Princeton Football

After a convincing road victory at Ivy League rival Columbia, the Princeton Tigers next travel to Fisher Stadium in Easton, Pa. to face a Lafayette team that was just 19 seconds away from being 4-0. The Leopards fell 31-28 to Robert Morris University when Colonials kicker Greg Langer split the uprights from 33 yards away.

"You can never put your finger on why," explained Lafayette head coach Frank Tavani, "but we came out flat."

Much of the Leopards' success this season has come from their ability to capitalize on turnovers. This year, Lafayette is plus nine in the turnover department, with their defensive backfield responsible for much of that prosperity. So far this season, the Leopards have intercepted 11 passes through their first four games.

By comparison, the Tigers could easily have been 3-0 on the season, as their two losses are by a combined total of four points. After two straight seasons with just one win, the Tigers appear to be poised to show the upturn in their performance for which fans—and head coach Bob Surace—have been looking.

While sophomore quarterback Connor Michelsen has shown flashes of maturity, he is only 36-of-71 for 355 yards, without a touchdown pass. Much of the Tigers' success this season is due to a steady but unspectacular rushing game where running backs Akil Sharp (97 yards, 2 TDs) and DiAndre Atwater (143 yards, one TD) currently lead the team.

By far, the turnabout in the Tigers this season is the defense, which has allowed an average of 14.7 points per game. The strength of the Princeton defense has clearly been the run stoppers, which have held opponents to a mere 102 yards per game. In addition, the Tigers average three sacks per game and are the highest ranked defense in the Ivy League.

Game Time: 6:00pm (Eastern Time), October 6; Fisher Stadium, Easton, Pa.

After playing competitive games against Lehigh and Georgetown that resulted in losses, the Princeton Tigers may have been wondering what they needed to do to secure a win. As it turns out, all they needed to do in their Ivy League opener against the Columbia Lions was to return the opening kickoff.

When Anthony Gaffney took the opening kick on his own 6-yard line, the fate of the Lions was sealed as the freshman ran 94 yards to take the Tigers to an early 7-0 lead.

As it turns out, it would be all the Tigers needed.

Columbia would muster but two field goals against a Princeton defense, which held the Lions to just 12 first downs in the game and 39 yards rushing. The Tigers' defense came through when it needed to, holding Columbia to just 3-of-17 on third down conversions and 0-for-2 on fourth down. Princeton also intercepted quarterback Sean Brackett twice.

Despite having two turnovers of their own, Princeton rolled up 335 total yards on offense, including DiAndre Atwater's 51 yards rushing on 13 carries.

Princeton may have found the spark it had sorely been missing this season as backup quarterback Quinn Epperly (7-of-10 for 101 yards and 1 TD) saw extensive playing time. In addition to his standout day passing, Epperly also ran six times for 42 yards. Connor Michelsen, who has been the starter in all three games this season, was 11-for-19 on the day with an interception.

Princeton's defense held the opposition without a touchdown in the game, which no Tiger team has done since 2006. With a final score of 33-6, the 27-point margin of victory was the largest for the Tigers since 2005, when they defeated Dartmouth 30-0.

Princeton next travels to Lafayette for a showdown with the 3-0 Leopards on October 6.

Bob Surace needs to squeeze just a little more offense out of his team. With an 0-2 record, the Princeton Tigers have dropped two decisions on the season by a combined total of just four points. In the losses, the Tigers' defense has yielded an average of nearly 233 yards per game, with opposing quarterbacks averaging a 64 percent pass completion record.

By comparison, Princeton quarterback Connor Michelsen has struggled so far this season, with a 48 percent pass completion record (25-of-52). To his credit, Michelsen has not thrown an interception so far this year—but he hasn't thrown a touchdown, either. While the Tigers have spread the ball around to nine different receivers so far this season, none has more than six total catches.

The bright spots during the 2012 campaign have been in the running game, specifically Akil Sharp and DiAndre Atwater. The two backs have shown flashes of power and explosiveness, respectively. Sharp had the lone two Tiger touchdowns in Week 1, whereas Atwater broke away for a 53-yard touchdown romp against Georgetown.

This week the Tigers travel to New York City to take on the Columbia Lions, which marks the first Ivy League game this season for both clubs. The Lions (1-1) won their home opener 10-9 over Marist, but dropped a decision last week to Fordham, 20-13.

"We need to develop a level of consistency," said Columbia head coach Pete Mangurian after the loss to Fordham [as quoted by the Columbia University Athletic Department press release on GoColumbiaLions.com]. "Until we do that, we will not be able to be the team we want to be."

