Starting another thread. I'd like to see more run plays too but the o -line has to win the scrimmage line. A pick'em game IMO.
I have a feeling losing a close game they should have won against Brown may linger against Princeton, resulting in a big letdown. I hope I'm proven wrong and Cornell can make a game of it. If Wang ends up being the leading rusher again, there's not much of chance they can win games.
It's always easier for offensive linemen to run block than pass block. The Cornell offensive line are plenty big and strong to open up holes for our running backs. Run the ball like we did against Yale and Bucknell! Look at the NY Jets last night, they absolutely stunk in the first half, then they came out running the ball in the second half, and they surprised Houston. Wang is a proven Ivy QB, but we have to run the football to open up the passing game a little more. Run the ball, win time of possession, and we knock off the Tigers. Go Big Red!
Running sounds good, but you need a back who can get an extra yard or two when hit, not just go down.
Quote from: Local MotionIt's always easier for offensive linemen to run block than pass block.
Eh. I think it's more like they are different skillsets. The baseline of "be strong" to run block is probably easier to find than the speed/technique combination that is the key to pass blocking, but if you have a relatively small line, run blocking probably isn't going to be all that easy. In any event it hasn't
looked easy for us.
Quote from: Al DeFlorioRunning sounds good, but you need a back who can get an extra yard or two when hit, not just go down.
I think this is on point. Wang is currently Cornell's leading rusher with 304 yards. 5'7" 176 lbs Ean Pope is second with 283 yards. Cornell's big back Johntu Reed, 6'2" 230 lbs is mostly used in short yardage situations, is the 4th leading rusher with 74 yards. It'll take some creativity to get the running game going like they did in the Yale game. Teams have likely figured out on film why they were so effective in that game and have been able to shut the running game down for the most part.
Great opening drive. They were already across midfield by the time I tuned in. After that, Wang kept picking apart soft coverage on the right sideline to get inside the 10. After a short run from Pope, the CB followed Musungu into the end zone, Wang took off for the pylon and Musungu threw a block that guaranteed the path. Cornell opens with a crisp drive to go up 7-0.
Followed by a great opening stand: on 4th and 1, Princeton throws a WR screen but Cornell D knows you can't commit DPI in the backfield and they hit the receiver before the ball gets there.
Offense takes over at the 35 and on the first play, Wang rifles one on a dime to Musungu at the 5. Another short run from Pope followed by play action, easy peasy toss to a wide open Kurtz for the TD.
Princeton committed a penalty I've never heard of on the XP: delay of game for distracting clapping (imitating the snap signal is illegal, I guess; now I know) but Cornell didn't switch to a 2-point coversion. 14-0 Cornell, about halfway through Q1.
Another big defensive stand. After a busted coverage led to a Tigers first down across midfield, Cornell got another big 4th down stop. A massive sack on 4th and 3 gives Wang the ball back just shy of the 50.
Robert Tucker III* takes over for Pope at FB and is more effective. Seems to take the handoff more cleanly so he's hitting the hole faster. Wang to Musungu unstoppable today. From the 11, Wang drops back, rolls out, Kurtz adjusts to the scramble, runs to the pylon, hits the brakes and turns around. Wang finds him for another TD. Under review on whether Kurtz held on... call stands! 21-0 with 13 seconds left in Q1.
* ESPN Gamecast has this wrong because we also have a safety with Tucker's number.
Another great defensive stand. After Princeton muffed the kickoff and started at the 10, Cornell broke up a screen pass, forced an incomplete pass on a blitz,* then another incomplete pass to end the quarter when Princeton took a deep shot into perfect bracket coverage.
* Incomplete is generous. Could have been called intentional grounding in the end zone, though there was plausibly a receiver in the area. Also probably went backwards in the air (wind? because he was being spun around? idk.) and should have been called a fumble through the end zone. Two different ways it should have been a safety but we didn't get the call, even after review. So it goes.
So far so good!
Wishbone offense!
