After an outstanding first half, the football team lost in a heartbreaking loss to Lehigh last weekend. The question that is now on everyone's mind is simple:
Can the football team recover?
Having led 24-7 at the end of the first half, most people thought the game was over.
Losing a 17-point lead in the final quarter certainly has its effects on a team. Not only did the Tigers come away from Bethlehem with a loss, but they probably now have a bit less confidence in finishing up the opponent.
Princeton (0-1) will get another chance under the lights of Princeton Stadium. They will play host to Lafayette (2-1), another Patriot League team that has given the Tigers some trouble in the past. Last season, however, the game was cancelled due to the September 11th attacks.
More recently than last season, though, this is a Tiger team that gave the third-ranked squad in Division I-AA football a run for its money.
Princeton's defense has been dominating. Last week the defensive line batted down several passes from Lehigh quarterback Chad Schwenk. The Tigers also managed to sack Schwenk several times with only four and three-men rushes. Such intense rushing was led by the two junior defensive ends — Tim Kirby and Joe Weiss — both returning to the team this season weighing in at above 260 pounds.
The pass defense was excellent. There were few blown coverages, and in the first half, the defensive secondary defended well against the long ball. To end one Lehigh drive, senior safety Kevin Kongslie had great positioning to manage to pick off Schwenk.
Princeton's offensive production in the first half of last week's game was staggering. The Tiger "O" put together drive after drive, pushing the Lehigh defensive line back and making room for running backs senior Cameron Atkinson and sophomores Jon Veach and Branden Benson.
Junior quarterback Dave Splithoff put up impressive numbers as well. He found his favorite targets, senior wide receiver Chisom Opara and sophomore wide receiver B.J. Szymanksi, a total of 11 times. Those two receivers combined for a total of 199 yards and Princeton's two passing touchdowns.
When all was said and done, Princeton led Lehigh in nearly every category. Princeton held the ball longer, had more first downs, rushing yards, passing yards, and total yards. But on the scoreboard, Lehigh had seven more points.
"We met last Sunday, and one of the things we spoke about was putting two games back-to-back better," head coach Roger Hughes said in Wednesday's press conference.
Coach Hughes is correct. Last season, they struggled with the same problem — the inability to put good outings back-to-back.
"I was very proud of the way our players played," Hughes said. "As far as first games of a season, that was one of the best I've ever seen."
Perhaps it was due to first game jitters that had the team struggling in the second half. But, nonetheless, losing a game that you had led by 17 will shake any team, even if it was just their first game.
"We just have to rebound," senior running back Cam Atkinson said. "We looked at the film, we try to learn from our mistakes, we're just trying to get better every week.
"Most teams make the most improvement between weeks one and two."
That was a sentiment that coach Hughes also echoed at the Wednesday press conference. Recognizing that, the coaching staff did little differently this week in preparing for the Lafayette game, save one thing — simulating a fourth quarter situation by working extra conditioning and making sure the team finishes drills strong.
"The coaches haven't really done anything different," Atkinson said. "It's just mindset. We have to get in our heads that we're going to go out there for four quarters and play great football."
Tomorrow's game with Lafayette is the first before the Ivy League season begins next Saturday at Columbia.
The Tigers are predicted to finish second in the Ancient Eight behind Harvard.
A win tomorrow would go a long way in convincing the team that they can do that well in the Ivy League. Moreover, it would be the first win against Lafayette since 1984.
Read More
Six for six: men’s and women’s track and field both complete triple crown
Luke StocklessMen’s and women’s track and field each won the Ivy League title this past weekend, capping off a dominant season in which both teams won the triple crown — a feat not seen in 14 years.
Men’s and women’s track and field each won the Ivy League title this past weekend, capping off a dominant season in which both teams won the triple crown — a feat not seen in 14 years.
Nation’s No. 2 miler Mena Scatchard ’25 to transfer to Stanford for graduate year
Luke StocklessThe Tigers’ most decorated distance runner ever has decided to use her final year of eligibility at Stanford after graduating from Princeton this May.
The Tigers’ most decorated distance runner ever has decided to use her final year of eligibility at Stanford after graduating from Princeton this May.
Two-way treats: Shenefelt and Kram do it all for Princeton baseball team
Joseph UglialoroThe baseball team features two players who hit and pitch, a rarity at the college level. Nick Shenefelt and Kaden Kram each took unique paths to playing both ways this season.
The baseball team features two players who hit and pitch, a rarity at the college level. Nick Shenefelt and Kaden Kram each took unique paths to playing both ways this season.