plays. We need to keep the sticks moving while also finding ways to burn the clock. The pressure is squarely on our offensive line this week to carve out reliable pathways for the young runners and keep Reno upright. There will definitely be opportunities to exploit their secondary downfield, but we cannot afford to force balls into tight coverage early.

Special teams present another critical test, featuring Sophomore P Caden Lesiewicz (5’11”, 185 lbs.), who averaged an impressive 45.8 yards per punt last week with one kick downed neatly inside the red zone. While Cornell did not attempt a field goal, Senior K Alan Zhao (6’0″, 206 lbs.) made his lone PAT attempt and earned honorable mention All-Ivy status in 2024, while the explosive Brendan Lee remains a talented return man we must account for. Special teams as a whole has to clean up the sloppy miscues witnessed against Holy Cross, because Cornell is a significantly stronger football team all-around.

Go Bulldogs! Beat the Big Red!

The Bulldogs defeated the Holy Cross Crusaders on Saturday in a tough 38-28 contest that earned Coach Cahill his first win as Yale’s head coach. While the opening-week victory gives the squad something to build on, the film reveals plenty of issues that need to be ironed out before conference play ramps up.

Quarterback Reno put together a massive performance under center, taking heavy punishment from blitzes yet finishing 30-of-43 for 454 yards and five touchdowns with zero interceptions. His primary targets put up video-game numbers: Santiago hauled in 12 catches for 234 yards and two touchdowns (including a 75-yard house call), while Anderson added nine receptions for 155 yards and two scores. Tight ends also came up clutch when it mattered most, with Smith hauling in a key 28-yard touchdown reception and Wagner hanging onto the football through a punishing hit.

However, the rest of the offense left a lot to be desired. Kemp continues to struggle with drops at wide receiver, and the rushing attack was virtually nonexistent, managing just 70 net yards on 30 carries (a 2.3 yards-per-carry average). HDK and Adams split the carries and both are exceptional runners in space and great receiving threats but lack the power and vision to be inside rushing threats. The offensive line had a tough day across the board: pass protection leaked, run blocking was stagnant, and the unit struggled to pick up blitzes. Penalties and mental mistakes stalled drives, highlighted by a holding call on Lewis, a mauling of St. Aubyn that led to a sack, a false start by McGown, and an offense that managed just 3 rushing first downs and 3 penalty first downs all afternoon, going 7-of-16 on third down and losing the time of possession battle (29:34 to 30:26).

Defensively, Yale was pushed around and struggled to find consistent containment. The secondary had bright spots as Schmidt led the team with 10 tackles despite not earning a starting spot, Daniyan added eight tackles and a game-sealing interception, Kamara was very active in run and pass support and displayed some of the best tackling of the day, and Webster played well in coverage albeit with a penalty. Grant flashed ability but missed too many open-field stops, while Schutzman struggled to generate production or defeat blockers and suffered a costly gaffe when a punt bounced off him.

Up front, the defensive line was heavily neutralized. Tackles Fadeyibi and Tate—the latter not officially listed on the roster at #94—along with Austin and Johnson, performed well below expectations at defensive tackle, while freshman Ohakawa saw brief action in reserve. Jackson Bass was up-and-down, and Cave failed to maintain outside containment or generate a consistent pass rush. While Hutton made the defensive play of the day with a strip-sack that Yale unfortunately failed to recover, Coleman has not yet evolved into a true game-wrecker.

The numbers tell the story: Holy Cross’s top back gashed the defense for 120 yards, while their powerful backup repeatedly shrugged off weak arm-tackles and threw a touchdown. Eastep still proved to be a liability with poor angles in pursuit and a penalty, though he did have solid coverage late in the contest. It remains an odd configuration that Daniyan and Schmidt have to split time at free safety when you want your top tacklers on the field in a 5-DB array. Still, the defense did hold Holy Cross to 153 yards passing and under 50% completion (17-for-40).