Kickoff to the 50. Quick hit to Kurtz for 5. Pope back in and runs for 15. Musungu again, dodges a tackle and gains 12. Option toss to Pope for 3. Slot wide open to the left but Wang chooses a toss to Pope for no gain. Pass to Woodring for 10; first down at the 7. Wang avoids the blitz... and barely throws it away (could plausibly have been grounding). Wang pass to Kurtz for 5 to the 2. Heavy package in the backfield, handoff to Tillman for the score. 28-0!
We need to play all 60. We had a lead against the Brown Bears and lost it.
The defensive line is playing a good game so far!
Another great defensive stand (including a questionable no-call on DPI and a big sack) until... on 3d and 20, Princeton QB scramble out of bounds for a gain of 10 but creamed out of bounds for a personal foul and Princeton's drive continues. Another personal foul, this time for taunting, I think. TD Princeton... no? I'm pretty sure that should be a TD; Cornell DB swiped the ball out of his hands after the catch. Doesn't matter; on the next play Princeton's QB drops back to pass, the middle opens up like the Red Sea (sorry) and he scrambles in on the next play. 28-7.
Two "brain dead" penalties helped get Princeton the touchdown. Talk about letting your team down-jeesh
Oh my god if you want to blow the lead, this is a good way to start. Cornell takes the kickoff in the end zone, doesn't fair catch, steps out at the 1/2 yard line. Bailed out for the time being by an offsides call, so it's 1st and 5 from the 5 lol.
Gets one first down but not 2. First punt. Delay of game on the punt pushes the ball back to the 13 come onnnnnn.
Not a lot to complain about with the offense but imo Cornell should think more about attacking the soft coverage in the slot until Princeton adjusts. They keep running upfield without taking advantage of the space.
ANOTHER stupid personal foul, hitting a guy out of bounds on the punt return so Cornell takes over at Cornell's 25.
Free play when Cornell jumps, DPI on the 1 (bad call imo) moves the ball up to the 10. Slant complete to the 3. Inside handoff, hit hard but the RB falls forward for the score. 28-14, 3:17 left in the half. Lack of discipline killing the Red in the second quarter.
Quick and efficient start to the Cornell drive squandered. Passing first down to Doryn Smith, followed by a WR pass (Smith to Tucker for 30. Then Wang throws a sideline pass to Kurtz with a little too much air under it and the DB undercuts the throw for a pick. Kurtz makes the tackle immediately but Princeton gets the ball back with ~2:30 to go.
Fortunately, on second down, Princeton QB keeps it on play action, gets sacked, fumbles and Cornell gets the ball back at the Princeton 37. Screen to Pope for 4 before the 2 minute warning. Would be great to see one more score before the half.
Another good run from Pope first down at the 25. Option keeper for 3. Pass to Woodring for 4. Pass to Musungu for 4; first down at the 13. Pass, tipped... CAUGHT by Musungu for the TD! Under review but I don't think this is in doubt. Incredible eyes and footwork by Musungu to grab the ball and keep his feet in bounds. 35-14 with 27 seconds left in the half.
That's how the half ends. Just heard that this is Princeton's homecoming. Love it. Keep it up, Red.
Princeton picks up a couple of first downs. Big stop on a screen for a loss of two... short pass over the middle stopped for a short gain but what I think is a really cheap targeting call is under review (there was a more legit call in the first half against us). Flag picked up. Whew. QB forced to scramble gets away... play takes too long and defensive holding in the secondary costs Cornell. Pass rush was good; nearly got the sack. First down Princeton. Short run on first... Cornell gets its third sack of the day on second...Good coverage, incomplete on third. Big decision from midfield for the Tigers. Punting. Great coverage by Princeton and the ball is tipped at ~2 yard line and rolls out of bounds.
Fake handoff and Wang evades the rush for a gain of 10. Tough 4 yard run by Pope; Wang scrambles from the rush and throws it away; pass to Musungu on the sidelines... and he's off to the races, DB catches up to him at around the 10 but Musungu stays on his feet to the 2. 82 yard gain! And the guy who made the tackle must have landed funny because he's limping off the field.
