.png&width=24&type=webp)
Princeton University Athletics
Players Mentioned
Football Readies For 2008 Home Opener Under The Lights Against Lehigh
September 23, 2008 | Football
By 6:07 this Saturday night, when the first kickoff of the evening is sent into the air, every Ivy League team will have played at least one game at home. And since every other school started, well, a long time ago, you can probably assume nobody opened the season with a month-long road trip.
Thus, the oldest program in college football is also likely to play the final home opener of the 2008 football season, and it will come when the Tigers take on Patriot League rival Lehigh (WPRB 103.3 FM, GoPrincetonTigers.com, Fox Sports Pittsburgh, DirecTV 659).
Plenty has changed since the last time Princeton fans saw the Tigers take Powers Field at Princeton Stadium in November of 2007. New seniors, including one starting at quarterback, have brought a new dedication and energy to the program. It started last spring and continued into fall camp, when the team seemed very hungry to wipe away any lingering bad taste from last season.
When the Tigers finally got the chance to open the season, they did it in Charleston, S.C., against the No. 22 Citadel Bulldogs. Princeton didn't show any early nerves against a team that had already played twice, including once against Clemson. The Tigers recorded a defensive sack on their first play, a score on their first offensive drive and a lead during their first halftime. Unfortunately, the experience of The Citadel, as well as a potential NFL wideout named Andre Roberts, posted too many second-half issues for the Tigers, who eventually fell 37-24. There were positives and negatives to be taken from the game, and coaches often say you see the biggest improvements from Week 1 to Week 2.
Which brings us to Saturday night ? Week 2. If you think the three non-league games don't mean anything in the overall chase for the Ivy League title, just look at the last two Lehigh games: In 2006, Princeton rallied from a 10-0 deficit by scoring two touchdowns and making several key defensive stops in a 14-10 win. The rest of the season, which resulted in an Ivy title, was highlighted by comeback wins and defensive stands. Last season, Princeton turned it over five times and lost 32-21, a theme that would too often cost the Tigers during a 4-6 season.
So while it's true that tonight's outcome won't be listed in the final Ivy League standings, you can rest assured that the tone of tonight's contest is likely to be repeated.
Plus, when you only play 10 games, they all matter.
Game Notes ? Week 2
Out Of The Gates ? In the 10 years at Princeton Stadium, the Tigers have won their home opener six times. In those six years, Princeton has gone 35-24. In the other four years, Princeton has gone 12-28.
Just A Second ? Princeton hasn't lost the first two games of its season since 2003. The Tigers have won the second game of the season in six of the last seven years.
Eight Is Enough ? Princeton has lost eight of its last nine games to Lehigh, including a turnover-plagued 32-21 loss in the 2007 home opener. The last three times Princeton has defeated Lehigh (1992, 1993, 2006), the Tigers have gone on to win 8, 8 and 9 games, respectively.
The Old And The New ? Last week, Princeton played The Citadel, led by former Lehigh head coach Kevin Higgins. The Citadel, currently ranked 13th nationally, defeated Princeton 37-24.
First Impression ? In the 2006 season opener, Princeton rallied from a 10-0 deficit and won 14-10; that season, the Tigers won nine games and rallied in the fourth quarter in four of them. Last season, Princeton turned the ball over five times in a 32-21 loss; Princeton went 4-6 last season and ranked 92nd nationally in turnover margin.
Lighten Up ? Princeton is 6-5 all-time under the lights at Princeton Stadium, but it has won four of its last five games. The only loss during that stretch was the season opener to Lehigh in 2007.
Bye Bye ? Princeton is playing its second straight game against an opponent coming off a bye week.
Poll Position ? Princeton was picked to finish fifth in the preseason Ivy League media poll. In the last four years, Princeton has either matched (once) or exceeded (three times) its predicted spot in the final Ivy League standings.
Bouncing Back ? Princeton will look to improve on its 2007 season, when the team went 4-6. The Tigers have not had consecutive losing seasons since the first two years of the Roger Hughes Era (3-7 in 2000, 4-6 in 2001).