Special teams also had a messy afternoon, featuring a blocked field goal, a bad punt snap (or a failed fake attempt?), though Pandolfi provided a top highlight with a crushing block on a kickoff. Has Pandolfi’s explosiveness been overlooked by the offensive coaches?

It was a very forgiving first opponent, but the mistakes need to be cleaned up in a hurry. Special teams, blocking assignments, and fundamental tackling must improve drastically this week if the Bulldogs expect to secure a win against Cornell.

Yale Offense

• LT
  • 73 Gray McGown (So., 6-6, 310)
  • 76 Thomas Hoey (So., 6-4, 295)
• LG
  • 77 Aderian Adelabu (So., 6-5, 320)
  • 72 Bennett Anderson (Jr., 6-5, 290)
• C
  • 55 Dylan Garrity (Sr., 6-4, 295)
  • 53 John Prokapus III (So., 6-3, 290)
• RG
  • 69 Quinton Lewis (Sr., 6-4, 310)
  • 62 Jimmy Randazzo (So., 6-5, 285)
• RT
  • 54 Jackson St. Aubyn (Sr., 6-5, 295)
  • 59 Zavier Avera (Sr., 6-5, 300)
• TE
  • 9 Graham Smith (Sr., 6-5, 245)
  • 22 Brady Wagner (Jr., 6-4, 240)
• RB
  • 6 Hugo Djeumeni Kemeni (So., 6-0, 215)
  • 5 Cuttler Adams (Jr., 6-0, 210)
• WR
  • 1 Lucius Anderson (So., 6-3, 205)
  • 10 Kyle Maltarich (Jr., 6-2, 193)
• WR
  • 18 Jaxton Santiago (Jr., 6-3, 211)
  • 16 Garon Kemp (Sr., 6-1, 193)
• WR
  • 4 Reid Jones (So., 6-3, 197)
  • 17 Robby Tattersall (Sr., 6-5, 230)
• QB
  • 2 Dante Reno (Jr., 6-2, 205)
  • 7 Charles Hewitt (So., 6-5, 235)

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Yale Defense

• DL
  • 33 James Cave (Jr., 6-5, 250)
  • 45 Jevidi Hutton (So., 6-2, 230)
• DL
  • 54 Babawale Fadeyibi (Sr., 6-3, 270)
  • 96 Jaylin Tate (Sr., 6-4, 295)
• DL
  • 99 Cooper Austin (Sr., 6-2, 290)
  • 93 Mack Johnson (Jr., 6-3, 285)
• DL
  • 1 Zairion Jackson-Bass (Sr., 6-3, 265)
  • 23 Xavier Coleman (So., 6-2, 244)
• LB
  • 50 Jesse Schutzman (Jr., 6-2, 227)
  • 12 Steven Partin (Jr., 6-1, 230)
• LB
  • 8 Phoenix Grant (Sr., 6-2, 225)
  • 44 Eddie Palumbo (Jr., 6-3, 230)
• DB
  • 4 Abu Kamara (Sr., 6-0, 208)
  • 32 Cameron Nelson (So., 6-2, 205)
• CB
  • 14 Charles Barkley-Smith (Jr., 5-11, 185)
  • 2 Chris White (Jr., 6-1, 195)
• FS
  • 0 Osize Daniyan (Sr., 6-0, 205)
  • 15 JP Schmidt (Jr., 6-0, 200)
• SS
  • 5 Billy Eastep (Jr., 6-2, 210)
  • 39 Jalaal Abdullah (Fy., 6-1, 186)
• CB
  • 7 Brandon Webster (Sr., 6-0, 190)
  • 9 Brandon Banks (Jr., 5-11, 185)

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Yale Specialists

• P
  • 27 Reese Keeney (Jr., 5-11, 190)
  • 36 Noah Piper (So., 6-2, 180)
• PK
  • 36 Noah Piper (So., 6-2, 180)
  • 27 Reese Keeney (Jr., 5-11, 190)
• S
  • 55 Joey Fortner (Sr., 6-2, 235)
  • 52 Colby Connell (Jr., 5-10, 190)
• KR
  • 1 Lucius Anderson (So., 6-3, 205)
  • 5 Cuttler Adams (Jr., 6-0, 210)
• PR
  • 18 Jaxton Santiago (Jr., 6-3, 211)
  • 1 Lucius Anderson (So., 6-3, 205)

The Bulldogs head to Worcester, MA to face the Holy Cross Crusaders on Saturday. Kickoff is slated for 2 PM ET and the game will air on ESPN+.