This week's game marks the third consecutive home game for the Lions to start the season, whereas the Tigers' 2012 season has started with three road games in their first four.

Game Time: 12:30pm EDT, at Robert K. Kraft Field (Lawrence A Wien Stadium), September 29.

Despite seeing its starting quarterback going down to an injury in the first quarter, the Georgetown Hoyas found a way to win on the road against the Princeton Tigers while scoring just one offensive touchdown.

Matt MacZura hit three field goals, including the game winner with just 14 seconds remaining, to lift the Hoyas to a 21-20 victory at Princeton Stadium before a crowd of 6,792. The Hoyas improved to 3-1 on the season, while Princeton dropped to 0-2.

Georgetown outgained the Tigers through the air and on the ground and even had more time of possession.

But the difference in the game was clearly special teams.

Princeton built a 14-3 lead early in the second quarter on the strength of two touchdowns by Mark Hayes and Will Powers, but a costly fumble by the Tigers was recovered in the end zone by Georgetown to narrow the score to 14-12 just before halftime.

Starting Georgetown quarterback Aaron Aiken, who had been 8-of-9 before injuring his ankle in the first quarter, was relieved by backup Stephen Skon, who finished 14-of-24 for 121 yards. Georgetown took the lead when Nick Campanella (nine carries for 63 yards) scored on a seven-yard run to give the Hoyas an 18-14 lead as the third quarter ended.

But DiAndre Atwater—son of former NFL defensive back Steve Atwater—ripped off a 53-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter to again put the Tigers ahead. After the extra point was blocked, the Hoyas found themselves down, 20-18.

But Georgetown mounted a 15-play, 72-yard drive that used five minutes and 20 seconds of the clock to set up MacZura's 33-yard field goal to lift the Hoyas to a hard-fought victory over their Ivy League opponents.

Princeton's special teams play was unquestionably its undoing, as not only did kicker Nolan Bieck have one of his field goals blocked (which, incredibly, the Tigers converted into their first touchdown), but he also missed three others. Perhaps most importantly, Bieck had his final extra point attempt blocked following the third Tiger touchdown, leaving the door open for Georgetown's one-point victory.

The Tigers will try to rebound and get their first victory next week on the road against Ivy League rival Columbia.

The Princeton Tigers made a valiant effort last week against Lehigh but came up a little short, dropping a 17-14 decision to the Mountain Hawks. Looking to change their fortunes, head coach Bob Surace's team returns to New Jersey for their home opener in a Friday night battle with visiting Georgetown. The Hoyas (2-1) are coming off a tough loss themselves, having been beaten at home by Yale, 24-21.

Georgetown is averaging 23 points a game this season, with running back Nick Campanella (216 yards) and quarterback Aaron Aiken (198 yards) powering the running attack.

Aiken (37 of 84, two touchdowns) is struggling somewhat, having thrown three interceptions so far this season. To his credit, Aiken has spread the ball around in the first three games, with no less than 12 different players chalking up receptions this year. Leading receiver Kevin Macari has seven receptions this season and is also the team's punt returner.

The Tigers started their season later than other schools, and it showed last week against Lehigh. In a statement after last week's contest, Bob Surace admitted [as quoted by Stephen Wood of The Daily Princetonian on DailyPrincetonian.com]: “Early in the game, we looked like a team that hadn’t played, and they looked like a team that’s a playoff team...It took us some time.”

Princeton quarterback Connor Michelsen struggled early in last week's contest, but played well down the stretch as the Tigers attempted to mount a comeback. Undoubtedly the bright spot of the game was the performance of running back Akil Sharp, who scored two touchdowns in the losing effort.

“It’s just nice to see him getting stronger as the game went on,” Surace said of Sharp, who was an integral part of the Tigers' second-half surge.

“I think we’re just coming together as a team,” Sharp said, “We came back in the second half and seemed to really believe." With the absence of star running back Chuck Dibilio this season, Sharp may well be only viable option for the Tigers' ground attack against the Hoyas.

Game Time: 7:00pm (ET), Friday, September 21.

Princeton Stadium, Princeton, NJ.

Television: ESPNU.

What looked to be a blowout by the end of the first half turned out to be an exciting contest, as the Lehigh Mountain Hawks found themselves holding on against a determined Princeton Tigers squad that came up just short in the 2012 opener for the orange and black.

