Not much to report from practice. Quarterback Patrick Witt took pretty much all the snaps when I was there except when Dez Duron ran scout team stuff. I didn't see Brook Hart take a snap in the hour or so I was at practice. H-back John Sheffield and receiver Reid Lathan caught everything thrown their way.

Adam Money was out there practicing without limitation while freshman cornerback Kurt Stottlemyer saw plenty of time with the first team.

It was not a great day for the kickers. Tom Mante and Alex Barnes had field goals blocked on consecutive tries and Mante followed up with a horrible shank on his next effort. They both settled down and made some kicks after that. Barnes will continue to handle the extra points and medium range field goals while Mante will punt, kick off and be called upon for long-range field goals.

A few things from the weekly Tuesday press conference at the Yale Bookstore.

First, Yale coach Tom Williams said junior cornerback Adam Money had a stinger late in Saturday's game against Brown but he has been cleared to practice and did just that on Tuesday morning.

There's no change in the injury status of receiver Chris Smith and safety Larry Abare. Williams said there is a chance Smith can play against Harvard while Abare has been trying to persuade the Yale medical staff to slap a cast on his broken right forearm so he can get back on the field. If Abare does manage to get back on the field for the Nov. 21 game against Harvard, I wouldn't want to be one of Harvard's receivers, running backs or the quarterback because Abare will have some lost time to make up for and will be chomping at the bit to hit somebody.

There will be no switch in kickers. Alex Barnes will continue to handle extra points and kicks while Tom Mante will punt, kick off and be called on for the long-distance field goals.

Williams was accompanied by junior receiver Peter Balsam. I spoke to Balsam and Williams about the amount of injuries the receiving corps has had to endure this season and that will be the Yale football story in Wednesday's edition of the Register.

Among the other topics I addressed with Balsam was his reaction to seeing Brown score late in the first half, aided by Balsam's 15-yard penalty on the kickoff after Money's 77-yard interception return. Rather than needing to drive the ball 72 yards, Brown only needed to go 57 yards. When Bears' quarterback Kyle Newhall-Caballero capped the drive with a 9-yard TD run, Balsam walked in the general vicinity of Williams who voiced his displeasure. Balsam expressed remorse at the role his penalty for retaliating had in aiding Brown's second touchdown.

"I felt terrible," Balsam said. "It is totally unacceptable, it was a totally selfish play and it can’t happen again. It would be one thing if it was the first time it happened but I got one against Lehigh as well. After an interception, I made a tackle and I got up and pushed the guy. In that case I don’t know what to do, I guess get up and clap in the guy’s face who is yelling at you because pushing is unacceptable. It doesn’t get caught all the time but usually it is the second person who does it that gets caught. You just have to keep your head on straight and realize that you are not playing for yourself, you are playing for your 100 and however many teammates. Those guys work just as hard as you and you can’t make that kind of a selfish play that will jeopardize that hard work."

What a difference a year makes. In last year's Yale/Brown game defense ruled the day.

That was definitely not the story line on Saturday. Brown ripped through the Yale defense for nearly 500 yards of offense including 225 yards rushing.

Yale managed 345 yards of offense but three Patrick Witt interceptions proved costly as the Bulldogs were officially eliminated from contention for the Ivy League title.

The first half came to an end with Tom Mante's line drive 51-yard field goal attempt sailing wide left allowing Brown to take a 14-12 lead into the break.

Yale's defense has done its job holding the explosive Brown offense in check. Kyle Newhall-Caballero threw a 10-yard scoring pass to Buddy Farnham and had a 5-yard scoring run.

Yale answered as Mordecai Cargill took a Patrick Witt screen pass and rumbled 41 yards for his first collegiate touchdown. Adam Money returned an interception 77 yards for the other score.

Special teams, outside of Mante's 57-yard punt, have not been special. Alex Barnes missed an extra point after the first score and Brook Hart was unable to haul in a 2-point conversion from fellow quarterback Witt.

Peter Balsam was called for a 15-yard personal foul penalty on the kickoff after Money's touchdown to allow Brown to start the drive at the 43 rather than the 28. When Newhall-Caballero scored, Balsam made the mistake of walking in the direction of Yale coach Tom Williams. Williams gave Balsam a serious dressing down about the penalty which likely prevented Yale from heading into halftime with a lead.

It is still early in the recruiting process but Yale is off to a solid start with six committed players who have been accepted into the school.