This is the opening contest of the Kevin Cahill era in New Haven. Cahill spent 2012-22 on the Yale staff, the last five seasons as assistant head coach and offensive coordinator, before leaving for Lehigh, where he went 23-14 with back-to-back Patriot League titles and took home the 2025 Eddie Robinson Award. He knows this opponent as well as anyone on either sideline, holding a 2-1 record against Holy Cross from his Mountain Hawk days, while Dan Curran is 0-2 against Yale. Elis enter ranked #19 nationally and were picked first in the Ivy League preseason poll, drawing 15 of the 16 first-place votes after sharing the 2025 title and winning an FCS Playoff game at Youngstown State.

Holy Cross enters the contest with an 0-3 record after facing a brutal trio of Lehigh, Colgate and Miami (OH). Unlike last September, none of these have been close. The Crusaders fell 35-10 at home to #11 Lehigh, dropped an identical 35-10 decision at Colgate, and were beaten 45-7 at FBS Miami (Ohio). Holy Cross has been outscored 115-27 on the season, averaging 9.0 points per game while surrendering 38.3, and is being outgained 425.7 to 300.7 yards per game at 5.1 yards per play to the opposition’s 7.6. That follows a 3-9 campaign in 2025 that snapped a run of six consecutive Patriot League titles or shared titles, and the Crusaders were picked sixth in the league’s preseason poll. Still, this is a dangerous spot for an opener. Holy Cross has three games of live reps and Yale has none, the Crusaders are rounding into midseason shape, and Fitton Field will be full for Family Weekend. This is an early test as always.

The Crusaders’ offense is led by junior QB David Lynch (6’3″, 215 lbs.), a Pittsburgh transfer who returns close to his native East Greenwich, R.I., after seeing action in three games for the Panthers in 2024, including the GameAbove Sports Bowl against Toledo. Lynch has completed 57.0% of his passes for 718 yards with 2 touchdowns and 5 interceptions, a 113.91 rating, and has managed just 22 net rushing yards on 12 carries. He put up a 313-yard game on 25-of-40 passing against Lehigh and 264 yards at Colgate before being held to 141 yards on 13-of-25 at Miami. Senior QB Cal Swanson (6’3″, 210 lbs.), who started the first six games of 2025 before a season-ending injury, and sophomore QB Dominic Campanile (6’1″, 220 lbs.) are both available and have Division I starts on their résumés. Sophomore RB Joseph Williams (5’7″, 180 lbs.) is the leading returner and was named to Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks List” as one of the most explosive athletes in college football, though he has managed only 96 yards on 38 carries (2.5 per attempt) with the team’s lone rushing touchdown. Junior RB Jake Croce (5’11”, 208 lbs.), a Saint Anselm transfer with nearly 1,200 career yards and 10 touchdowns, and junior RB Datrell Jones (5’10”, 185 lbs.), a Boston College transfer, round out a committee that has produced just 61.3 rushing yards per game at 2.4 per carry. Junior WR Ty Curran (5’11”, 190 lbs.) leads the receiving corps with 12 catches for 163 yards, including a career day of 130 yards on seven receptions at Colgate. Junior WR Myles Abernathy (6’3″, 210 lbs.), a Georgia State transfer, has 10 grabs for 138 yards in two appearances. Sophomore WR Lincoln Fisher (6’2″, 200 lbs.) is the big-play threat on the outside at 15.7 yards per reception with a touchdown and a long of 32, and he had a breakout game against Yale a year ago. Junior WR SirCharles Gordon (6’3″, 195 lbs.) has six catches for 86 yards with a 36-yard long, and sophomore TE Drae Tyme (6’5″, 250 lbs.) is averaging 20.25 yards a catch with a 59-yard reception, the longest play of the Crusader season. The offensive line is headlined by fifth-year C Cam Nolan (6’3″, 305 lbs.), a two-time captain, Preseason All-American, Preseason All-Patriot League selection, 2025 first-team All-Patriot League and All-New England honoree, and the team’s offensive player of the year, who slides inside to center after 20 consecutive starts at right guard. He is flanked by senior LT Bradford Blattner (6’6″, 310 lbs.) and senior RT Bennett Nunnally (6’5″, 300 lbs.), both returning starters, with transfer guards Kuba Tyszka (6’6″, 300 lbs.) of North Dakota and Theo Bachelder (6’6″, 315 lbs.) of Old Dominion expected to make an instant impact. The projected front five averages 306.0 lbs. across the board, and the group has actually protected Lynch reasonably well — just two sacks allowed in three games, though 18 tackles for loss surrendered. The key for the Bulldogs in this contest will be to force the Crusaders to drive the length of the field and limit the explosive plays, because nothing in three games suggests Holy Cross can string together twelve-play marches. The Crusaders are converting just 34.4% on third down and have scored on only five of nine red zone trips for 27 total points, giving the ball away twice inside the 20 and failing on downs twice more.

