Consistency Key for Lions

This season, the Columbia football team's ability to beat a .500 record rests on one thing: offensive production.

Last year, Columbia's offense looked solid against nonconference Fordham, Georgetown, and Iona, scoring over 20 points against each. But in its first five Ivy League games combined, the offense only managed a total of 23 points.

The unit finished the season playing well, scoring 21 points against Cornell and 22 against Brown with quarterback Craig Hormann throwing for 285. And though Brown and Cornell ranked sixth and seventh, respectively, in defense last year, Columbia's offense appeared to be turning a corner.

Despite those late season successes, the statistics don't lie. In 2006, Columbia finished last in the Ivy League in total offense, rushing, pass efficiency, first downs, third down conversions, and red zone offense. The team will be faced with an additional burden this year; Hormann, las year's starter, will be sidelined indefinitely after tearing his ACL in the offseason. A starter has yet to emerge from the pair of M.A. Olawale and Shane Kelly.

If the offense cannot step up this year against the better Ivy League teams, Columbia will never be able to break into the top half of the league. According to Hormann, his teammates are up to the challenge.

"We're coming off of two wins after last season, so there's a lot of momentum right now," Hormann said. "Guys are excited and looking forward to the new season."

A weak offensive line stifled any hope of Columbia's running game last year, as the Lions finished almost 400 yards behind the seventh-place rushing team, Dartmouth. The offensive line also put immense pressure on Hormann to find an open receiver quickly.

The weak run game also made the Lions' offensive strategy predictable. If Columbia can run the ball, it wil take pressure off receivers like sophomore Austin Knowlin, who will be covered tightly this season after a stellar debut last year.

Columbia head coach Norries Wilson understands the dilemma. "The offensive line's going to the key to whatever we do as a team, whatever we do as an offense," he said.

There is hope in the form of junior running back Jordan Davis, who impressed coaches during preseason camp, and in Knowlin, who came back from the summer in great shape.

Some younger players have also emerged throughout camp and might provide the needed fortification for the offensive line.

"I never had a situation where I didn't decide I was going to win," Wilson said. "Every time I put my hand down, I'm going to win. Our offensive line has got to have that same attitude. Period."

Sophomore running back Ray Rangel may see more minutes this season, and freshman receiver Nico Gutierrez and tailback Zach Kourouma will have chances to help the offense.

"His [Rangel's] pass protection has gotten better, and he's an inside and outside threat running the football," Wilson said. "Nico Gutierrez has done a real good job, and he's going to be in the rotation at wide-out. Zach Kourouma came in and he's going to be up with the varsity at tailback, so there's quite a few of them that are going to have the opportunity to contribute this season."