Princeton University
Navy
Players Mentioned
Sprint Football Drops Season Opener to Navy
September 20, 2014 | Sprint Football
BOX SCORE
ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Struggling to gain traction offensively, the Princeton University sprint football team dropped its 2014 season opener to the United States Naval Academy, 63-0.
Rolling up 288 yards of total offense in the first half, including 204 on the ground, the Midshipmen turned a pair of early interceptions and a fumble recovery into three touchdowns en route to a lopsided victory.
Jumping a Chad Cowden pass to the near sideline, Brady Flies returned the game's first turnover to the Princeton 2-yardline to set up the Navy offense. Two plays later, Joe Hampton found Domini Chumich open in the flat for the Midshipmen's first points of the season just 1:05 after the opening kickoff.
Forcing Princeton into a three-and-out on its next drive, Navy took over on the Tigers' 35-yardline. After a 10-yard completion to Corey Garcia, the Midshipmen turned to Eric Wellmon, who took it the final 25 yards on two plays to put Navy ahead 13-0.
Once again forced to punt on its ensuing drive, Princeton showed some life as Alex Momenee recovered a Kendall Mackey fumble caused by A.J. Sibley. The Navy defense stiffened however, ultimately turning Princeton over on downs to hand the ball back to the offense.
Facing a 2nd-and-4 from the Princeton 24-yardline, Wellmon picked his way along the right sideline before finding pay dirt. Taking it up the left side on the Midshipmen's next drive following another Princeton three-and-out, Wellmon scampered 22 more yards for the score to make it 27-0.
Closing out the first quarter with a 34-0 margin, Navy tacked on 29 more points in the second before the game was called at the half. Wellmon led the rushing attack with 87 yards on eight carries (10.9 ypc) and three touchdowns. Dane Kozlosky gained 53 yards on five touches (10.6 ypc), while Colby Lederer finished with 50 yards and two touchdowns. Navy quarterback Joe Hampton was 4-of-4 for 83 yards and three touchdowns, which included a 49-yard TD strike to Matthew Hite late in the first quarter.
Cowden completed seven of his 24 attempts for 40 yards, with senior tri-captain Chris McCord pulling down three catches for 19 yards. Ahmed Musse had one reception for 11 yards, while Emanuel Castaneda and Mulay Sarbanes hauled in a pair of passes for 14 yards.
The Tigers will host Post University in their home opener at Princeton Stadium on Friday, Sept. 26.