Holy Cross returns talent on defense, but the unit has not been able to generate pressure or takeaways. Senior Edge Carlo Crocetti (6’3″, 240 lbs.) is a stud and the team’s top returning tackler. He posted 48 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks for 66 yards in 2025, the most sacks on the team, along with an interception and four quarterback hurries, and he has moved from off-ball linebacker to a full-time edge role after starting every game at linebacker a season ago. Senior LB Adam Due (6’2″, 220 lbs.) has been the most active defender on the roster with a team-best 27 tackles, including a 13-stop performance at Colgate, after a breakout 2025 that produced 47 tackles, five tackles for loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles, an interception and two blocked punts. Junior LB Will Miller (6’2″, 220 lbs.) is second on the team with 20 tackles, and junior LB Ron Burton (6’0″, 205 lbs.) has added 13 with 1.5 tackles for loss. Junior LB Jalen Rambert (6’1″, 240 lbs.), a Wofford transfer who led the Terriers with 89 tackles and 9.5 tackles for loss last season, brings real experience to the second level. Senior S Garrett Baldwin (6’0″, 190 lbs.) has been the most complete player in the secondary with 12 tackles, three pass breakups and the team’s only sack. Senior S Chisom Onwuzurigbo (6’1″, 200 lbs.) is a captain and a four-year contributor who recorded 31 tackles, an interception and a team-leading four pass breakups in 2025, while junior S Braden Haas (6’1″, 205 lbs.) owns the lone Crusader interception this season. Sophomore CB Cam Boone (5’11”, 180 lbs.), a Robert Morris transfer, leads the team with four pass breakups, and junior CB Juju Tackie (5’11”, 210 lbs.) arrives from Wake Forest. The defensive line has been almost entirely rebuilt through the portal with junior DL Cooper Ackerman (6’4″, 260 lbs.) from UConn, junior DL Gabe Flores (6’1″, 270 lbs.) from Chattanooga, junior DL Aidan Horodnik (6’2″, 285 lbs.) from Stonehill and junior DL Brady Fodor (6’3″, 285 lbs.) from UConn joining sophomore DT Vin Ferrara (6’1″, 280 lbs.), who totaled 25 tackles in 11 games as a freshman. The results so far have been thin: seven tackles for loss, one sack and one interception in three games, with opponents completing 67.3% at 11.69 yards per attempt and eight passing touchdowns. Yale has to protect Reno at all costs — Crocetti is the one man on that front capable of wrecking a series, and the Bulldogs set a high bar by allowing only 13 sacks over 12 games in 2025. The Elis will also need to win in the trenches in run blocking to give the new backs opportunities. From there it is about exploiting coverage gaps. Smith and Wagner need heavy looks — TE Graham Smith caught nine balls for two touchdowns and both tight ends are built to punish a secondary that has been chasing all month. Nobody has a snap of tape on the Cahill offense at Yale, which cuts both ways, but if the front does not create movement early, use the pass game to open the run game rather than banging the head against it.