Blocking is clean and Pope goes in untouched. 42-14. Offense looks so good against this Princeton defense.
Everyone maintains their gaps on 3d and 3 and forces 4th down and another big 4th down stop by the defense. Cornell takes over on the 35. With 8:10 left to go in the third quarter and a 28 point lead? I think we're going to start running clock lol
Pope for 4
Tucker for 10
Tucker for 5
Sigh short pass to Woodring, but complete so basically a run for 1
Wang designed run straight up the middle for 5 to the 8
Perfect, and I mean PERFECT blocking for Tucker for the score. 49-14.
Run up the score, boys. They didn't feel bad about winning 66-0.
Only sort of half paying attention now. Princeton gets a few first downs up near midfield. Another sack makes it 2d and 19. Bad pass, short completion for gain of 5. Another WR screen but Cornell stuffs it 4th and 7. End of Q3. Princeton right around midfield. We'll see if they risk giving Cornell another short field when they're already down by 35.
Princeton goes for it; coverage was good but QB finds a hole to run the first. Long pass for another first down to the 15 and the receiver stunts as if it's not a blowout. Followed by a sack; QB fumbles but grabs it quickly. Short run on 2d. Pass over the middle caught at the 1, slips a tackle and in for the TD. 49-21 with ~12:30 remaining.
Great run by Tillman for 8 for a first down to chew clock. Another from Tillman for 6. Tillman again for 10. Delay of game. ugh. Clock under 10. Tillman again for 7 across midfield. Tillman again but no blocking; back to the wrong side of midfield lol. New RB (Reed) gets it across the 50 but Cornell will punt on 4th and 10. Another delay of game but maybe intentional. Punt blocked and Princeton will take over at around the 30.
Princeton not giving up. Princeton WR screen finally gets good blocking and results in a 20 yard TD. 49-28. ~6 minutes left. Today, the clock is our friend.
Watching Cornell get good blocking up front and yards on the run gives me much joy.
Princeton goes for an onside kick but Cornell falls on the ball at midfield. 4 yards and a cloud of dust offense. 4, 5, 3. Try an outside run for a loss of 3. Back to the run for 2. Cornell goes for it from the 40 rather than punt. Gets stopped after a short gain but the clock is down to 2:30. Whoops down and distance chyron was wrong and I lost track; that was 3d down. They line up to go for it but Wang quick-kick punts and downs it inside the 5.
Quote from: mike1960Watching Cornell get good blocking up front and yards on the run gives me much joy.
SO much joy. Other than the discipline issues, this game has been a lot of fun to watch. And the run defense has been amazing; 31 carries for 87 yards. Cornell is at 37/187.
Quote from: ugarteQuote from: mike1960Watching Cornell get good blocking up front and yards on the run gives me much joy.
SO much joy. Other than the discipline issues, this game has been a lot of fun to watch. And the run defense has been amazing; 31 carries for 87 yards. Cornell is at 37/187.
Cornell pulled the tackle and guard to get some lead blocking on the edge. That's one way to get a push!
Princeton gets a first down and it's the 2 minute warning. Another first down on a pass across the middle but the clock keeps moving. And again. Prevent defense. Princeton is up to the 44. Another Cornell sack; QB nearly got away but it's a loss of 1. Complete and out of bounds for another first down. 1:14 remaining. Good coverage; incomplete. Complete over the middle for 5 clock is under a minute and running. Scramble, dump off for a first but the receiver falls down tick tick tick. Scramble, nobody open throws it away incomplete 0:24. Only suspense is how cool the final score looks. Caught for another first down, OOB inside the 15. Pass to an uncovered receiver in the back of the end zone boo. 49-35. Props to the kickers for going 12 for 12 on XPs today.
Musungu in on the hands team grabs the onside kick attempt. Kneeldown coming. Victory formation at Princeton's homecoming. Backup QB Dylan Hale takes the snap. Love it.
