Despite Lack of Balanced Attack, Offense Makes Modest Gains

With the recent press surrounding the newly titled “Robert K. Kraft Field,” expectations for Columbia football have been high. Specifically on homecoming weekend, hopes for a win consumed every fan in attendance. Unfortunately, Penn’s relentless offensive line pushed Columbia to its third consecutive loss with an embarrassing 59-28 score.

With the team now sitting on a 1-4 record, 0-2 in the Ancient Eight, it is important to realize that while the record might not indicate it, the offense has made some strides in 2007.

Even in the face of defeat on Saturday, Columbia showed that there is talent on offense, especially in the form of senior quarterback and co-captain Craig Hormann. Completing 30 of 51 passes for a total of 417 yards, Hormann became the first Columbia quarterback since John Witkowski in 1984 to throw more than 400 yards in a game. Adding to Columbia’s individual success in Saturday’s game was sophomore Austin Knowlin, who hauled in 10 receptions for a total of 188 yards, adding to an already impressive résumé that consists of five receiving touchdowns. Aiding Columbia in an uphill offensive struggle were performances from junior Jordan Davis and sophomore Ray Rangel, who have racked up three touchdowns apiece in the last four games.

Despite solid production in the passing game and a strong red-zone rushing attack, the Lions have struggled to maintain a balanced attack. Columbia averages only 77.6 rushing yards per game, while their opponents have managed a staggering 259.6. When a running game is not effective, the offense becomes a one-dimensional passing attack. In the air, Columbia has managed to accumulate a total of 1294 yards, out-gaining their opponents by nearly 600 yards, although that margin is inflated in part because teams have rushed the ball so effectively against the Lion defense.

In the second and third games of the season, Columbia had a 100-yard rusher in Davis, the first two times he has achieved the feat in his career. Against more physical defenses in Penn and Lafayette, however, the Lions’ offensive line was outplayed, contributing to a lackluster ground attack. Against the Leopards, Columbia actually had negative rushing yards, while against the Quakers, the Lions put up only eight for the game.

In the end, however, the only statistic that matters is points. Columbia has managed to put up an average of 20.2 points per game, a significant increase over last year’s team that scored in the single digits in five Ivy contests. When facing lower-tier Ivy teams, the Lions should be able to hang around and have a shot to win some of those contests.

Columbia’s hopes for the rest of the season lie in their ability to establish themselves as a more balanced offense, with a specialty in passing under the continued leadership coming from Hormann. Stacking up two early losses in the Ivy League, the Lions look to keep their season alive with upcoming home games against Yale, Harvard, and Brown. They must aim for an early scoring advantage and a consistent passing game if they are to end the season at .500 or better for the second year in a row.