Sophomore K Owen Saraceno (5’8″, 170 lbs.) has been perfect but untested, going 2-for-2 on field goals with both attempts coming from the 20-29 range and a long of 26, along with a clean 3-for-3 on extra points. He handles kickoffs as well, averaging 61.9 yards with two touchbacks after averaging 58.8 yards with seven touchbacks in 2025. Junior P Ethan Moss (5’10”, 190 lbs.) handled all punting duties a year ago and was the hero of the Richmond win, averaging 45.1 yards on seven attempts with a career-long 67-yarder and a late 56-yard boot that pinned the Spiders at their own three, but he has struggled badly this fall at 36.40 yards per punt with a long of 43 and, remarkably, not a single punt downed inside the 20. As a team, Holy Cross is averaging 33.15 yards per punt with a net of 28.23 and has already had one blocked, while opponents are netting 41.25 against them with four punts inside the 20. That is roughly a free first down on every exchange, and Yale should feast on it. Reese Keeney averaged 41.39 yards on 41 punts last season with a 36.0 net, a long of 63, five boots of 50-plus, nine inside the 20 and zero blocked, while Noah Piper connected on 13 of 15 field goals at 86.7%, hit all eight attempts inside 40 yards, went 4-for-6 from 40-49 with a long of 50, and converted 31 of 32 extra points for 70 points. The return game tilts the same direction. Yale averaged 25.0 yards per kickoff return in 2025 behind Joshua Tarver’s 27.5-yard average and 63-yard long, while allowing only 14.94, and Holy Cross is averaging 16.75 on kickoff returns and a nearly nonexistent 2.33 on punt returns with a long of six. The one soft spot for the Elis is punt return, where they managed just 5.36 yards per attempt last season while allowing 12.10 — and there is yardage to be had, as Holy Cross has already surrendered 9.14 per punt return and a return touchdown this year. Two words of caution: Due blocked two punts in 2025 and the protection unit cannot fall asleep on him, and the Crusaders have a new special teams coordinator in Jimmy Walsh, meaning Yale gets a first look at whatever fakes and pressures have been saved up. For an 0-3 home team facing a ranked opponent on Family Weekend, a trick play in the third quarter is exactly the sort of thing that keeps them breathing. Yale’s special teams units will need to limit the mental mistakes to secure a win.

Go Bulldogs! Beat the Crusaders!

The Yale Bulldogs head to Bozeman, Montana for a showdown versus the Montana State Bobcats in the second round of the FCS Playoffs. Kickoff is slated for 2 PM EST and the game will air on ESPN+.

The Bobcats are the second ranked squad in the FCS and are on a 10-game winning streak following early season losses to Oregon and South Dakota State. Montana State will be well rested after a bye week and the team is carrying strong momentum from a win over their archrival, Montana, in the Brawl of the Wild in Missoula. In terms of talent, Yale hasn’t faced athletes as fast and physical as those from Montana State since the loss to UConn in 2021. Coaching across the board is excellent with the Bobcats making very few critical mistakes.

