With first-year head coach Bob Surace ’90 having just completed an intense, fitness-focused training camp for players both returning and new, many are waiting with anticipation to see the debut of what will surely be a markedly different football team from those of years past. Though Princeton was tagged to finish only sixth in the Ivy League in this year’s preseason media poll, there’s no telling what surprises and unexpected achievements Surace’s fresh approach might bring to the program. What is certain, however, is that if the Tigers hope to improve upon last season’s 4-6 record and have a shot at finishing in the top half of the Ivy League, they’ll have to do so by defeating a series of tough opponents — many of whom are looking sharper and more adept than ever.
Lehigh
Princeton will open its campaign on the road in Bethlehem, Penn., taking on Lehigh in the first of three non-conference games scheduled for this season. The Tigers defeated the Mountain Hawks by close margins in two of their last three matchups, and this year’s game will likely be just as competitive as the previous ones have been.
After starting its season with a strong 28-14 road victory over Drake, during which quarterback Chris Lum completed 23 passes for 288 yards, Lehigh was shut out by defending national champion Villanova in its home opener. The 35-0 loss to the Wildcats revealed the instability of the Mountain Hawks’ offense when under pressure, as Villanova allowed Lehigh only 29 rushing yards — a stark contrast to the 132 yards the Mountain Hawks notched against Drake. If the Tigers can prevent Lum and the Lehigh offense from finding any kind of rhythm, they should find themselves in prime position to rack up points and come away with a victory.
Lafayette
The Tigers open at Princeton Stadium against Lafayette, a team that Princeton has not faced since 2007, when it fought its way to a 20-14 victory. However, just as the Tigers are a completely different squad than they were three years ago, so, too, are the Leopards.
In its season opener against Georgetown, Lafayette displayed its tremendous, albeit inconsistent, offensive power. The Leopards racked up 509 offensive yards to the Hoyas’ 265 but faltered in red-zone possessions, converting only four of seven. Still, even after four turnovers and a number of missed opportunities, Lafayette played gritty football until the final whistle and nearly completed a last-second, 60-yard drive that could have sealed a victory for the Pennsylvania team. The Leopards’ temerity will make the game a mentally challenging one for the Tigers, who will need to stay focused and concentrated in order to take advantage of the offensive mistakes that Lafayette will surely surrender.
Columbia
Last season’s game against Columbia was one of the lowest points of the year for the Tigers. The 38-0 loss was the worst defeat Princeton has ever suffered at the hands of the Lions, and it was perhaps one of the most shocking outcomes of the 2009–10 season overall. Returning players likely have this game circled on their calendars and will be looking to get back on the right side of what has historically been a lopsided rivalry in the Tigers’ favor. If Princeton can avoid the kind of costly errors that plagued them last year, there is no reason that the squad should not be able to roll to a victory. A loss in this Ivy League opener, however, would not bode very well for the Tigers’ chances in the remaining conference games.
Colgate
Princeton’s double-overtime loss to Colgate was one of the most exciting games of last season, providing a rare glimpse of the vast potential that the Tigers possessed. This year, the Raiders have struggled in their first two games, barely eking out a 30-29 victory in their home opener against Monmouth before falling to Furman by a 45-15 margin.
Taking advantage of Colgate’s inconsistency will be one of the keys to a Princeton victory. In the first few games of the season, the Raiders have managed 17 completions in 28 attempts, with 11 of those completions coming in Colgate’s narrow victory over Monmouth. If the Tigers can pressure the Raiders into making some offensive mistakes, then scoring situations will certainly be created.
Brown
Princeton last beat Brown in 2006, the same year that the Tigers beat Harvard and Yale and shared the Ivy League title with the Rhode Island school. After that miraculous season, though, the Bears have consistently defeated Princeton by wide margins. In last year’s game, which ended in a 34-17 loss for Princeton, Brown played high-octane football, notching 457 offensive yards to the Tigers’ 244. The Bears allowed Princeton an average of only 6.9 yards per completion during that game; if the Tigers aren’t able to drastically improve upon that performance, they won’t be able to make the matchup competitive.
Harvard
Like the matchup against Columbia did for that rivalry, Princeton’s game against Harvard last season set a record for the worst loss ever suffered by the Tigers to their Boston peers. The 37-3 defeat made plain how overmatched Princeton was and highlighted the severe deficiencies in the Tigers’ offense.
It is difficult to imagine that Princeton will be able to completely turn the tables on the Crimson after only a few months under Surace’s leadership, but the head coach’s emphasis on fitness and intelligent playmaking ought to make the game a much closer one than last year’s.
Harvard will be led by defensive back and captain Collin Zych. Zych, who has been named to three preseason All-America teams and has been invited to the Football Championship Subdivision Senior Scout Bowl, will put tremendous pressure on the Tigers’ offense and will look to once again make it difficult for Princeton to put too many points on the board.
Cornell
Last year’s game against Cornell contained one of the best moments of the season in junior quarterback Tommy Wornham’s 78-yard touchdown pass to senior receiver Trey Peacock. Princeton’s 17-14 victory against the Big Red was one of the most technically sound games that the Tigers played last year, and a repeat performance this season is not out of the question — especially since Cornell lost many of its key players to graduation. Princeton has not lost to the Big Red since 2006, and a victory would be a watershed moment for Surace’s new coaching staff.
Penn
The matchup against Penn will likely be one of the most difficult and challenging games that the Tigers will have this season. After last year’s staggeringly lopsided 42-7 defeat, expectations for a Princeton victory are low. A close, hard-fought game with the Quakers, who topped the Ivy League last year and who were the only Ivy team ranked in The Sports Network’s Top 25 preseason poll earlier this summer, would be a good result for the Tigers here.
Penn will likely look to quarterback Keiffer Garton, who is entering his final collegiate year, to take charge and lead the team. Though Garton was sidelined for five games last season due to injury, he managed to accrue 400 passing yards while completing 43 of 64 passes. Running back Bradford Blackmon will also play a big part in the Quakers’ offensive plans after coming in third on the squad in receptions last year.
Yale
The Tigers turned in a solid, energetic game against Yale last season and came away with a 24-17 victory. If nothing else, there is little question that Surace, having himself played in multiple Yale games throughout his college career, will take seriously the mission of inspiring his team to give every last ounce of energy in pursuit of a victory. As history has shown, the Princeton-Yale game is less about football and more about grit, perseverance and desire, and the Tigers should have that in spades.
At the helm of the Yale squad will likely be quarterback Patrick Witt, who transferred from Nebraska last year and had an up-and-down season. Look for Witt to be more relaxed and comfortable than he was the last time Princeton and Yale battled, when he threw three interceptions and was sacked once.
Dartmouth
As in previous years, the Tigers will aim to end the season with a comfortable victory against Dartmouth, a team that Princeton has not lost to since 2003. The Tigers should be able to play on their own terms when they face the Big Green, as it is unlikely that Dartmouth will be able to impose itself upon Princeton, either offensively or defensively, in any kind of serious way. A loss to Dartmouth would be somewhat shocking, and the odds of such an occurrence are rather slim.
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