Light Blue Football Looks to Fill Void at Quarterback Left By Hormann

Last spring, the question was whether Craig Hormann’s knee would stand up come fall. As a result sophomores Shane Kelly and M.A. Olawale are poised to battle for Hormann’s starting quarterback spot this spring.
Both saw limited playing time last season as Hormann started every game. Lions head coach Norries Wilson put Kelly in during the Penn game where he completed the final two drives, going 1-3 for seven yards. Kelly also got the nod as second on the depth chart for the season ahead of Olawale. During the final three minutes of the third quarter and fourth quarter against Cornell, the sophomore transfer went 14-23 for 171 yards and his first touchdown pass as a Lion.
However, Olawale got more of a chance to show his abilities in the spring game last year, when he led the first team offense to a narrow win, 30-28, on a five-yard scramble. Olawale’s ability to run sets him apart from the rest of the quarterbacks, though as of last spring his arm needed work. The other two players who might see action as quarterbacks on Saturday are freshmen Cory Clare and Paul Havas.
The quarterbacks will have plenty of options downfield, as the Lions return a veteran receiving corps. Sophomore receiver Austin Knowlin led the league in receiving yards per game and earned a spot on the First Team All-Ivy League, while freshman Nico Gutierrez and sophomore Taylor Joseph return as well. The three contributed to Columbia’s averaging almost 260 yards per game through the air.
The Lions struggled all of last season to move the ball on the ground, which may change if a more mobile quarterback is in the pocket. Both running backs—junior Jordan Davis and sophomore Ray Rangel—return to the Lions squad. The two shared playing time last season, but may have competition from freshmen Leon Ivery and Zach Kourouma. Last season, Columbia averaged a measly 2.5 yards per carry—the worst average yards per carry in the league.
The offensive line struggled in the fall, and with senior Mike Partain graduating, sophomore Evan Sanford and freshman Ben Gaston will compete for the starting center spot. The Lions finished last in the league last season in rushing yards per game, averaging only 62.7 yards.
No matter what is seen during the game, don’t expect any secrets to be given away on Saturday. Wilson is notorious for keeping things close to the vest, especially when it comes to his depth chart. The Lions’ head coach didn’t release one last season until hours before the season opener, and that one had Kelly as starting quarterback.