Lehigh senior Zach Barket opened the scoring with a five-yard TD run in the first quarter, staking the Mountain Hawks to an early 7-0 lead. After a Jake Peery 23-yard second-quarter field goal, the Hawks scored again with just over three minutes remaining in the half.

The score opened up a 17-0 lead against a Princeton team that could not get on track offensively.

But, in the second half, the 7,346 in attendance at Goodman Stadium saw the Tigers mount a fourth quarter comeback when Akil Sharp (22 carries for 79 yards and 2 TDs) scored on a 13-yard run. When the extra point was blocked, Lehigh led 17-6.

Princeton quarterback Connor Michelsen (14-of-30 for 103 yards) drove the team a second time in the fourth quarter, hitting Roman Wilson with a pass that got the Tigers to the Lehigh 1-yard line. From there, Princeton capped the drive with Akil Sharp's second touchdown on the ground.

The Tigers elected to go for the two-point conversion, and Michelsen hit Roman Wilson to cut the deficit to 17-14 with just under five minutes remaining.

The Tigers took possession of the ball again, but when Michelsen overthrew receiver Shane Wilkinson on third down, Princeton elected to punt and rely on their defense to get the ball back.

With Lehigh facing a third down and needing 11 yards for a first down, hopes of a Princeton comeback were dashed: QB Mike Colvin hit Dylan Colgate to move the sticks and seal the win for Lehigh.

Princeton faces Georgetown next at 7:00pm EDT on Friday, September 21 at Princeton Stadium.

After a 2011 season that saw the Tigers go 1-9, tragedy struck the program when freshman sensation Chuck Dibilio suffered a stroke earlier this year.

The young running back, whose condition and story was well-publicized both locally and nationally, had run for over 1,000 yards in 2011, averaging over 100 yards a game. Now, what appeared to be the prime piece for the Tigers to build around is questionable to ever return to the gridiron.

Dibilio is staying close to football by working as a volunteer assistant coach with a high school program in Pennsylvania. While doing rehabilitation through the spring and summer, Dibilio is targeting a return to the field in 2013. An optimistic Dibilio states that he is "99 percent" sure that he'll make it back next season (as reported by Tom Hinkel of The Express-Times on lehighvalleylive.com)

”With Chuck, it’s been an on-going thing,” head coach Bob Surace said (as reported by Justin Feil of The Princeton Packet on CentralJersey.com). “As a 19-year-old and to have a stroke and to make the progress he’s made, it’s truly a credit to him as a person.”

But until next season, the anemic Tigers offense must find some way to pump adrenaline into an attack that was outscored by nearly a two-to-one margin last year.

”Against talented teams, we were very competitive," offered Surace of his team's 2011 performance. "We have to take it one step further and turn the competitive aspect into winning these games.”

The rushing attack may be sorely lacking with senior Akil Sharp (246 yards last season) taking much of the early workload while Surace looks for a breakout performer. That will put a greater demand upon the passing game.

Leading receiver Shane Wilkinson returns for his senior season (38 receptions for 384 yards), along with Matt Costello (29 receptions) and tight end Mark Hayes (11 receptions).

The quarterback position remains an open question, however, as Surace has not yet named a starter. While freshman Kedrick Bostic has looked promising in camp, the true battle is between sophomores Quinn Epperly and Connor Michelsen.

The Tigers open the season at Lehigh—the Patriot League Champions—who won their opening contest against Monmouth University 27-17 on September 1. Lehigh then faces Central Connecticut State on September 8 before returning home the following week to host Princeton.

Senior quarterback Michael Colvin (17-of-32) had a big game in Lehigh's opener, passing for 221 yards and two touchdowns. Nine of his passes went to fellow senior Ryan Spadola who had 111 yards in the game. Colvin was also the second-leading rusher in the game with 56 yards and a touchdown, behind running back Zach Barket (14 carries for 61 yards).

In order for the Tigers to turn "competitive" into "winning," it will fall to the defense to pressure Colvin and contain him when he runs.

"The strength of our team is the front seven on defense." said Surace.

If Colvin has time to throw, however, it could be a long afternoon for the Tigers, as the passing defense is somewhat suspect.

“Two years ago it was the run defense that was the big problem,” admitted Princeton senior linebacker Tim Kingsbury (as reported by Jay Greenberg on princetontigersfootball.com) “We worked on that and got much better last year.  Now we’re working on the pass defense.”

Game Time: 12:30pm (EDT). Goodman Stadium, Bethlehem, PA.

