Football kicks off three-game stint at home against Patriot League's Colgate

2-1 overall, 1-0 Ivy League.

Under head coach Roger Hughes, the football team has never had as good a start.

Under head coach Roger Hughes, Princeton has never defeated Saturday's home opponent, Colgate. In fact, they have not come close, losing by an average of 26.5 points.

This season, however, has been a season of nevers. Under Hughes, the Tigers have never been picked to finish so high in preseason rankings (the team was picked to finish No. 2 in the Ivy League). The team has never been able to orchestrate two wins back-to-back this early in the season. It has only been on a winning streak once, at the end of the 2001 season. And even that streak lasted for only two games with wins against Yale and Dartmouth—matching the length of the current streak.

So is this the season that the Tigers will break the curse of the Red Raiders?

"Colgate is a very tough opponent," Hughes said in Wednesday's press conference. "We haven't really been competitive with them the past two seasons.

"We're looking forward to the chance for some redemption."

The true test for Princeton this week will come on the defensive side of the ball. Colgate's offense has always been one of the more effective in the Patriot League. The Raiders bring a balanced offensive set, as demonstrated last week against Bucknell. They scored in the air, moved the ball effectively on the ground, and kicked the overtime winner.

Their ground attack is always potent, and this season is no different. They have two players averaging over 50 yards rushing per game. Their top back, Nate Thomas, averages 70 yards per game, but will not be making an appearance this weekend as he will miss the remainder of the 2002 season with an injury. Although this has put a cramp in the ground attack, their fullback Justin Polk has stepped up to pick up the slack. He is now averaging 4.7 yards per carry.

"They have a smash mouth offense," senior linebacker J.R. Sauder said. "They say 'we're going to run the ball, come and stop us.'

"As a defense, we're going to have to step it up this weekend."

Quarterback Tom McCune highlights the air attack. McCune was a thorn in the Tigers' paw last season. He completed 19 of 26 passes for 265 yards. Three of McCune's passes went for six. McCune drove the offense for a total of 506 offensive yards to the Tigers' paltry 175.

Get the best of the ‘Prince’ delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe now »

This season has been no different thus far for McCune. He is currently averaging just under 200 yards passing per game with four touchdowns.

The Raiders' kicker has certainly proven himself—at short range. Lane Schwarzberg hit two field goals in Colgate's win over Bucknell last week, including the game-winning overtime field goal. He has been perfect on the season—when he has been less than 29 yards out. Further than that, he has not hit a single field goal on three attempts.

There are three things the Tiger defense must do against Colgate.

First, Princeton must continue to stifle the run. With Colgate's top running back out of commission, the Tigers are facing a back who does not have as much experience as Thomas. Against Columbia, they managed to virtually shut down the ground attack at least as it involved the running backs.

Second, the Tigers have to put out a bounty on Tom McCune's head. McCune is a quarterback similar to Steve Hunsberger of Columbia — he will find some way to burn you if you let him stay in the game too long. The Tigers must hit him and hit him hard, then help him up only to pound him again on the next play. It took until the fourth quarter for Hunsberger to really show the effects of the beating he was taking — McCune has to flinch before halftime for the Princeton defense to be successful.

Third, the Tigers must not give up big plays. The secondary must not have any holes in it this week on long third downs so it can force Colgate either to try a field goal or turn it over.

On the offensive side of the ball, Princeton must worry about one thing. Regardless of what kind of a defense Colgate brings on Saturday, the offensive line must open holes for the running backs and protect the quarterback. Last weekend against Columbia was the hottest weather the Tigers have played in, and it showed on the offensive line. This weekend's weather reports indicate that it will be cool for Saturday's kickoff, so the o-line should be able to last longer.

The offensive line has been effective this season. And if it continues to be wet this weekend, then the line should be ready to run the ball, for throwing in the rain can be difficult. The line must get the back the first few yards — a good back then goes and gets some more. All three of Princeton's running backs—senior Cameron Atkinson and sophomores Jon Veach and Branden Bensen — have shown the right judgment to make cuts to pick up extra yards.

The line must also defend junior quarterback Dave Splithoff in the pocket. Splithoff likes to tuck and run, but given a little more time before the pocket collapses on him, his receivers will get open. Senior wide receiver Chisom Opara and sophomore B.J. Szymanski have some of the best hands on the team, even in the rain. They are both playmakers as well — once they have the ball, they will pick up extra yardage.

Either way, Princeton is looking forward to this game. With the close loss to then-No. 3 Lehigh and then having pulled out two victories from difficult positions, the Tigers are starting to gain some confidence.

"It will be a great opportunity for us to see where we stand playing against a perennial Patriot League power," Hughes said.