.png&width=24&type=webp)
Princeton University Athletics
On Your Marks
October 02, 2002 | Football
Oct. 2, 2002
Seven games in eight weeks will go a long way in determining how the 2002 Princeton football team is remembered. There are no Division I-AA playoffs; there is no national title chase. There is one pot of gold at the rainbow's end, the Ivy League championship. That chase begins Saturday at 1:30 p.m. when the Princeton Tigers battle the Columbia Lions.
Columbia Notes in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
Game Notes
First Impression - Princeton has won its Ivy League opener in each of Roger Hughes' two previous seasons at the helm. The Tigers defeated Columbia both times, including a 44-11 victory at home last season.
You Always Remember The First Time - Roger Hughes' first win as a head coach came in a 27-24 overtime victory against Columbia two seasons ago.
In Case You Forgot - The overtime victory in 2000 occurred after Princeton scored 10 points in the final 2:25 of regulation. A Taylor Northrop 37-yard field goal, a successful onsides kick and a Kyle Brandt seven-yard touchdown run sent the game to overtime. Northrop won it with a 24-yard field goal, giving Princeton its first and only overtime win under the new rules.
The Sequel - Princeton and Columbia met in a scrimmage on Sept. 7 at Princeton Stadium. Both teams' starting defenses were impressive, as the only first-half score was on a 66-yard quarterback keeper by Matt Verbit. Columbia would end up winning the game 15-14 with two scores late in the fourth quarter. Split-ting Headache - David Splithoff had one of his finest performances against Columbia last season, passing for two touchdowns while running for two others. He completed 11 of 19 passes, rushed 10 times and accounted for 255 total yards.
Streaking - Princeton has won four straight games over Columbia and six of seven. The Lions are one of two Ivy teams that Roger Hughes is 2-0 against (Yale is the other).
That Winning Feeling - Princeton won its first game of the season last weekend against Lafayette. The Tigers jumped out to a 24-0 lead and scored 10 points in the fourth quarter in a 34-19 win.
Twice As Nice - Junior defensive back Brandon Mueller intercepted a pair of passes in the win against Lafayette. He became the first Tiger to record two picks in one game since teammate Paul Simbi did it against Harvard two seasons ago.
Hot Tip - Besides recording the two interceptions, Mueller assisted Princeton in a third, and arguably most important, defensive stop. On a safety blitz, Mueller tipped a pass by Lafayette's Marko Glavic that was intercepted by linebacker Zak Keasey. The play ended a potential game-tying drive by the Leopards.
Getting Defensive - Zak Keasey, Princeton's leading tackler last season, made 13 tackles in the victory over Lafayette. He leads the team with 17 tackles this season.
Three-peat - Running back Cameron Atkinson rushed for three touchdowns against Lafayette. He became the first Princeton player to run for three scores in one game since David Splithoff did it against Harvard two seasons ago.
One For The Thumb - Cameron Atkinson earned his fifth 100-yard rushing game against Lafayette, running for 121 yards on 21 carries. Atkinson moved to 12th on the all-time rushing list with his performance (see page three for more details).
Four Score - Junior David Splithoff has completed at least one touchdown pass in four consecutive starts. The last quarterback to do that was Harry Nakielny, who did it during the 1997 season.
I'm Honored - Freshman kicker Derek Javarone earned the Ivy League Rookie of the Week award after kicking field goals of 32 and 39 yards and converting on all four extra-point attempts.
Sign Of Peace - Sophomore Tyler Peace caught his first career touchdown to open the scoring against Lafayette Saturday night. Peace and sophomore Randy Bly are replacing returning starter Mike Chiusano, who was lost for the season after breaking his collarbone in the preseason.
Pick Of The Litter - Sophomore Jay McCareins became the fourth Princeton defender this season to record an interception, picking off Marko Glavic's final pass of the Lafayette game.
Better To Receive Than Give - Princeton is first in the Ivy League in turnover ratio (+3). Columbia is tied for last (-4).
Driving Them Crazy - Princeton has recorded four scoring drives of at least 10 plays this season, and three other scoring drives of at least eight plays.
Five Alive - Princeton receiver Chisom Opara is the fifth player in team history to catch more than 100 passes in a career. He caught eight passes against Lehigh and enters today's contest with 109 receptions.