Here's a look at the first six recruits for the Yale football Class of 2014.

Kyle Aberton, DB 5-10 175 Cottonwood High School, Murray, Utah: Had 72 tackles and five interceptions as a junior

Chris Brady, DB 6-0, 190 Don Bosco Prep, Ramsey, N.J.: One of top defensive players for No. 2 ranked in USA Today national poll, he had key interception against rival Bergen Catholic

John Oppenheimer, OL/DL 6-0 250 Sacred Heart Prep, Atherton, Calif.: Two-way starting lineman helped squad average more than 350 rushing yards per game

Grant Stanley, DE 6-foot-5, 230 pounds San Joaquin Memorial, Fresno, Calif. Averaging about five tackles a game for 7-1 team

John Whitelaw, QB 6-2, 180 Hinsdale (Ill.) Central: Accounted for more than 3,000 yards of total offense and 35 touchdowns as a senior

Kyle Wittenauer, TE/DL 6-4, 240, St. Christopher’s, Richmond, Va.: Averaging more than 25 yards per reception and drew plenty of interest from BCS schools as a long snapper.

There are a few things I wanted to pass on regarding tomorrow's game.

First, the 1 p.m. game will be available via live video stream on www.yalebulldogs.com. The word is that Yale received plenty of positive feedback over its live streaming of the Dartmouth game.

Yale will have its pre-game walk from the Walter Camp Arch around 11:20 a.m. where fans can line up and greet the team as it makes the walk to the Yale Bowl.

Anybody wishing to take part in the Yale/Harvard festivities on Nov. 21 needs to purchase a parking pass or check up on the shuttles taking fans to and from the game since there will be no general admission parking. If you don't have a parking pass, you won't able to park.

Finally, while the dedication of the Kenney Center and Jensen Plaza won't take place until Nov. 21, they are both up and running and will be on display this weekend.

Here's the release I received from Yale about the project


Final Phase of Yale Bowl Restoration Complete

NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- A revered, 95-year-old American sports venue has received a grand entrance fitting its national historic landmark status. The Kenney Center and Jensen Plaza are finished and officially open this Saturday for the Yale-Brown football game at Yale Bowl and the Class of ’54 Field. These two additions, to be officially dedicated the morning of the Nov. 21 Yale-Harvard game, constitute the final phase of the $30 million restoration of the facility.

Walking in from a tailgate Saturday, fans will catch a glimpse of the grand, three-story Kenney Center as they leave a parking lot. The Kenney Center replaced the old halftime room and rises up and attaches to the press box. As they get closer to the perimeter of the Bowl at the main entrance, fans step onto the granite stones that contain the names of every Yale football letter winner since 1872 as part of the Jensen Plaza.

“One of the most storied programs in the history of college football has added to its lore with the addition of the Kenney Center and the Jensen Plaza,” said Tom Williams, the Joel E. Smilow ’54 Head Coach of Yale Football. “We look forward to adding to the history displayed at both venues.”

Athletic Director Tom Beckett added, “This facility and plaza is another example of the strong partnership between the University and our alumni that continues to provide a world-class experience for all affiliated with Yale Athletics.”

The Kenney Center contains three team meeting rooms, an alumni area with views to the field and a rooftop terrace that provides a panoramic look at most of the Yale athletic facilities around the Bowl. Jerome (Jerry) P. Kenney ’63, who provided the gift, is part of the only family to have five members play football at Yale and the only four-brother football combination in school history. Jerry’s brothers, Brian R. ’60, Robert D. ’67 and Richard L. ’71 all wore blue and white, while Robert’s son, Jeffrey S. ’93 also played for the Elis.

Fourteen different historical listings are displayed in the Kenney Center under the following headings:

·
Heisman Memorial Trophy Winners

·
National Football Foundation-College Hall of Fame Inductees

·
All-Americans

·
Rhodes Scholars

·
NCAA Silver Anniversary Award Winners

·
National Football Foundation Hall of Fame Scholar-Athletes

·
National Academic All-Americans

·
First-Team All-Ivy Selections

·
Asa A. Bushnell Cup Winners (Ivy League MVP)

·
George "Bulger" Lowe Award Winners (Outstanding Player in New England)

·
Ivy League Rookie of the Year Selections

·
Yale Football Captains

·
National Championship Teams

·
Ivy League Championship Teams



"We were encouraged both by the University's decision to restore and modernize the Yale Bowl, which has been such an integral part of Yale's tradition, and also by the widespread support this initiative is receiving from other former players and alumni," said Jerry Kenney. "My three brothers and I collectively played football for 14 consecutive years for Yale and we've had a next generation player as well, so it has been an important part of our family's Yale experience. Since Yale has contributed so much to our lives and careers, we're pleased to be able to fund this center as part of the restoration project."

