Cornell football 2023

[tycho]

I'd have to go back and look, but it seems like very nearly all of the TDs against Cornell over the past couple of weeks have been >50 yarders. Hard to watch.

This goes way back to Archer's decision to hire Jared Bakus as his DC.  Bakus was the Princeton DC before Cornell hired him, and Princeton was planning to fire him after Princeton went 1-9, 1-9 and 5-5 in his 3 seasons there. This explains why Princeton would let him go in a lateral hiring to another Ivy school.

Well, at least defensive fatigue isn't a factor. Hard for it to be when they're on the field for two snaps before the opponent rips off a big scoring play. Just look at the ToP. Big Red had the ball for 38 minutes today to Penn's 22. That tells the story.

That Cornell actually managed to outgain Penn 431 to 365 tells one all they'd need to know regarding Cornell's ability to complete possessions.

[Jeff Hopkins '82]

I caught the last 5 minutes of the game on TV.  The Penn announcers actually had some good things to say about Cornell.  Although they were actually more focused on the fact that the Penn running back actually had a chance to beat the school record for yards by a RB, unlikely as that would be if Penn got the ball back (since they'd take a knee rather than run the ball).

[Local Motion]

Penn dominated Cornell with their running game.   I think their freshman RB had something like 260 rushing?   I am not sure if I read that yet.   Meanwhile when is the last time Cornell football has had an RB rush for over 100 yards?   The Big Red was once the tailback U in the Ivy League with Marinaro, Holland, Harmen, Malaga, Oliaro, Levitt, and Siwula.

[tycho]

Penn dominated Cornell with their running game.   I think their freshman RB had something like 260 rushing?   I am not sure if I read that yet.

That is correct. Of course, 164 of those yards came on a combined two scoring plays, of 68 and 96 yards, respectively.

[ugarte]

I caught the last 5 minutes of the game on TV.  The Penn announcers actually had some good things to say about Cornell.

I didn't see the first half, so by the time I started watching it was already 16-0, so I can't speak to how we got there and given that score, it may well be that Penn slacked off a bit which made our team look better than it would have if Penn kept up full effort.

That said, the team played pretty well from what I saw and when they failed it was failures of execution, not gameplanning. I saw the 16-0 score at the half but got distracted by life. When I turned on the game on, it was after we'd scored a TD+2 and while the refs were figuring out where to spot the ball after Penn blocked a field goal attempt that would have cut the deficit to 5.

The play that put the game out of reach was kind of a fluke. Penn took over at the 4, and the first play called for a run up the middle, but the Cornell DL didn't leave any hole at all. Unfortunately, the RB bounced left and there was no contain because everyone committed to the stuff. The cut was nice, he cut back again on a LB and was gone. He almost got caught from behind at around the 10 but heard the footsteps and cut again to shake the trailer. Tip your cap, it was a pretty run for 96.

Cornell responded by driving all the way to the 2 and the failure from there isn't on Archer. The line didn't hold up on the play action and the receiver dropped a throw in the end zone; the RB got stuffed, the sweep got strung out all the way to the boundary, Wang got stuffed. The defense held, Cornell got the ball near midfield and after a first down, Wang through a tunnel-vision pick. The defense held again. Cornell drove inside the 10 again, and Wang threw three incomplete passes.

I think the team is closer than a lot of people want to admit. Probably still not anything that will win the conference or make us collectively happy but not so obviously bad that I think his job is in jeopardy. His standing with the department is probably not terrible because he's an alum, he appears committed to wanting to make a life in Ithaca rather than treating Cornell as a stepping stone, and he does just well enough that it kind of seems like we're on the verge sometimes.

As frustrated as I know we all are, I'm less ready to get the torches than it seems like all of you and have actually kind of reconciled myself to him having forever to figure it out.

[Ken711]

I caught the last 5 minutes of the game on TV.  The Penn announcers actually had some good things to say about Cornell.

I didn't see the first half, so by the time I started watching it was already 16-0, so I can't speak to how we got there and given that score, it may well be that Penn slacked off a bit which made our team look better than it would have if Penn kept up full effort.

That said, the team played pretty well from what I saw and when they failed it was failures of execution, not gameplanning. I saw the 16-0 score at the half but got distracted by life. When I turned on the game on, it was after we'd scored a TD+2 and while the refs were figuring out where to spot the ball after Penn blocked a field goal attempt that would have cut the deficit to 5.

The play that put the game out of reach was kind of a fluke. Penn took over at the 4, and the first play called for a run up the middle, but the Cornell DL didn't leave any hole at all. Unfortunately, the RB bounced left and there was no contain because everyone committed to the stuff. The cut was nice, he cut back again on a LB and was gone. He almost got caught from behind at around the 10 but heard the footsteps and cut again to shake the trailer. Tip your cap, it was a pretty run for 96.