Out Of The Gates - Princeton has outscored its opposition 21-0 in the first quarter and 48-13 in the first half.
Line 'Em Up - Princeton's offensive line has yet to yield a sack this season. It has also helped the Tigers average 55.5 more rushing yards per game than their opponents.
You're The (Szy)Man(ski) - Sophomore wideout B.J. Szymanski caught a team-high seven passes for 111 yards against Lehigh. He scored the team's first points of the season by leaping for an 11-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback David Splithoff.
More Man - B.J. Szymanski has earned more than 100 receiving yards in two of his last four games, and he has combined for three touchdowns in those games. He has receptions of 39, 53 and 66 yards, the last coming against Lehigh in the season opener.
Rallying Cry - Princeton nearly earned an upset victory over then-No. 3 Lehigh in the Tigers' season opener, but the Mountain Hawks scored 24 unanswered points in the final quarter to pull out a 31-24 win.
Poll Position - Princeton was ranked second in the preseason Ivy League poll. Columbia was picked to finish eighth.
The Crystal Ball - Princeton will open a three-game homestand next Saturday against Colgate. Kickoff is scheduled at 1 p.m. The game can be heard on WBUD AM 1260 or on the Princeton athletics Web site at www.GoPrincetonTigers.com. It will also be televised locally on RCN.
Last Year
Princeton 44, Columbia 11
Princeton, N.J. - David Splithoff completed 11 of 19 passes for 204 yards and two touchdowns as Princeton topped Columbia 44-11.
Splithoff averaged nearly 20 yards per completion against the Lions, including a 78-yard touchdown pass to Chisom Opara that is the longest play in Princeton Stadium's five-year history. Splithoff also threw a 31-yard touchdown pass to Brendan Dillon during a 10-minute stretch of the third quarter that saw the Tigers break the game wide open.
Splithoff ran for a pair of touchdowns to make it 14-3 before Taylor Northrop kicked a 22-yard field goal on the final play of the first half to make it 17-3 at intermission. Princeton then took the second half kickoff and drove 69 yards for another Northrop field goal. Columbia's next possession ended with a punt to the Princeton 22, and Splithoff found Opara deep down the middle for a 78-yard score.
Columbia, suddenly down 27-3, went for it on a fourth-and-one on its own 34 on the next drive and fell short. After a three-yard run on first down, Splithoff drilled one in the back of the end zone for Dillon's touchdown and the rout was on.
Princeton held Columbia All-America Johnathan Reese to 66 yards on 19 carries.
Last Week
Princeton 34, Lafayette 19
PRINCETON, N.J. - The Princeton football team was determined not to allow lightning to strike twice. One week after falling victim to a late rally, the Tigers foiled Lafayette's second-half run and put away a 34-19 victory with a pair of fourth-quarter scores.
Princeton jumped out to a 24-0 lead in the first half. Following the first career touchdown reception by Tyler Peace and a Derek Javarone field goal, running back Cameron Atkinson rushed for a pair of touchdowns.
Lafayette began to rally with a score before halftime and eventually cut the deficit to 24-19 before Derek Javarone converted on a 39-yard field goal. A Zak Keasey interception set up Princeton's final scoring drive, which ended on the third touchdown run of the day by Atkinson. The Princeton defense wouldn't allow another rally, as Lafayette's final two drives ended on interceptions by Brandon Mueller and Jay McCareeins, respectively.
Colgate 38, Columbia 6
HAMILTON, N.Y. - Columbia turned the ball over six times and had a punt blocked as Colgate maintained its home dominance of Columbia with a 38-6 win.
Columbia's problems started early. After allowing Colgate to kick a short field goal on its first drive, the Lions were held without a first down on their opening drive. Nick Rudd's punt was blocked and recovered in the end zone by Colgate Antwone Porter for a touchdown.
Derek Smith fumbled on Columbia's ensuing possession, and the Raiders capitalized with an eight-play touchdown drive. Colgate added another score to take a 24-0 lead into the half.
Jeff Otis threw the Lions' only touchdown pass, a 27-yard strike to Travis Chmelka.
Columbia was outrushed 283-18 in the loss. Otis, who made his first varsity appearance, was 10 for 12 for 120 yards and one interception. Chris Carey led the defense with 14 tackles.