Ay Ay, Captains ? For only the second time in program history, Princeton will have three captains this season. Senior quarterback Brian Anderson, senior wide receiver Adam Berry and senior defensive lineman Matt Koch were named tri-captains prior to the Princeton Spring Game in April. The only other time Princeton had three captains was 1999 (Hamin Abdullah, David Ferrara and Chuck Hastings).
Working Overtime ? Princeton has won five straight overtime contests, including the 2007 season finale at Dartmouth, which was the first start in Brian Anderson's career.
Return To Sender ? Princeton returns 14 starters from its 2007 team, including All-Ivy defensive linemen Matt Koch and Pete Buchignani and first-team All-Ivy punter Ryan Coyle. Princeton has four returning starters from the 2006 Ivy League championship team: junior offensive linemen Mark Paski and J.P. Makrai and senior defensive linemen Buchignani and Tom Methvin.
A Hughes Success ? Head coach Roger Hughes, the only coach in Ivy League history to engineer three straight seasons with at least a two-win improvement, is the fifth-winningest coach in Princeton history. Hughes has been an Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year finalist and led Princeton to the 2006 Ivy League title and its first nine-win season since 1964. His staff consists of four coaches who have been at Princeton throughout all nine years of Hughes' tenure and three more who have been here for at least five years.
Offensive Notes ? Week 2
Brian's Song ? In only his second start, Brian Anderson threw for 206 yards and two scores in last weekend's loss at The Citadel. He added 56 yards rushing, which would have been significantly more if not for lost yardage on sacks.
Streaking ? Brian Anderson opened last year's Dartmouth game by completing his first 11 passes. He also suffered a broken thumb in the game, but never came out of the game.
Starting Lineup ? From the middle of the 2002 season until the end of the 2006 season, Princeton started two quarterbacks, Matt Verbit '05 and Jeff Terrell '07. Last season, the Tigers started three different quarterbacks, including current starter Brian Anderson.
Trey Bien ? Sophomore wideout Trey Peacock caught six passes last season. In the season opener, he led Princeton with seven catches.
The Jordan Rules ? Junior running back Jordan Culbreath ran for 74 yards and a touchdown in his first start last weekend. He lost yardage on only one of his 17 carries, and he added three catches for 16 yards.
Welcome Matt ? Sophomore fullback Matt Zimmerman made his first start last weekend and caught four passes, including one for a six-yard touchdown. He also helped the run game by serving as the lead blocker for both Brian Anderson and Jordan Culbreath.
Berry Good ? Senior tri-captain Adam Berry, who caught three passes for 56 yards and a fourth-quarter touchdown against The Citadel, has four career touchdowns. Two of them have come against Lehigh.
Line ?Em Up ? The offensive line, which has been considered a position of inexperience for the last two seasons, will be one of the strong areas for Princeton in 2008. Juniors Mark Paski and J.P. Makrai are in their third season as starters, while Andrew Hauser, Marc Daou and Matt Reynolds have all started at least one game in their careers.
Defensive Notes ? Week 2
Tackling The Issue ? Sophomore inside linebacker Steven Cody led the defense with 11 tackles in his first collegiate start last weekend. Five of his stops were solo tackles. Cody was named the Dining Services Player of the Game against The Citadel by the WPRB 103.3 FM radio team.
Sack Exchange ? Senior linebacker Collin McCarthy, building off a pair of 14-tackle games last season, recorded a sack on Princeton's first defensive play of the season.
On The Line ? Princeton's senior trio of Pete Buchignani, Tom Methvin and Matt Koch have been regulars on the defense since the start of 2006. Buchignani is a two-time All-Ivy selection, while Koch, a tri-captain, earned All-Ivy honors last season.
Dan The Man ? Junior Dan Kopolovich has been a starting cornerback since his freshman season. This year, he holds another role; the former all-state signal-caller is the No. 2 quarterback at Princeton.
Take It Outside ? Starting outside linebackers John Callahan and Collin McCarthy are the most experienced members of the linebacking corps. They combined for 116 tackles last season, including 17 for loss, and both had at least two sacks.