Cornell responded by driving all the way to the 2 and the failure from there isn't on Archer. The line didn't hold up on the play action and the receiver dropped a throw in the end zone; the RB got stuffed, the sweep got strung out all the way to the boundary, Wang got stuffed. The defense held, Cornell got the ball near midfield and after a first down, Wang through a tunnel-vision pick. The defense held again. Cornell drove inside the 10 again, and Wang threw three incomplete passes.

I think the team is closer than a lot of people want to admit. Probably still not anything that will win the conference or make us collectively happy but not so obviously bad that I think his job is in jeopardy. His standing with the department is probably not terrible because he's an alum, he appears committed to wanting to make a life in Ithaca rather than treating Cornell as a stepping stone, and he does just well enough that it kind of seems like we're on the verge sometimes.

As frustrated as I know we all are, I'm less ready to get the torches than it seems like all of you and have actually kind of reconciled myself to him having forever to figure it out.

If you haven't figured it out in 10 years, you're never going to figure it out I'm afraid. Can we at least expect one winning season in those 10 years of trying to figure it out? Not even having one of those ten seasons where you win more Ivy League games than you lose, forget about ever seriously challenging for the Ivy Championship? Sorry, his time should be up.

[ugarte]

If you haven't figured it out in 10 years, you're never going to figure it out I'm afraid. Can we at least expect one winning season in those 10 years of trying to figure it out? Not even having one of those ten seasons where you win more Ivy League games than you lose, forget about ever seriously challenging for the Ivy Championship? Sorry, his time should be up.

I'm not arguing with you! I don't think your position is wrong, much less unreasonable. I'm telling you where my head is at and why i don't waste my energy complaining. I'm not naive, i simply prefer to talk about the micro - the fun and tragic aspects of each game - rather than dwelling on the macro.

[rss77]

I think what has nagged Cornell over the years outside of the Musick and Baughn regimes is that CU can get talent to be competitive but not quite enough get to the top.

[Ken711]

I think what has nagged Cornell over the years outside of the Musick and Baughn regimes is that CU can get talent to be competitive but not quite enough get to the top.

Jim Hofher had a nice run as HC with success as well.

[Local Motion]

It's really too bad Jim Hofher left Cornell in 1998 because I think he could have enjoyed a long term successful coaching career at Cornell.  I think Hofher was probably frustrated with the lack of support from admissions and financial aid at Cornell.  I always liked the way Hofher coached the offense with a nice blend of running and passing the ball.  HIe always had a strong running game at Cornell.  

It's a tough time at Cornell right now as it's no  secret Martha Pollack could care less about Big Red athletics or anything not related to computer science.   Is it any  wonder why Cornell today has a huge problem with student depression and anxiety on campus?   In my opinion Martha Pollack has cast a dark cloud over Cornell ever since she has arrived in Ithaca.   I think she is a terrible leader of the Cornell staff and students.  Just ask many members of the Cornell staff and our students basically never even see her.  At graduation last May my niece said it was the first time she had seen Martha Pollack since orientation her freshman year.

[Ken711]

It's really too bad Jim Hofher left Cornell in 1998 because I think he could have enjoyed a long term successful coaching career at Cornell.  I think Hofher was probably frustrated with the lack of support from admissions and financial aid at Cornell.  I always liked the way Hofher coached the offense with a nice blend of running and passing the ball.  HIe always had a strong running game at Cornell.  

It's a tough time at Cornell right now as it's no  secret Martha Pollack could care less about Big Red athletics or anything not related to computer science.   Is it any  wonder why Cornell today has a huge problem with student depression and anxiety on campus?   In my opinion Martha Pollack has cast a dark cloud over Cornell ever since she has arrived in Ithaca.   I think she is a terrible leader of the Cornell staff and students.  Just ask many members of the Cornell staff and our students basically never even see her.  At graduation last May my niece said it was the first time she had seen Martha Pollack since orientation her freshman year.

Andy Noel has a lot to do with any dark shadow over the football program.

[CAS]

During Pollack's presidency, applications for admission & yield have reached new highs, & admit rates record lows. The last two years were the best fundraising years in Cornell's history.  And Cornell is planning to build the new indoor athletics facility.

[upprdeck]

I think on the football side all the school cares about is donations not results.. Donations are up.  If they thought having a better fball program would bring in more money then they would spend the time and effort.

[CAS]

I've long believed it costs a lot to win,
but even more to lose.  Cornell needs to invest much more in football (coaching salaries, facilities, etc.).  I think the investment would generate a return.

[Local Motion]

When is the last time you have been back to Cornell to speak with either students or staff?   I think Martha Pollack is a very good administrator just not a good college president or leader.  It's not just the football program right now as Martha Pollack has been a very divisive leader on campus.  It's obvious among many of our students and staff they do not like Martha Pollack as she is not visible and does not show empathy.   Cornell has had some great presidents, I just think Martha Pollack has been a very poor fit on the East Hill.   I think our students deserve a president who brings more positive energy to the East Hill.