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Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
Lafayette
Players Mentioned
Opening Drought Ends In Dominant Fashion, As Football Routs Lafayette 40-7
September 19, 2015 | Football
Princeton waited longer than any college team in Division I to begin its football season. The wait, however, was worth it.
An eight-year season-opening drought ended in stunning fashion Saturday evening, as Princeton rolled off 573 total yards and held Lafayette off the scoreboard until the win was sealed in a dominant 40-7 victory at Fisher Stadium.
Princeton rushed for 308 yards, its most in a span of 18 games, and outgained Lafayette 573-278 to open its 2015 season in grand fashion. After a scoreless first 15 minutes, the Tigers rolled off 23 second-quarter points to assume full control of the game. Junior quarterback Chad Kanoff, in his first collegiate start, completed 20 of 31 passes for 256 yards and a touchdown, while three different rushers gained at least 60 yards in the game.
"We just played hard," head coach Bob Surace after reaching the 1-0 mark for the first time in his Princeton career. "I told the guys that we would watch film tomorrow, so let's see a great effort, every play, all 11 guys. We came out and did it. Marvin Lewis used to always say in Cincinnati to 'take their breath away.' It's a great feeling that we did that."
Senior Dré Nelson had a career-best 116 rushing yards in the win, and he scored a 23-yard touchdown that came complete with the Braxton Miller-type spin move that thrilled the nation already this fall. He also had a 37-yard run to set up a touchdown early in the third quarter that cemented the momentum in Princeton's corner.
It didn't click immediately for the Princeton offense, but their defensive teammates made sure that no damage came of it. The swarming Tiger defense held Lafayette to 5-of-14 on third down conversions and held it to a total of 58 rushing yards in the entire game. Junior R.J. Paige had a team-best seven tackles, while sophomore lineman Kurt Holuba added six stops and his first sack of the season.
You'll have to forgive Holuba if it isn't the sack he remembers most from the victory, though.
After the first of two field goals by Nolan Bieck opened a 16-0 lead with less than three minutes to go before half, the Princeton defense stifled Lafayette and forced a punt. Passes to DiAndre Atwater (145 total yards on 18 touches) and Trevor Osborne (caught the first touchdown of the game) moved the ball into Lafayette territory. A holding call moved Princeton back, but senior Isaiah Barnes turned a short pass into a 21-yard gain when he spun out of a tackle and drove a defender to the 1-yard-line.
Sophomore John Lovett moved under center and rolled out, where he had a bevy of offensive teammates battling for position in the end zone.
And he had one defensive teammate who snuck away from everybody. Lovett, on his first collegiate pass attempt, connected with Holuba for the one-yard score that gave Princeton a 23-0 lead before the half.
The rest of the defensive effort, which had a shutout going until a late 50-yard wheel route went for a Lafayette touchdown, was balanced and aggressive. The defensive line kept Lafayette quarterback Drew Reed uncomfortable, and Brannon Jones, Dan Dreher and Birk Olson each got in on at least one sack.
The linebackers dominated the run game, and the defensive backfield was especially strong on third downs, and even one fourth down. On fourth-and-goal in the fourth quarter, multiple-time All-Ivy cornerback Anthony Gaffney tackled Joey Chenoweth two yards short of the end zone to force a turnover.
Eleven plays and 98 yards later, junior Joe Rhattigan effectively ended the game with a 26-yard touchdown.
Princeton will open a three-game homestand against the Lehigh Mountain Hawks during Community and Staff Day at Powers Field next Saturday at 5 pm. Lehigh has won four straight in the series and 12 of 15 over the last two decades. Their last meeting on Powers Field was a thriller; Princeton raced out to a 22-3 lead over the 22nd-ranked Mountain Hawks, but Lehigh scored 26 points in the final 21 minutes and held off a final Princeton drive in a wild 29-28 comeback win.
A Family Fun-Fest will take place before the game on the Princeton Stadium concourse and Weaver Track beginning at 3:30 p.m. There will be children's activities, music, and food along with special displays from University departments and local community groups. Children ages 5–12 are invited to participate in a free Youth Sports Clinic from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. where they can meet with, and learn from, Princeton's student-athletes. Immediately following the game there will be a fireworks show.
Free football game tickets are available to all faculty and staff. The game begins at 5 p.m.
Faculty and staff can reserve up to eight free tickets now online. In addition, tickets will be available Monday, September 21, through Friday, September 25, at the Office of Community and Regional Affairs, located at 4 Mercer Street (Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.).
Tickets can be ordered on GoPrincetonTigers.com, or by calling 609-258-4TIX (4849).
MORE NOTES: This was Princeton's largest margin of victory in a season opener since 1955, when the Tigers defeated Rutgers 41-7 … Princeton has now defeated Lafayette eight straight times, though the 33-point margin was the largest in the series since a 41-0 victory in 1995; the 1995 Ivy League championship team will be honored on Powers Field during the Colgate game Oct. 10 … senior Seth DeValve moved over the 1000-yard mark in receiving yards during the game, and he needs five more receptions to become the 12th Princeton player with at least 100 career catches … junior Tyler Roth had only one punt, but it went 53 yards … Princeton converted 14 of 18 third-down attempts in the win … after not scoring on its first two drives of the game, Princeton scored on its next seven drives, and then ran the clock out on the eighth drive.