.png&width=24&type=webp)
Princeton University Athletics
Saturday, November 5
Princeton, N.J.
12:00 PM
Princeton University
vs
Penn
Players Mentioned
WR
/ Football
TE
/ Football
LB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
DB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
DL
/ Football
QB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
Photo by: Beverly Schaefer
Football Friday: Surace Talks Lovett, Passing Game, Team Defense, Then Looks Ahead To Penn Showdown
November 04, 2016 | Football
In the eighth installment of the Football Friday video series, Princeton head coach Bob Surace gives one final look back at the incredible performance by John Lovett last weekend, and also talks about the improved deep passing game that helped set up multiple touchdowns at Cornell. He also looks at the team defensive performance, and why that might hurt individual All-Ivy chances while helping his team's overall defense.
He then looks ahead to Saturday's crucial showdown against Penn (noon, American Sports Network/Ivy League Digital Network) by looking at a similarly strong overall defensive unit, as well as the numerous standouts on the offensive side of the ball.
You can watch the interview by clicking the play link above. The Week 8 game preview can be found below.
Â
The last two Princeton football games have provided quite the swing in emotions. Two weeks ago, there was the heartbreak in overtime, as Princeton's 14-point comeback fell just short in a 23-20 loss to Harvard.
Last weekend was a totally different story; led by a heroic performance by John Lovett, the FCS National Offensive Player of the Week, Princeton scored eight touchdowns in a 56-7 road win at Cornell.
We can't promise you the result for Saturday's noon showdown between first-place Penn (5-2, 4-0 Ivy) and Princeton (5-2, 3-1), but rest assured it will be an emotional one for sure. After all, the Tigers will have a much clearer sense of where they stand in the Ivy League race by the time it's over. There will be plenty for you to watch Saturday. Major contenders for Ivy League Offensive Player of the Year will be on both sidelines, and aggressive, opportunistic defenses will be trying to contain them. Last year's game came down to a blocked field goal and overtime score in a three-point Penn win.
This series has produced three tight finishes over the last four years. There is little reason to believe a fourth isn't coming.
Lights, Camera, Action
Saturday's Ivy League showdown at Schoellkopf Field will be televised live on the American Sports Network (check local listings) and streamed on the Ivy League Digital Network. Dave Armstrong and Richard Baldinger will call the action for the American Sports Network. The game can be heard live on WPRB 103.3 FM and the Princeton TuneIn App, with Cody Chrusciel and Dave Giancola providing the call.
Salute To The Real Heroes
Saturday will be Community & Military Heroes Day at Princeton Stadium. Prior to the game, a trained military reserve parachute team, Fastrax, will deliver the game ball to the stadium from a plane that will hover over Princeton Stadium. Make sure to get to your seats early (11:45am) to watch the show.
There will be up to four (4) FREE tickets for all military and first responders; just go to Booth #1/will call and show your ID. Also, the first 3,000 fans will receive a FREE mini American flag (given out at Caldwell Plaza), and the first 1,000 fans will receive a FREE Princeton Roller Banner (given out at Caldwell Plaza). A member of each military branch will join our Princeton captains for the coin flip prior to the game.
The Amazing Race
Princeton lost its margin for error two weeks ago in a 23-20 overtime loss to Harvard here on Powers Field, but it can also put itself right back into the championship race Saturday.
Both Penn and Harvard are 4-0 in Ivy play, and they will meet the following Friday night at Franklin Field on the NBC Sports Network. If Princeton wins this weekend and Penn wins next Friday night, the Tigers would share first place with both teams heading into next weekend's game at Yale.
If Princeton loses today and Harvard defeats Columbia in Boston Saturday afternoon, the Tigers would be officially eliminated from the race.
Working Overtime
Penn rallied from a 20-10 halftime deficit last season at Franklin Field, blocked a 35-yard field goal on the end of regulation and threw an 11-yard touchdown pass in overtime to claim a 26-23 win to keep its Ivy League championship hopes alive. Princeton running back Joe Rhattigan rushed for two touchdowns in the game, while Luke Catarius had 14 tackles for the Tigers.
Seventh Heaven
Princeton got a record-setting performance from junior quarterback John Lovett last weekend at Cornell. Lovett accounted for seven touchdowns in the 56-7 win; he threw for four touchdowns, rushed for two and caught his first touchdown pass of the season. He now leads the NCAA FCS with 14 rushing touchdowns, and he has accounted for 23 (14 rush, 8 pass, 1 receiving) on the season.
On The Record
John Lovett is making a run at Keith Elias' program record of 19 rushing touchdowns. The junior quarterback needs six over the last three games to break the mark. Ironically, the last Tiger player to make a run at that record was also a Princeton quarterback; Quinn Epperly rushed for 18 touchdowns during the 2013 Ivy championship season.