Montana State’s offense is led by junior QB Justin Lamson (6’2”, 210 lbs.) who is far more seasoned than his class year would indicate as he spent two years at Syracuse and another two years at Stanford prior to the transfer to MSU. Lamson is a true dual threat quarterback with the ability to beat teams with his arm or legs. Lamson has completed 72.4% of his passes for 20 touchdowns and only 2 interceptions. In the ground game, Lamson averages 4.4 yards per carry and leads the Bobcats with 11 rushing touchdowns. Senior RB Julius Davis (5’10”, 210 lbs.) is an explosive, strong back who is averaging 7.3 yards per carry and has become adept at leaping over defenders in the open field. Sophomore RB Adam Jones (6’1”, 200 lbs.) is a team captain as an underclassman and has had an impressive 5.6 yards per carry with 10 rushing touchdowns. Jones is also a threat on passing downs with 25 receptions on the season. Junior WR Taco Dowler (5’9”, 170 lbs.) is an electric athlete who was named a 2nd Team All-Big Sky wideout and a 1st Team All-Big Sky punt returner. The Bobcats love to move Dowler around to find favorable matchups and he’s torched defenses for 59 receptions for 745 yards and 5 receiving touchdowns. Redshirt freshman WR Dane Steel (5’10”, 178 lbs.) has been excellent in his first collegiate season with 30 catches for 355 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Redshirt freshman TE Rocky Lencioni (6’3”, 220 lbs.) is another receiving weapon who is often targeted in the redzone with 5 touchdown receptions, while sophomore TE Rylan Schlepp (6’4”, 235 lbs.) is a solid run blocker who is occasionally targeted in the passing game. MSU’s offensive line averages 298.0 lbs. across the board and is far superior to any offensive line faced in recent memory. Junior OT Titan Fleischmann (6’4”, 300 lbs.) is the leader of the Bobcats’ offensive line and was named a 1^st Team All-Big Sky offensive lineman in 2025. Lamson has only been sacked 26 times through 12 games and typically is undisturbed in the pocket. The big men up front for the Bobcats have worn down opposing defensive fronts as they paved the way for 5.8 yards per carry. Success defensively for the Bulldogs will need to start up front with disruption at the line of scrimmage on rushing plays and pressure on Lamson on passing downs. Lamson will be eager to run on the Elis after watching film from the first half of last week’s contest and the Bulldogs will need defenders to deliver crushing blows on Lamson in the open field to make him think twice about departing the pocket. Blitzes will need to be heavily disguised as Lamson had made teams pay when showing blitz packages. In the secondary, the focus has to be on shutting down Taco Dowler as he has almost twice the number of receptions as the next leading receiver.

MSU’s defense is even more impressive than its offense led by the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year, junior S Caden Dowler (6’0”, 205 lbs.). Dowler has racked up 78 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 4 interceptions, and 2 forced fumbles over a very impressive season to date. The Bobcats’ entire starting defensive front earned All-Big Sky honors with seniors Paul Brott (6’3”, 300 lbs.) and Kenneth Eiden IV (6’1”, 250 lbs.) earning 1^st Team nods while seniors Alec Eckert (6’2”, 285 lbs.) and Hunter Parsons (6’4”, 245 lbs.) earned Honorable Mention nominations. Sophomore LB Cole Taylor (6’3”, 230 lbs.) is second on the team with 66 tackles and was named as a 2^nd Team All-Big Sky linebacker. Sophomore DB Tayden Gray (6’0”, 185 lbs.) was also a 2^nd Team All-Big Sky defender and can make plays across the field from his nickel position. The Bobcats have only allowed 116.6 rushing yards per game and 3.8 rushing yards per carry, so getting Pitsenberger rolling in the running game will not be as simple as last week. MSU is also very stingy on 3^rd downs as they have only allowed opponents to convert on 31.4% of 3^rd down attempts. The Bobcats will be laser focused on shutting down Pitsenberger, so the Elis will need to establish a credible passing threat to keep the box from being stacked on every down. The offensive line faces their toughest task of the season and must find a way to provide Reno with some breathing room in the pocket even if it requires Pitsenberger to stay in the pocket to pass protect. The offensive coaching staff will once again need to dig deep into their bag of tricks with creative plays to keep defenders guessing. Teams such as Montana found some success attacking the edges with speed, so well-timed jet sweeps or quick hitting outside routes could be viable options.

Sophomore K Myles Sansted (6’3”, 188 lbs.) is 14 of 18 on field goal attempts with a long of 48 yards. Freshman P Colby Frokjer (6’3”, 185 lbs.) averages 43.6 yards per punt and has placed 13 punts inside the redzone. Taco Dowler could be the best punt returner in FCS and freshman WR Jabez Woods (5’11”, 178 lbs.) has the speed to burn kickoff coverage units for large gains.