The Jensen Plaza, named after Irving ’54, Colin ’57, Eric ’63 and Mark Jensen’67, serves as a perfect place for fans to gather before and after games. Two of the Jensen brothers played for former Yale football head coach Jordan Olivar and earned Ivy League Championship rings. Colin, who had two letters, was part of the 1956 Bulldog squad that went 8-1, was undefeated in Ancient Eight play and cruised past Princeton and Harvard on the way to a title. Eric earned three football letters and was a member of Yale’s last perfect (9-0) team in 1960.

“We want to share memories with future Yale athletes and thought this would be a great way,” said Irving, who played on the Bulldog freshman squad. “We had a great experience and education at Yale, which has made my life what it is today. Much of what we learned as athletes at the school has been used in our business. It is very important to make the experience a great one for current and future Yale athletes.”

The show stopper at Thursday's practice had to be freshman cornerback Kurt Stottlemyer.

During the scrimmaging portion of the practice, Stottlemyer intercepted two passes and saw plenty of time with the first team. When facing pass-happy Brown as Yale will on Saturday at the Yale Bowl, reserve cornerbacks find themselves in the mix a more regular basis as the Bulldogs can match up with the prolific Brown receivers.

Yale coach Tom Williams heaped significant praise on the Bothell, Washington native saying he was one of the freshmen who arrived ready both physically and mentally for varsity duty. The two reasons why Stottlemyer hasn't seen more action are Adam Money and Drew Baldwin, Yale's two starting corners. It should be noted that it was around this time last season when Baldwin began to see more work with the varsity.

"We haven't needed him to play until now," Williams said. "We had Money and Drew obviously but as far as his ability and his awareness as a freshman, there is no question in my mind that he could have been playing all year for us if we needed him to. Now he is going to get his chance and I'll tell you what, he is a good football player. He is one of those guys who has a natural feel for the game, just a knack for playing so I am excited to see what he does on Saturday"

Yale's secondary will be aided by the return of John Pagliaro, a reserve safety who missed last week's game against Columbia with a concussion.

Other than the continued absences of safety Larry Abare and receiver Chris Smith, the Bulldogs appear to be in good shape health wise.

It's just a hunch on my part but I have a feeling Reid Lathan is going to make a play on Saturday. Lathan was Yale's third-leading receiver last year but a shoulder injury set him back during the fall camp. He has yet to record a catch this season. Lathan made a spectacular catch over Stottlemyer on a deep ball and had a strong practice on Thursday. Lathan is also responsible for one of the most memorable moments of the practices I have been at. The offense was lined up when offensive coordinator Brian Stark said "Reid, you should be over there." Lathan obeyed his coach but said innocently "didn't you call ..." The exact name of the play and formation escapes me but Lathan was absolutely right. He was lined up in the right spot. Stark apologized and had a chuckle and you could hear Yale coach Tom Williams cracking up in the background as well.

Just a recap of the weekly press conference at the Yale Bookstore.

Junior cornerback Adam Money was the player who joined Yale coach Tom Williams at the event and he admitted he was pretty surprised to be named the Ivy League's Defensive Player of the Week. When I was speaking with Money after the question and answer session, former Yale coach Carm Cozza came up and whispered that his tracking down Columbia Leon Ivery at the 2 yard line was one of the best hustle plays he has seen in his time at Yale.

Considering the impressive Hall of Fame credentials of Cozza, Money may never receive a greater compliment.

A few updates on the starting lineup. Williams said Patrick Witt will start at quarterback, the starting offensive line of Alex Golubiewski, Nathan Burow, Jake Koury, Gabe Fernandez and Cory Palmer will start for the second straight week and Alex Barnes will continue to handle field goals and extra points.

A clarification from my pre-game blog, there was a freshman receiver wearing No. 21 but it was not Chris Smith but Collin Bibb.

