Princeton University Athletics
Players Mentioned
Princeton Sprint Football Set to Open Season at Navy on Sept. 19
September 17, 2014 | Sprint Football
| Gametime |
Friday, Sept. 19, 7 p.m. |
| Facility | Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium |
| @putigers_live l @PUTigers l @NavyAthletics | |
| Rosters | Princeton l Navy |
| Statistics (2013) |
Princeton l Navy |
| Last Meeting | Sept. 12, 2012 - Navy 62, Princeton 13 (Box/Recap) |
| Live Coverage |
Live Stream l Live Stats |
New Year, New Regime
Sean Morey begins his first season on the Princeton sideline, looking to turn around a program in search of its first win since the 2005 season (Oct. 29 – VMI, 19-7). A former standout at Brown, Morey was drafted in the seventh round of the 1999 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. After stints with NFL Europe's Barcelona Dragons and the Philadelphia Eagles, Morey signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he was named the special teams captain in 2005 and became the first Brown alumnus to win a Super Bowl. Signing with the Arizona Cardinals in 2007, he made a Pro Bowl appearance and earned another trip to the Super Bowl.
Familiar Faces
Joining Morey's coaching staff are John Dowgin and Princeton alum John Wolfe. The 2014 season will mark Dowgin's third stint with the Tigers, having previously served as an assistant coach under Tom Murray from 1991-97 and Keith Wadsworth and Bill Hickey from 2000-05. Dowgin was on the sideline to help guide the team to its last victory in 2005 (VMI, 19-7). A second-team All-CSFL selection in his senior season, Wolfe led the team in all-purpose yards (717/119.5 ypg) in 2013, while ranking second in receiving with 30 receptions for 414 yards (69.0 ypg/13.8 ypc). Rounding out the coaching staff in 2014 are John Angelucci, Todd Ferguson, Ben Foulon and John Simar.
Senior Leadership
Bob Dougherty, Kyle Douglas and Chris McCord will serve as the team's tri-captains this season. A first-team all-league selection, McCord was the squad's leading receiver last season, while Dougherty and Douglas picked up second-team and honorable mention honors, respectively. Ranked second on the squad in total offense (331 yards/66.2 ypg), Dougherty was also fourth on the Tigers in tackles (21.5), including 20 of the solo variety. Douglas was Princeton's second-leading tackler last season (25.0/20 solo) with three tackles for a loss and a team-high two fumble recoveries.
Welcome Back
Also back in the mix for Princeton this season are honorable mention All-CSFL performers Kahdeem Cohens and Richard Freling. Cohens ranked third on the team in receiving last season with 251 yards (41.8 ypg/22.8 ypc) and three touchdowns. On the defensive side of the ball, Cohens made 19 tackles (18 solo), blocking two kicks while breaking up a pair of passes. Freling was third on the team in tackles with 24.5 (21 solo).
Pass Happy
The return of Chad Cowden and Chris McCord should help bolster the Tigers' passing attack. Last season, Cowden was fourth in the CSFL in passing yardage (1,016). His 195 attempts and eight touchdowns each ranked third on the program's single-season charts, while his 81 completions sit fourth. Leading the conference in receiving yards (500) in 2013, McCord is just the third player in Princeton sprint history to gain at least 500 yards receiving in a single-season. His 35 receptions from a year ago are tied for second on the Tigers' all-time list.
Scouting Navy
Finishing second in the CSFL last season with a 6-1 record, Navy put four players on the all-conference first team and 10 on the second team. The Midshipmen ranked fourth in the league in total offense (328.8 ypg) and second in team defense (216.8 ypg).
Returning to the Navy ground game are second-team selections Michael Granthom, Corey Garcia and Eric Wellmon. Behind Granthom and the offensive line, Wellmon and Garcia ranked fourth (479 yards/6.3 ypc) and fifth (447 yards/4.5 ypc) in the CSFL in rushing, respectively, combining for nine touchdowns.
Defensively, the Midshipmen return first teamer Christopher Mershon and second-team picks Jon Moyle and Ben Pope to the defensive line with second-team linebacker Temple Sloan also back in the fold. Mershon was second on the team in stops (35.0/25 solo) with a team-best 15.5 tackles for a loss and 8.5 sacks. Sloan and Moyle each recorded 29 tackles while combining for 6.5 sacks and 18.5 tackles for a loss.