49-35 final. Totally dominant when it mattered.
Safe to say we hired the right coach. Another feather in Nikki Moore's getting-crowded-with-feathers cap.
Quote from: CU2007Safe to say we hired the right coach. Another feather in Nikki Moore's getting-crowded-with-feathers cap.
Always an insult to be scheduled for someone's homecoming. Primary color! Secondary color!
Quote from: arugulaQuote from: CU2007Safe to say we hired the right coach. Another feather in Nikki Moore's getting-crowded-with-feathers cap.
Always an insult to be scheduled for someone's homecoming. Primary color! Secondary color!
Fascinating to watch Cornell and Columbia's rise. Two d3 coaches come on and immediately improve. Columbia had the advantage of the Bagnoli culture improvement. Swanstfon truly from scratch.
Quote from: CU2007Safe to say we hired the right coach. Another feather in Nikki Moore's getting-crowded-with-feathers cap.
+1
Women can run big things well. Just a thought.
Quote from: mike1960Quote from: CU2007Safe to say we hired the right coach. Another feather in Nikki Moore's getting-crowded-with-feathers cap.
+1
Women can run big things well. Just a thought.
Correct
I am a "Walter Mitty" offensive coordinator. Star QB Wang had another impressive game, but we rushed for nearly 200 yards today and the Big Red led the entire afternoon. Granted Princeton is probably a little down this year, but great to see Cornell finally win one against the Tigers. Go Big Red!
Quote from: mike1960Quote from: CU2007Safe to say we hired the right coach. Another feather in Nikki Moore's getting-crowded-with-feathers cap.
+1
Women can run big things well. Just a thought.
And anyone who thinks differently about that at this point has been asleep for the last forty years or so. To my mind, endlessly celebrating the sex of the people who are now running things is a particularly weird extension of the dying former paradigm.
I am enormously impressed with her. Best athletic director since that guy with the same name.
The new CEO of Athletics!
Did you see Swanstrom get into the kick returner on the sidelines?
I was yelling at my phone "WTF, WTF?!!!, You're an Ivy League student. How can you not know the fair catch rules?!!!"
Cornell WR Samuel Musungu Ivy Offensive player of the Week.
https://cornellbigred.com/news/2024/11/4/football-musungu-named-ivy-league-offensive-player-of-the-week.aspx
Quote from: Ken711Cornell WR Samuel Musungu Ivy Offensive player of the Week.
https://cornellbigred.com/news/2024/11/4/football-musungu-named-ivy-league-offensive-player-of-the-week.aspx
Well deserved. He's a terrific player.
Quote from: scoop85Quote from: Ken711Cornell WR Samuel Musungu Ivy Offensive player of the Week.
https://cornellbigred.com/news/2024/11/4/football-musungu-named-ivy-league-offensive-player-of-the-week.aspx
Well deserved. He's a terrific player.
And as only a sophomore, we get two more years to watch him.
Quote from: Ken711Quote from: scoop85Quote from: Ken711Cornell WR Samuel Musungu Ivy Offensive player of the Week.
https://cornellbigred.com/news/2024/11/4/football-musungu-named-ivy-league-offensive-player-of-the-week.aspx
Well deserved. He's a terrific player.
And as only a sophomore, we get two more years to watch him.
HOPEFULLY that's the case in this new world of NIL
And, I hope Cornell finds a successor to Wang who can toss him the football.
Quote from: Al DeFlorioAnd, I hope Cornell finds a successor to Wang who can toss him the football.
I agree, hopefully Coach Swanstrom can work his offensive magic and develop a Wang replacement at QB. Cornell is going to be deep at WR going forward in future years.
Dan Swanstrom is a QB guy and I have no doubt he's probably already developing someone after Wang graduates. Regardless let's enjoy this season's team. Big game this Saturday at Schoellkopf vs. Penn. Again run the ball, run it again and again, will free up things for our QB and receivers. Obviously Penn is favored but you never know. Go Big Red!