He also said that Smith and safety Larry Abare, out with knee and arm injuries respectively, will not play. Jordan Farrell, who started the first four games at tailback, is close to returning after being worn down by a case of the swine flu and then bronchitis.

Yale junior cornerback Adam Money was named the Ivy League's defensive player of the week. While other players in the league had gaudier stats than Money, his tackle of Columbia's Leon Ivery at the 2 yard line saved the game for the Bulldogs. He then caused and recovery a fumble to give Yale a chance to drive in for the game-winning touchdown with 58 seconds to play.

Money had five tackles, also had 99 yards on kickoff returns and other 49 on punt returns in a 23-22 Yale win.

Among the players he beat out for the award were Princeton's Steve Cody (15 tackles, 1 interception), Cornell's Chris Costello (14 tackles), Brown's James Develin (11 tackles, 3 1/2 tackles for losses) and teammate Paul Rice (15 tackles, a forced fumble).

Yale senior h-back/tight end John Sheffield, who had seven catches and 81 yards, was named to the honor roll along with Rice.

During their lengthy chat before Saturday's game, neither Yale football coach Tom Williams nor his Columbua counterpart Norries Wilson brought up the history-making achievement they were about to partake in.

In the long, storied history of Ivy League football, never has a conference game featured two African-American head coaches - until Saturday.

Wilson, in his fourth season, is the first black head football coach in Ivy League history. Williams, hired in January, is the second. Dr. C. Kevin Harrison, the Associate Director of the Institute for Diversity and Ethics In Sport, was at Wien Stadium for the historic event. But for Williams and Wilson, the focus was on leading their teams to a much-needed win.

"The significance of the day is not lost on either one of us, we both appreciate the opportunities to be head coaches and African-American coaches," said Williams after his Yale team rallied from a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter for the Bulldogs' first conference road win of the season. "I think we are both proud of our heritage, that is something we stand behind and are very proud of but at the end of the day it was Yale versus Columbia. It wasn't Tom Williams versus Norries Wilson. We are happy to take this win home for Yale, I am happy to be a representative of the African-American community but this is all about two universities and two football teams."

Before the game, Williams was introduced to Dr. Harrison by Wilson and a few photos were snapped. Then the two coaches went their separate ways to do what they were hired to do - coach their football teams.

"Before the game, we talked about Tom's kids, his wife getting acclimated to New Haven," Wilson said. "He's worried about how they are going to handle the winter. We didn't talk about that (coaching matchup). It is probably something for our kids to talk about when they grow up. He wants to win football games and I want to win football games. The bottom line is they don't put in the paper that a black coach won, they put in the paper that Yale won. It is an issue but it is not an issue for me and Coach Williams, we just have to go out and be the best coaches we can be for the young men we coach, for the young men who are trying to compete in the position we are in."

Freshman running back Taylor Stib ran 14 times for 184 yards including scoring runs of 7 and 79 yards, caught three passes for 40 yards and completed a 56-yard pass to lead the Yale junior varsity team to a 34-26 win over Bridgton Academy Sunday at Clint Frank Field.

Stib also had three kickoff returns including one in which he ran over Bridgton's Christian Weeman, much to the delight of the Yale varsity players on the sideline.

Classmate Javi Sosa ran 17 times for 103 yards as the Bulldogs offensive line of sophomores Jeff Fell, Colin Kruger, Evan Ellis and freshmen Justin Hymes and Luke Hartwig paved the way for Yale to run for 283 yards.

Dez Duron was 10 of 23 for 106 yards including TD passes of 21 yards to Collin Bibb, 10 yards to Alex Birks and 4 yards to John Runk.

Defensively, freshman lineman Chris Dooley was sensational with 10 tackles, a fumble recovery, a sack and three tackles for losses. Ben Ashcraft had nine tackles, Josh Grizzard had an interception while Austin Pulsipher had seven tackles, Bryan Farris had Scott Williams had six tackles each. Defensive linemen Charles Holmes and Nick Daffin were both extremely active.

Yale's JV team is 2-2 heading into the season finale on Nov. 20 at 1 p.m. against Harvard at Clint Frank Field.

For Bridgton, which fell to 0-3 against Ivy League JV teams, Kenneth Brock 26 for 48 passing for 353 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Keith Williams 7 catches for 151 yards including touchdowns of 80 and 29 yards while Brent MacLeod had two sacks and Branford's Brandon Murphy had four tackles.