Yale coach Jack Siedlecki was quick to point out the play of two players he feels don’t always get the recognition they deserve.
"The guy who every week makes a play or two, or makes a block or two or who just plays his tail off and really doesn’t get the appreciation of everyone else is Taylor Craig," Siedlecki said.
"No one plays harder than Taylor. No one is more physical that Taylor. Nobody. He’s as important to us as any skill guys. The two guys that don’t get as much attention are Langston (Johnson) and Taylor."
Craig had two carries for four yards and two catches for 10 yards. He also was key in blocking for Mike McLeod.
MANTE SHINES
Freshman punter Tom Mante had his best performance of the season with three punts for 120 yards, including a 32-yarder that put Penn at its own 7-yard line.
Mante, who entered the game averaging 33.1 yards because of a handful of shanked kicks, boomed back-to-back punts in the fourth quarter.
After a near-50-yard punt was negated because offsetting penalties, Penn elected to have Mante punt again. This time his punt sailed 58 yards high into the autumn sky that put Penn at its own 25.
SANTORO … AGAIN
Sophomore defensive back Steve Santoro continues to be a turnover machine.
Santoro made a nice over-the-shoulder interception in the first quarter on the left sideline, keeping a foot inbounds.
The interception was Santoro’s team-leading third interception. He has forced or come up witha turnover in five straight games.
Santoro had back-to-back interceptions against Cornell and Lafayette and then forced fumbles against Dartmouth and Lehigh.
INJURY BUG
Yale was hit with some injuries Saturday.
Sophomore right tackle Darius Dale injured an ankle on the seventh play of the game, Yale’s first touchdown, and said he will be out a couple of weeks.
Sophomore defensive end Kyle Hawari sprained an MCL in his knee.
Junior offensive guard Tom Woznicki suffered a concussion in the fourth quarter.
Defensive end and long snapper Chris Wright also left the game with an unspecified injury. He did return to the sideline after being taken off in the cart.
ON SECOND THOUGHT …
Sophomore linebacker Bobby Abare was thinking about approaching Alan Kimball before
Kimball’s 35-yard field goal in overtime led to a Bulldogs win.
"I was thinking about telling him, don’t worry about missing it, just kick the ball," Bobby Abare said.
"But everyone was like, ‘don’t talk to him.’ You know, that whole don’t talk to the kicker before a field goal thing."
EXTRA POINTS
‰Wide receiver D.J. Shooter made a touchdown-saving tackle with 10 seconds left in the game, knocking out Penn defensive back Greg Ambrogi, who returned an interception to the Yale 36.
If Ambrogi gets past Shooter he has a clear path to the end zone.
‰Yale is 5-1 for the first time since 1999, when it was 9-1 and shared for the Ivy League title with Brown.
‰Two of the past three games at Yale Bowl have gone to overtime dating back to last year’s triple overtime loss to Harvard.
Thanks for the update on the injuries to Hawari, Dale and Woz. We can beat Columbia without them -- maybe Brown, too -- but we're going to need those three against the likes of Princeton and Harvard. Hawari has been especially strong this season. No wonder Colorado wanted him so badly. Regards, Mike Harrington, TD'69
ReplyDeleteDear Sean:
ReplyDeleteI just looked at the Photo Gallery regarding for the Penn game and Phot #10 shows the Penn DB (#24) Greg Ambrogi being tackled by Langston Johnson and Ashley Wright waiting to catch the ball before it hits the ground.
There is a correction needed in your article regarding the Second Quarter interception by Ashley Wright. I was at the game and video tapped the play. My son is Langston Johnson(#17) Tight End for Yale. What actually happened was the following:
1) During the second Yale scoring drive of the second quarter, Matt Polhemus, under heavy pressure threw a pass that was initially caught by Penn DB Greg Ambrogi.
2) While Ambrogi was “juggling the ball” Langston instantly reacted and tackled Ambrogi and that tackle “popped” the ball free.
3) At that point Ashley Wright made a spectacular diving catch that scooped up the ball before it could hit the ground.
I have looked at this section of my video tape over a dozen times and I did not see Ashley’s “knock” the ball away from Ambrogi. The ball came free because of the “hit” by Langston. I am sure if you review the offical game tape it will show the same.
To me this is just another example of the unselfish teamwork of both Langston and Ashley. I just want to make sure that both players get the appropriate recognition.
If you need a copy of my video for verification please do not hesitate to contact me .
GO BULLDOGS
Sean
ReplyDelete21,000 attendance? I know it's hard to guess because people spread out in the Bowl. but I watched on CN8 and the place looked pretty empty. Does Yale count tickets sold or actual people that show up?
Jeff in Mesa
Jeff,
ReplyDeleteYale's attendance reflects those that show up.
They distribute a lot more tickets.
I was surprised at this game, because the traffic around the Bowl was pretty heavy an hour or so before kickoff and it seemed like parking lots had some people in them.
It was close to a third filled inside.