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Princeton University
Davidson
Players Mentioned
Fireworks Early, Fireworks Late; Tigers Erupt For 56-17 Win In Home Opener
September 27, 2014 | Football
BOX SCORE l POSTGAME INTERVIEWS
Everybody who came to Princeton Stadium Saturday night knew their evening would end with fireworks. Dré Nelson made sure it began with fireworks as well.
Nelson settled under the opening kickoff, looking to ignite a Princeton football team seeking its first victorious home opener since 2010. Fourteen seconds — and 89 spectacular yards — later, the Tigers were well on their way to a dominant 56-17 win over Davidson to highlight Community & Staff Day at Princeton.
Senior quarterback Quinn Epperly, the reigning Ivy League Player of the Year, rushed for four touchdowns and paced an offense that scored on nine of 11 drives (not including one when Princeton took a knee before the half). While the offense gained 478 yards of total offense, the defense held Davidson to only 67 yards rushing and a 7-for-19 conversion rate on third downs.
But it was that first special teams play that set the tone. Nelson, who would also score on a 23-yard run late in a 39-point first half, took the kickoff around the right hashmark, followed a convoy of blockers and used his All-Ivy speed — check his track bio — to sprint for the game's opening score. It was one of seven touchdowns for Princeton on the day.
Epperly rushed for scores of 1, 4, 6 and 10 yards, and he completed 15-of-18 passes for 176 yards, including an impressive 49-yard catch by tight end Scott Carpenter during the third quarter. Senior Connor Kelley had six catches for 72 yards, but eight different players caught at least one pass from Epperly or Connor Michelsen (5 of 8, 69 yards).
Epperly had a career-best 118 yards rushing — it was actually the first 100-yard rushing day of his record-setting career — while DiAndre Atwater added six rushes for 41 yards. Nelson, who now has four touchdowns in Princeton's last two home games, including the 59-23 Ivy-clinching win last season, rushed for 28 yards on two carries. Senior Will Powers, one of the most reliable special teams players in the league, added a nine-yard touchdown.
Defensively, sophomore inside linebacker Rohan Hylton had a career-high 11 tackles, including 1.5 for losses, while junior cornerback Anthony Gaffney added eight tackles and two pass breakups. Senior Mike Zeuli continued to be a menace in opposing backfields, as he recorded two tackles for loss and one sack. Senior Ian McGeary, one of the upperclassmen stepping up after the graduation departures of the Tigers' 2013 defensive line, added three tackles and a sack.
Princeton took total control of the game during a 10-minute stretch midway through the first quarter into the second quarter. After Davidson answered Nelson's kickoff with a field goal, Princeton went right back down the field in five plays and scored on a four-yard run by Epperly. The defense forced a 3-and-out, and following a long punt return by Max Lescano, Princeton answered with another quick touchdown.
A fumble recovery by Ty Desiré, Princeton's first takeaway of the season, set up a 33-yard touchdown drive that opened a 26-point lead for the Tigers.
Princeton will begin its quest for a second straight Ivy League championship next Saturday at 12:30 when it travels to Wien Stadium in New York City to take on the Columbia Lions. Princeton has won three straight in the series, including a 53-7 home win last season. The game can be seen live on the Ivy League Digital Network, and you can also listen to it one WPRB 103.3 FM.