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Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
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Dartmouth
Players Mentioned
Despite Top Defensive Effort, Tigers Fall To Big Green Rally In 17-10 Loss
November 21, 2015 | Football
BOX SCORE
Head coach Bob Surace addressed his emotional, devastated squad minutes after another close loss and thanked them for the fight they brought one week after another this season, even when the results weren't going their way.
No game symbolized that — both in terms of effort and result — as Saturday's 17-10 loss at Dartmouth in the 2015 season finale. The Tiger defense pitched a first half shutout and sacked potential Ivy Offensive Player of the Year Dalyn Williams seven times, but the Big Green scored in the final minute and kept Princeton off the board for the final 23 minutes to clinch the win and a share of the Ivy League crown.
It ended a season of what-could-have-beens, which ranged from All-Ivy injuries to last-minute misses. Over their five losses, four came in games that Princeton either led in the fourth quarter or had a chance to win in the final minute.
Ultimately, though, the result was a second straight 5-5 season.
“These guys kept battling all season long, and I thanked them for that,” head coach Bob Surace said. “We need to do a better job of making winning plays at the end of games, and we'll get to work on that next week. As for our seniors, this season is not what will define them. They played through injuries, through tough results, and gave maximum effort. They are going to leave here and do amazing things in their lives.”
Eight different Tigers recorded at least a half sack in the loss, including junior Luke Catarius, who added 10 tackles, a fumble recovery and a pass breakup. Classmate Dorian Williams, who came into the weekend as the league's co-leader in tackles, had 10 in the game, though it was linebacker Nick Fekula who led all players with a career-best 12 in the game.
Senior co-captain Matt Arends, one of many who battled through injury to get one final game in Orange and Black, ended with nine tackles and a forced fumble. Henry Schlossberg had 1.5 sacks, while Brannon Jones had a sack and a fumble recovery.
That defense kept Dartmouth at bay throughout the game, especially in a first-half shutout. The Big Green scored a touchdown on its first possession of the second half to even the score at 7-7, and then on a late field goal to even it at 10-10. Dartmouth finally solved the Tiger defense for good on its final drive, going 63 yards on six plays before a 12-yard pass to Kyle Bramble put the winning points on the board.
Despite that touchdown, though, the defense continued frustrated a Dartmouth offense that averaged more than 28 points per game on the season. A defensive line that had as many as three freshmen in at the same time was able to pressure Williams, while a senior-laden secondary playing in its final game together kept the dangerous Dartmouth receivers in control.
Unfortunately, the Dartmouth defense was up for the challenge. It forced four turnovers, including one inside its own red zone right before halftime, and never allowed Princeton to build a two-possession lead. The Tigers had their moments, especially during a second-quarter drive that ended with a one-yard touchdown run by DiAndre Atwater, but there just weren't enough to open breathing room.
Junior quarterback Chad Kanoff completed 24 of 44 passes for 226 yards, while senior Seth DeValve had nine catches for 110 yards. Both Isaiah Barnes and Atwater had four catches apiece, while Atwater added the lone Tiger touchdown of the game. Junior Joe Rhattigan led the Tiger run game with 57 yards on 11 carries.
Senior Nolan Bieck gave Princeton a 10-7 lead midway through the third quarter with a 22-yard field goal, a kick that moved him past Judd Garrett for second place on the all-time Princeton scoring list. Those would be the final points of the Princeton season, though, as the Tigers' final six drives didn't produce any more points.
The Class of 2016 became the first in more than two decades to go four years without a losing season, and many were key players in Princeton's 2013 Ivy League championship.