The Princeton Tigers have fallen on hard times. The University that has won 28 National Championships, (the most in college football, with the most recent one in 1950) suffered through a terrible year on and off the field in 2011, and supporters expect that there is no place to go but up.

Former Cincinnati Bengals' assistant Bob Surace returns this season as Head Coach of the Tigers, and will rely heavily on defensive coordinator Jared Backus and offensive coordinator James Perry to guide a youthful Princeton squad in 2012. Surace will look to improve upon the woeful 1-9 record last season, which landed them dead last in the Ivy League.

But alumni and fans of the Tigers are hopeful that their fortunes will soon be improving. On defense, Second Team All-Ivy League defensive lineman Mike Catapano is returning for his senior year along with junior line mate Caraun Reid to anchor the Princeton line. Last year, the two players combined for thirteen sacks.

Catapano will serve as the team's co-captain along with junior linebacker Andrew Starks, who had 80 tackles last season for the Tigers. The captains will have their work cut out for them as they attempt to turn around a defense that gave up an average of 32.5 points per game last season.

If the Tigers are to really make strides this season, they will have to find a way to pump life into an anemic offense that averaged just 17.4 points per game last year.

This year, Ben Martin joins Surace's staff as running backs coach, replacing Andrew Aurich, who joined Greg Schiano's newly assembled group with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Highly questionable is the return of sophomore running back Chuck Dibilio, who had nearly 1,100 yards rushing last year and was undoubtedly a highlight in an otherwise forgettable season. Dibilio, the 2011 Ivy League Football Rookie of the Year suffered a stroke in January, but has shown good signs of recovery.

"Everything's going pretty well," Dibilio said of his rehabilitation. "I'm pretty happy about my progress so far."

The real question for the Tigers' offense is at quarterback, where sophomores Quinn Epperly and Connor Michelsen will vie for the starting job. Both quarterbacks saw limited action last season as backups behind starter Tommy Wornham.

The Tigers open their season on September 15 at Lehigh and face Columbia (the only team they beat last season) on September 29.

Championship No. 29 may not be in the foreseeable future, but Surace is optimistic about the upcoming season. "There's a lot of young guys out there," Surace said of his young team. "We cannot make as many mistakes. For us to compete against a top five team like Lehigh or the rest of our schedule after that game, it's a pretty demanding schedule, we can't beat ourselves."

The College Sporting News is out with its preseason football picks for the Ivy League.

Here's how it looks:

1. Harvard

2. Yale
3. Brown
4. Penn
5. Dartmouth
6. Cornell
7. Princeton
8. Columbia


Should I be worried that this prediction doesn't look all that bad to me?

I'll get to the Lions being picked last in a moment, but I too plan on picking Harvard, Yale, Brown and Penn as my top four when I release my detailed picks later this summer.

Unless something changes, Harvard looks like the team to beat with a great offensive line, experienced QB and overall strong defense.

Yale has a shot, because of star running back Mike McLeod, but the Elis have lost a lot of stars on the offensive and defensive lines.

Brown is everyone's favorite to surprise after last season's offensive explosion.

I am surprised by how low they placed Princeton and how high Dartmouth ended up, but you don’t know how hard these guys work on picking the Ivies after the first 2-3 teams.

As far as Columbia's last place prediction, well, you have to expect that after going 0-7 last year.

Any team starting a new QB is always a little suspect and Columbia will need to do that this season.

Of course, it's always nice to surprise people and the Lions certainly have the opportunity to do that in 2008.


Game of the Day

November 4, 1951

Columbia 21, Cornell 20


Yesterday, I highlighted Columbia's thrilling one-point upset win over Cornell in 1950. The Lions did it again a year later in Ithaca.

This time the final score was 21-20.

Once again, an extra point that wasn't the biggest role in Columbia's victory.

Big Red kicker, Bill Kirk, simply missed the PAT after Cornell had stormed back from a 21-7, fourth quarter deficit to make it 21-20.

But Columbia still needed an interception by Ben Mione a few minutes later to truly ice the game in front of 21,000 very cold fans at Schoelkopf Field.

Other of the other Lion stars were Wes Bomm, who broke Bill Swiacki's career receptions record with seven grabs on the day.

The Lions won despite being out gained 383-273 from scrimmage.

Columbia also lost two fumbles, but made up for it with three interceptions, including the game-clincher.

And the unsung heroes were the snow removal crews from “gorges” Ithaca.

The entire field and most of the stands were covered in heavy snow before the game, but the snow plows quickly made the field playable.