Athlete of the Week -- Matt Verbit

Before Saturday's game, few media outlets (including this illustrious publication) gave the football team much of a chance against Lafayette. Senior quarterback Matt Verbit must not have gotten that message.

Verbit went 18-for-26 with two touchdowns and no picks and he also scampered into the endzone for another score on a four-yard run. Perhaps most importantly, Verbit held onto the ball when he decided to tuck it and run. One of the main criticisms of Verbit in the past has been his tendency to fumble.

On Saturday, the Newtown, Pa. native not only exhibited his athleticism and throwing arm, but his maturity and leadership. In the second half, with his team comfortably in the lead, Verbit took control of the game and with smart, mistake-free football.

If the team is going to have success this year, Verbit must continue that strong play, particularly in light of the injury sustained by junior wide receiver Clint Wu. After catching seven passes for 108 yards, Wu went down with what now appears to be a season-ending injury. Without Wu as a primary target, Verbit will have to put even more of the offensive load on his own shoulders while continuing to take care of the football. Expect to see junior cornerback Jay McCareins see more time at receiver.

Princeton's next test comes this week when the squad travels to the West Coast for the first time in the program's history to take on the University of San Diego.