By Stephen Cooney
With the offense driving down the field and the game winding to an end, Cory Christopher seemed to be becoming the spark of the team, stringing together short runs and even more impressive passes to put the Pride into scoring range.
Christopher looked like a seasoned veteran and not a one-game starter in the driver’s seat of the Pride offense. Even though Christopher’s drive stalled and the Pride eventually went on to lose the game in overtime, a lot can be said about his personal performance.
After the injury to returning starter Bryan Savage, Christopher was thrust into the spotlight against UConn only to have his team struggle to move the ball and suffer a lopsided loss in their season opener. With the second week approaching, there were even more doubts about the Pride’s future without their offensive leader. Last weekend, Christopher answered most of those questions.
The quarterback answered these questions early when he threw a 13-yard strike to Aaron Weaver – a drive-capping score that displayed all of Christopher’s ability. The Pride marched down the field on the strength of the legs and arm of their quarterback. It took only 9 plays, 59 yards and 4 minutes and 32 seconds for Christopher to flex the Pride’s offensive muscle.
From this point on the game would slow down. The defenses tightened and the scoring stagnated, but Christopher remained in control. Making smart decisions with the ball and approaching the line of scrimmage with the attitude of a warrior.
When the fourth quarter started, Christopher and the Pride’s offense seemed to awake like a sleeping giant, rallying 73 yards down the field to tie the score at 16.
After a dominating stop by the Pride defense, the emerging monster rolled back onto the field. Christopher led the beast 68 yards down the field in what seemed to be the game-winning drive. Centering the ball on Albany’s 20-yard line, Christopher handed the ball over to the special teams unit to seal the game and the team’s first victory of the season. Much to the Pride’s dismay, the ensuing field goal was blocked and the team would eventually go on to lose the game.
Doesn’t seem like the ending that everyone was dreaming of, but Christopher began to emerge as the leader and the spark to the offense. His mobility in the pocket opened the passing game, and his smart decision-making kept the Pride in the game until the final seconds. His poise under center in the final drive was the glue that the team needed in order to move the ball.
Christopher compiled 272 yards passing, completing 27 of 38 attempts, and also added 44 net rushing yards. He was confident and intelligent in the pocket as the offense seemed to meld together under his control. More importantly, he was not satisfied with his performance in the post game interview, pointing out the fact that the offense should end the game and not the special teams.
“Our offense is built to score touchdowns.” Christopher said. “It is what we demand.”
This seems to be the sign of a true leader and competitor. The questions will only continue to be answered over the next few weeks regarding the quarterback and the Pride’s offense. Hopefully Christopher can deliver the touchdowns he demands.

(Stephen Cooney)