Go Bulldogs! Beat the Bobcats!

The Yale Bulldogs defeated the Youngstown State Penguins in a 43-42 thriller at the Ice Castle in Youngstown, Ohio. Yale moves to 9-2 on the season and advances to the second round of the FCS Playoffs with a tough matchup at Montana State ahead.

The first half proved to be disastrous for Yale’s offense as two interceptions and a fumble derailed drives while the Penguins effortlessly sliced though Yale’s defense to secure a commanding lead. A poorly thrown ball to Pitsenberger was tipped and intercepted and another outside pass into tight coverage was intercepted. The fumble was particularly painful as the Bulldogs were inside the 10-yard line and driving to make it a 14-28 halftime score, but the Penguins scooped up the fumble and nearly returned it for a touchdown. A few plays later, the Penguins cruised in for another touchdown run to make it 7-35 at the half. With McGown and Lewis out of the lineup at tackle and guard respectively, freshman Tru Kendrick and senior Joseph Nash filled in along the offensive line. Charron was also injured at guard with junior Dylan Garrity stepping up to fill his vacated spot. The offensive line struggled in pass protection in the first half with Reno absorbing some of the hardest hits that he has experienced all season in the pocket. Coach Reno and staff did not throw in the towel at half and made key adjustments to keep the Bulldogs’ hopes of winning their first playoff game alive. The offensive line began wearing down the Penguins’ front as they opened wide holes for Pitsenberger. Santiago and Anderson were phenomenal with Brown out of the contest with an injury. Santiago hauled in 9 catches for 104 yards while Anderson looked like the second coming of Mason Tipton with 8 catches for 138 yards and a touchdown. Smith and Mermans both hauled in key touchdown receptions from their tight end positions and Smith also caught the 2-point conversion pass from Reno that proved to be the difference in the contest. The catalyst for the explosive second half was the success of the rushing attack as Pitsenberger ripped off 209 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns on the afternoon. Things became heated when Hickey injured Santiago on a reception over the middle which later led to a personal foul on Nash as he knocked Hickey to the turf after a play. The Bulldogs would have the last laugh on their former teammate as Pitsenberger torched Hickey for a 56-yard touchdown that gave Yale its first lead in the contest. Pitsenberger also selflessly kneeled at the 1-yard line on a potential touchdown run to burn the clock and eliminate any chance that the Penguins’ offense would see the field again in the waning minutes.

Yale had not faced a player as special as Beau Brungard in 2025 and Brungard made the Elis pay dearly in the first half. The Penguins’ offensive line manhandled the Bulldogs initially as they gave Brungard ample time in the pocket and opened gaping rushing lanes. Tackling and pursuit angles were simply atrocious in the first half as Youngstown State piled on five first half touchdowns. The defensive line could not generate a pass rush without Larry, linebackers couldn’t get off blocks or flow fast enough to ball carriers, and the secondary was picked apart. With the Bulldogs down 14-42 late in the third quarter and the season on the line, the defense bounced back to shut down Brungard for over a full quarter. Grant tied for the team lead with 8 tackles and applied pressure on Brungard to force a key incompletion. Ayo-Durojaiye also had 8 tackles and forced a fumble that proved to be a momentum-changing play. Kamara led with 3 pass breakups and recovered the fumble caused by Ayo-Durojaiye. Shaber notched a sack on a critical possession for the Penguins while Yang made key plays with 6 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. The secondary clamped down on YSU’s talented receiving corps in the fourth quarter with tight coverage and pass breakups. As we witnessed for much of the season, when the defense needed to get a stop, they delivered.

Conforti was perfect on all 5 of his PATs and did not attempt a field goal. Keeney only punted twice on the afternoon and averaged a whopping 53.0 yards per punt including a long punt of 63 yards. Tarver dominated on returns with one punt returned for 19 yards and 5 kickoff returns for 131 yards to give the Bulldogs excellent field position. Congratulations to all of the players and staff members for one of the most exciting comeback wins in Yale’s storied history. We’re on to Montana State!