Unbeatens to battle in Ivy League opener

You can get as fired up about the 2006 football team as you want, but the bottom line is, even after dethroning two perennial Patriot League powers, the real season is only beginning. And a beginning can mean everything or nothing, as last year's start to the Ivy League season showed. The Tigers won their opener and then went on to post their best season record in years. Columbia, on the other hand, went from a promising two-game winning streak to an abysmal eight-game losing streak, all precipitated by a single contest.

Fortunately for Princeton, there's a real chance to repeat history this weekend when the Tigers (2-0 overall) travel to Columbia (2-0) for an Ivy League opener between two unbeaten teams. Last year, under the same circumstances, Princeton showed that it was not a flash in the pan by busting out a 43-3 victory over the Lions. While the Tigers hope for a repeat of last year, this game, in all likelihood, promises to be much more competitive — an odd statement considering Columbia's lack of success on the football field in recent years. But that seems to have changed.

"[The Lions] have the number two offense and the number two defense in the Ivy League," Princeton head coach Roger Hughes said. "This is going to be a major test for us."

What's different about the Lions this year? Well, for starters, they have a new face at the helm in head coach Norries Wilson. Wilson, formerly the offensive coordinator at University of Connecticut, has generated a lot of excitement about Columbia's football prospects. The shakeup has appeared to do the Lions well, as they not only roared in the early portion of the season, but two Columbia players — defensive back Andy Shalbrack and kicker Jon Rocholl — have also earned Ivy League weekly awards heading into the weekend's game, confirming the team's confidence in its abilities to perform.

"Well, they're playing with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. They're playing really hard," Hughes said.

Shalbrack earned Rookie of the Week honors after recording 11 tackles and one sack against Georgetown last weekend. Rocholl earned Special Teams Player of the Week after booting 45, 41 and 23-yard field goals last week. Rocholl has made all six of his field goals to start the season.

Rocholl's success as a field goal kicker can be taken two ways. His ability to nail long-range field goals obviously translates into a greater capacity for Columbia to score points.

On the other hand, Rocholl's six attempts through two games could look like evidence that the Lions are coming up short of touchdowns on a number of drives. That doesn't appear to be the case, though, since Columbia has scored an impressive 60 points on the season, 36 on touchdowns.

The Lion defense hasn't looked too shabby, either, giving up only 28 points combined in the matches against Georgetown and Fordham.

Put it all together and you have the complete package — a team that can score, defend and execute on special teams. More importantly, the Lions seem to be bubbling with confidence, thanks in part to Wilson's arrival. And that's all without mentioning marquee running back Jordan Davis, who carried 27 times for 95 yards last week.

Columbia certainly has a lot of weapons. But so does Princeton.

While Shalbrack may have won Rookie of the Week, he is a defensive player, and guess who won Defensive Player of the Week? Senior cornerback J.J. Artis, after recording two key interceptions against Lafayette last week.

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The Tiger defense has performed even better than the Lion defense, giving up only 26 points in two contests. That kind of defensive performance has given the offense time to get its feet set.

Senior quarterback Jeff Terrell has been superb to start the season, whether putting points on the board with his arm, moving down the field with his head or keeping plays alive with his quick feet.

Last week, Terrell gave junior wide receiver Brendan Circle and senior wide receivers Brian Shields and Brian Brigham plenty of chances to make plays, and they didn't disappoint. Those three, along with sophomore running back R.C. Lagomarsino, provided secure places for Terrell to go with the ball against Lafayette. According to Hughes, that's exactly the type of philosophy the team needs to embrace.

"Success makes you slow to learn and quick to forget. We need to play as a team," Hughes said. "We haven't played at the level we need in order to compete in the Ivy League. We're excited, but we know there's a lot of work to be done."

The team's success thus far won't go to the players' heads, as Hughes has made sure that the team will be humble and focused come game time.

"Let me put it this way — there are enough mistakes being made that those guys don't feel too good about themselves," Hughes said.

Both teams have it right now; that sense of confidence that comes from finding ways to win, of succeeding on the football field. After this weekend, though, only one team will be able to walk away on top of the world.