Tuesday's news and notes

Down two key players in Saturday’s loss to Fordham, the Bulldogs lost another two against the Rams.

WR Chris Smith (knee) and LB Andrew Larkin missed Saturday’s game. QB Henry Furman (upper body) did not play in the second half and RB Tyler Varga (foot) left the game after getting injured on a run early in the third quarter. Varga didn’t return, and was on the sideline with crutches and a boot on his left foot.

Also, QB Morgan Roberts came into Tuesday’s media luncheon with a walking boot.

Of course, head coach Tony Reno lists all as “day-to-day.”


“The good thing is, everyone is pretty much day-to-day as to when they can come back and when they can’t,” Reno said. “We will find out more about it as we go on throughout the week. They were all at the doctors this morning and the feedback we got from our medical staff is that they are all day-to-day.”

UPDATE: Smith, Furman and Varga were suited up, but did not practice. Varga was in a boot. Roberts and Eric Williams split time at QB. Larkin practiced.  

ADAPTING

Recruited as a RB, Fr. Darius Manora has moved to LB this season and has transitioned well.

He has 19 tackles with a sack. He had eight tackles and a sack against Dartmouth.

“We try to get the best guys on the field,” Reno said. “We had a log jam at RB. He’s made a great transition and has done a nice job.”

Manora picked up most of his awards in high school as a running back. A standout at St. Stephens and St. Agnes school in Virginia, Manora rushed for over 4,500 career yards to set a league record. He also played linebacker.

“It’s a tough change coming in learning both the offensive and defensive scheme,” he said. “Once you get situated, there are a lot of great leaders to help you along the way. It’s been fun. I’ve been able to play right away and help the team.”

LOOKING BACK

Yale lost to a legitimate FCS title contender Saturday in Fordham. The Rams are now No. 7 in the nation and off to their best start – 8-0 0 – in program history.

“Fordham is an exceptional football team,” Reno said. “They really don’t have any weaknesses. They have playmakers all over the field. Their QB is exceptional, their WRs have speed and size, they’re big up front. They had it all. We hung it there with them. It was a good test for us. If we did a couple things different in the first half, it could have been a different outcome. We’re a little more banged up then we would’ve liked, but I think we’re much more prepared.”

Reno said Fordham is as good of a team as any he’s seen during his tenure in the Ivy. That includes Harvard’s 2004 squad.

Fordham WR Sam Ajala finished with a school-record 282 yards and tied a record with four TDs.

“He was faster than anyone else on the field and a kid that can throw to the front shoulder ever time,” Reno said. “We tried different things, but in the end they were just really good. It was the first time our guys have been run by.”