Jon Blevins

Senior quarterback Jon Blevins rescued the football team in two of its three wins this year. Entering in the second half against both Columbia and Yale, Blevins orchestrated improbable comebacks from under center.

With Dartmouth leading the Tigers 42-31 Saturday, the senior once again set to work. This time, however, his work would not be enough, as the Big Green came away with the 42-37 win.

Nevertheless, with Princeton's defense incapable of stopping any facet of the Big Green attack, the Tigers would not have been close without the efforts of Blevins. The senior completed 21 of 31 passes for 288 yards and a touchdown while throwing no interceptions. He also ran for the Tigers' final touchdown in the fourth quarter.

The highlight of Blevins' afternoon was a 41-yard touchdown pass to his favorite target — sophomore wideout Chisom Opara. On a play that recalled last week's dramatic game-clincher at Yale, Blevins lofted an arching pass toward the end zone, where Opara seemed covered by a pair of Dartmouth defenders.

Blevins underthrew the pass slightly, which allowed Opara to leap over the Big Green defensive backs to haul down Princeton's first touchdown.

Saturday's loss closes an odd season for Blevins and the Tigers. Injury after injury to quarterbacks, including Blevins, who missed two weeks with an ankle sprain, resulted in an erratic rotation behind center. Returning from injury at the end of the year, Blevins filled the role masterfully. Just as soon as Princeton football has found its leader, however, it must continue its search. If only graduation did not come along every four years.