Great Britton ? Junior Scott Britton, a local product from Council Rock North, is in his first season as the starting middle linebacker. In the middle of a promising freshman year, he suffered a season-ending injury; he returned last year to record 26 tackles in reserve duty.
Kelly Green ? Starting cornerback Cart Kelly was featured in the ESPNU reality show “Summer House” in 2006. Six Division I recruits were in the house, which was run by former NFL All-Pro Chris Spielman.
Miscellaneous Notes ? Week 2
Just For Kicks ? Senior punter Ryan Coyle is Princeton's only returning first-team All-Ivy selection. He led the league and ranked sixth nationally last season with a punting average of 43.1 yards per punt. Princeton has had either the first- or second-team All-Ivy punter five straight years.
Louden Clear ? Senior Connor Louden is a perfect 52 for 52 on PAT attempts in his career. The all-time Princeton record is 59, set by Robert Goodwin from 1985-1987. Louden has also made 10 of his last 12 field goals over the last two seasons.
Happy Anniversary ? Princeton is celebrating its 10th year at Princeton Stadium, one of the newest and finest facilities in the Division I FCS. Powers Field, a FieldTurf surface, was added in 2005 after a generous gift from alumnus William Powers '79.
What's The Frequency ? The longtime voice of Tiger athletics, Ed Benkin returns as the play-by-play voice of Princeton football. Dan Loney, who has handled football and basketball radio duties at Princeton recently, returns as the color commentator.
TV Watch ? Princeton will have two nationally-televised games in November. The 100th meeting between Penn and Princeton will be seen live on ESPNU (DirecTV 609) Friday night, Nov. 7, while the 131st meeting between Princeton and Yale will be shown on the Versus Network
(DirecTV 608) Saturday, Nov. 15, at noon.
The Crystal Ball ? Princeton will travel to Columbia next weekend to open the 2008 Ivy League season. The Tigers have won four straight against the Lions, including a 42-32 shootout last season. If you can't get to Wien Stadium, you can listen live on GoPrincetonTigers.com. Princeton's next home game will be at 1 p.m. on Oct. 18 against Ivy League rival Brown.
Last Season, Lehigh 32, Princeton 21
PRINCETON, N.J. - Prior to the 2007 season opener, Princeton head coach Roger Hughes said that his team would need to be fundamentally sound to have a chance against a talented Lehigh squad. He said that turnovers and special teams could both play major roles in the outcome. Unfortunately, he was right. Five Princeton first-half turnovers, a blocked punt for a safety and miserable field position plagued the Tigers in a 32-21 loss to Lehigh on Powers Field at Princeton Stadium.
“Lehigh did a good job, and I'm not taking anything away from them,” Hughes said, “but you can't come out and turn the ball over five times in the first half. I told the guys to look around the locker room, because we aren't picking anybody up on the waiver wire. We need to improve, and we're going to work this week to get it done.”
The Tigers were outgained by only three total yards, but turnovers did them in. Senior quarterback Bill Foran, making his first start at the position, completed 7 of 23 passes for 156 yards and two touchdowns, but he had two interceptions as well. Junior R.C. Lagomarsino fumbled on the first play from scrimmage, and two more special teams fumbles kept the Princeton offense off the field.
The Princeton defense, led by a strong 17-tackle effort from Tim Boardman, held Lehigh out as long as possible, but the field position was too much to overcome. Lehigh's average field position was the Princeton 48-yard-line, and it had more than 39 minutes time of possession. Doori Song and Joe Cerreta both had eight tackles apiece, and Cerreta added his first career interception. Scott Britton made four tackles and recovered a fumble, while fellow sophomore Dan Kopolovich added three pass breakups.
After trailing 25-0, Princeton was able to get within 11 points following Foran touchdown passes to Rob Toresco and Adam Berry. Reserve quarterback Greg Mroz came in and hit Will Thanheiser on a 21-yard touchdown pass, but that followed a 7:28 scoring drive by Lehigh that ended with a 2-yard run by Jaren Walker.
Lehigh scored three first-half touchdowns on plays all within the three-yard-line.