No lead, no problem for undefeated Princeton

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me, goes the saying. The football team has fooled all of its adversaries by rallying from deficits time and time again. At some point, the opposition will have to recognize that type of character as a permanent trait rather than a onetime fluke.

Princeton (4-0 overall, 1-0 Ivy League) continues to streak onwards, undefeated — a state that most would have scoffed at just a few short weeks ago. At the heart of the Tigers' success is the cool, calm nature that the team has exhibited in its many comebacks this season. Princeton has found itself trailing in all but one of its games, but the Tigers have repeatedly recovered to put themselves on top and preserve their sparkling record.

It is no longer part of the game analysis; it is part of the team's character — this team has proven itself to be a cool, calculating fighter.

"We try our best not to let what the other team is doing affect us. In order to stay confident and poised, we just try to believe in what we do and take it play by play," senior quarterback Jeff Terrell said. "When we are behind, we know that we just have to keep our composure and expect that we're going to do what it takes to win."

Down 10-0 against Lehigh; down 7-6, then 14-13 against Lafayette; down 7-0, 13-10 and finally 20-17 against Colgate. Never did Princeton allow the opposition to run away with the lead, never did Princeton fall victim to pressure. Every throw, every step and every move by an opponent was met with one by a man in the Orange and Black.

If you ask any of the Tigers about this tough-as-nails fortitude, however, they won't understand the source of the fuss.

"After we would get down, it's not really like we're any different if we're ahead or not," sophomore running back R.C. Lagomarsino said. "We just go out there and execute. It's execution — we know that we can't let the other team get further away from our grasp."

So this year, the team fights in ... a business suit? More or less, head coach Roger Hughes said.

"This team is very centered emotionally — not too high or too low," Hughes said. "The players go about and do their business."

Each time Princeton has faced a deficit, someone executes. Lagomarsino did it against Lafayette. Junior fullback Rob Toresco did it against Lehigh. And this time, against a relentless Colgate team, it was junior wide receiver Brendan Circle, racking up 116 yards and a touchdown on four catches. He was the one who resoundingly answered an opening touchdown drive by Colgate and knotted the game at seven points apiece.

"It's a no-panic approach," Circle said. "We know it's going to be a long game, so if we can go and put points on the board, it does a lot to stifle their momentum and turn the game in our favor."

As simple as John Madden's football analysis is, except that in this case, it actually is easier said than done.

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The one who keeps the machine oiled, shined and ready to go, according to Circle, is Terrell. His poise keeps the offensive unit confident in its abilities to score points, no matter the circumstances.

"Well, I think when you look at it from a building standpoint, when we would get down, we wouldn't be as confident that we could come back and score," Circle said. "But now Jeff is the key guy, and he just exudes confidence and makes sure we execute."

That execution doesn't stem from some new, profound change in the game plan, because the offense won't let a deficit snowball to that point.

"It's a credit to the leadership on this team," Hughes said. "They stay focused and ensure that everyone's on the same page, and if there's a mistake, that it doesn't happen again."

Hughes mentioned early in the season that the culture change he was trying to implement was beginning to take effect. Whether Princeton thrives on emotion or on cool, calm poise isn't the point. The Tigers believe in their capability to find a way to win, regardless of any difficulties the opposition may impose. How the team expresses this confidence doesn't matter — Princeton has it, and other teams had better take notice.

"This is where I've seen the mentality change in my time here. Now, late in the games, we seem to expect we're going to find a way to win, rather than let what the other team is doing dictate the outcome of the game," Terrell said. "That attitude is essential for a winning team."

You can witness that attitude yourself at Princeton Stadium this Friday at 7 p.m., when the Tigers will take on Brown in a game that will be televised on ESPNU.