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Princeton University Athletics
Players Mentioned
SportsCenter Standout Jordan Culbreath Named Ivy League Offensive Player Of The Week
October 29, 2007 | Football
Sophomore tailback Jordan Culbreath may have been a relative unknown last week, but one brilliant Friday night performance changed that in a big way. The Falls Church, Va., native ran for 145 yards, including touchdowns of 49 and 58 yards, to lead Princeton to a 34-31 comeback win over Cornell in an ESPNU showdown. His second touchdown run was featured as SportsCenter's Top Play Friday night, and his full effort has earned him Ivy League Offensive Player of the Week honors.
"I definitely think Jordan's effort is worthy of the Ivy Player of Week honor," head coach Roger Hughes said. "I'm appy he was he was able to take advantage of his opportunity to play. Nobody deserves it more. He has tremendous work ethic and he puts forth a solid effort at all times."
With typical No. 2 running back Kenny Gunter out with an injury, Culbreath excelled in the opportunity. He became Princeton's first 100-yard rusher in 16 games, since Rob Toresco gained 130 in a 30-0 win at Dartmouth in the 2005 season finale, and he gained more yards than any Princeton rusher since Jon Veach ran for 205 yards in a 2003 game at Harvard. He ran with both speed and power in the win, and his SportsCenter moment featured both. Trailing 31-27 at the time, Culbreath took an option pitch from quarterback Greg Mroz, followed clearing blocks by Rob Toresco and Adam Berry and found the left sidelines. Instead of getting boxed in, he made a brilliant cutback into the middle of the field, then found the sideline again to avoid the oncoming safety. He sprinted into the end zone for a 34-31 lead.
Earlier in the game, Princeton had gone ahead 14-7 on the first touchdown in Culbreath's career, a 49-yard sprint down the right sideline. He took an option pitch from Mroz, slipped a tackle attempt from Mark Longo, avoided another diving attempt and made his way down the side. The final would-be tackler was taken care of by another wide receiver block downfield. This time it was Brendan Circle, who drove a defender back into the end zone to allow a clear path for the sophomore runner.
Culbreath led all Ivy League players in rushing yards this week, and he became Princeton's first Ivy League Offensive Player of the Week since Jeff Terrell '06 claimed it, as well as National Player of the Week honors, in the 34-31 victory at Yale last season.