Run To Glory
Senior Isaiah Barnes caught the second-longest touchdown pass in Princeton history last weekend. Facing a 2nd and 15 on the Tigers' own 5-yard line, Lovett hit Barnes on a quick inside post around the 20, and Barnes took it the distance for a 95-yard touchdown. The only pass to go for more yards in Princeton history was a 99-yard touchdown pass from Matt Verbit — son of associate head coach Steve Verbit — to Clinton Wu in a 2003 victory at Brown.
Barnes ended the game with seven catches for a career-best 170 yards, and he moved into third in the Ivy League with 66.4 receiving yards per game. The current league leader is Penn's Justin Watson, who averages 115.3 per game.
Rank And File
Princeton (35.6) and Penn (29.7) rank 1-2 in the Ivy League in scoring offense, and both are in the Ivy Top 3 in total offense, rushing offense, first downs and third down conversions.
Fresh Face
Freshman running back Ryan Quigley posted Princeton's first 100-yard rushing performance since the season opener last weekend, when he gained 102 yards on nine carries in the win at Cornell. His last rush would be the longest, as he scored a 50-yard touchdown for the final points of a 56-7 win. It was Princeton's longest TD run since Charlie Volker scored on a 64-yard run against Colgate last season.
Sack Exchange
Princeton junior Kurt Holuba, who missed the final seven games last season with an injury, was named the Ivy League Defensive Player of the Week two weeks ago after recording 10 tackles and three sacks in the overtime loss to Harvard. He followed with another sack last weekend and now ranks second in the Ivy League with 5.5 sacks this season.
Right Turn
Princeton has forced 18 turnovers this season, most in the Ivy League, and it leads the Ivy League with a +9 turnover margin. Penn is tied for second in the league with a +2 margin, but the Penn offense has the fewest giveaways (eight) in the Ivy League this season, including only two by interception.
Gales Warning
Princeton cornerback James Gales, who has started each game this season, didn't record an interception in the first 35 games in his career. He has made two in the last six quarters — one near the goal line against Harvard, and another last weekend to set up a scoring drive against Cornell.
Grounded
Princeton's rushing defense moved to the top of the Ivy League and now ranks fifth in the FCS; the Tigers are allowing only 79.9 rushing yards per game, and they have limited opposing rushers to 2.4 yards per carry.
Cool Hand Luke
Senior Luke Catarius ranks ninth in the Ivy League with 7.6 tackles per game. He had 14 tackles last year vs. Penn, one short of his career best.
Great Scott
Scott Carpenter was named a semifinalist for the prestigious William V. Campbell Trophy, one of the top scholar-athlete honors in college football. Candidates for the award must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, have a GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, have outstanding football ability as a first-team player or significant contributor and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship. The class is selected each year by the NFF Awards Committee, which is comprised of a nationally recognized group of media, College Football Hall of Famers and athletics administrators.
With Honors
Andrew Griffin, a wide receiver from Avon, Ind., and John Orr, a linebacker from Nashville, Tenn., are two of the five recipients — from a pool of more than 1.1 million high school football players — of the prestigious 2016 NFF National High School Scholar-Athlete Awards. Each of the five recipients is selected as the best of the best from his region of the country at the high school level. The five honorees, who are now playing college football after graduating high school in 2016, are being recognized solely for their accomplishments in high school.
Princeton is the only school to have multiple honorees of a 2016 National Scholar-Athlete Award, and it is the only Ivy League school to have an honoree. Among the other schools honored are Stanford and Michigan.
Coach Speak
Head coach Bob Surace is one of two men to win an Ivy League championship as both a player (1989) and a head coach (2013). He was named a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Jr. Head Coach of the Year Award following the 2013 season.
Working Sundays
Mike Catapano '13, Caraun Reid '14, and Seth DeValve '16 are each on NFL rosters this season, marking the first time three drafted Princeton players have all been on NFL rosters for the same weekend since the 1980s. Reid has already returned a fumble for a touchdown this season, and DeValve made his first career catch last Sunday.
We're Honored
All recipients of Princeton's Charles W. Caldwell Award, which is awarded to that senior member of the varsity football squad who has shown the greatest improvement in football during his years at Princeton, have been invited to Saturday's game to be recognized at halftime. The award is in memory of Charles W. Caldwell '25, Head Coach of Princeton Football 1945-1957.
The Crystal Ball
Princeton returns to the road next Saturday to face Yale at 12:30 pm in the 139th meeting of the second-oldest active series in college football. The game will be will be streamed live on the Ivy League Digital Network.
Home Sweet Home
Princeton will play its home finale Saturday, Nov. 19, at 1:30 against the Dartmouth Big Green in a game televised on One World Sports and streamed live on the Ivy League Digital Network. Prior to the game, Princeton will honor the Class of 2016, which will graduate with four seasons of .500 or above football, including the 2013 Ivy League championship season.
You can purchase tickets for the game on GoPrincetonTigers.com or by calling 609-258-4TIX.
He then looks ahead to Saturday's crucial showdown against Penn (noon, American Sports Network/Ivy League Digital Network) by looking at a similarly strong overall defensive unit, as well as the numerous standouts on the offensive side of the ball.
You can watch the interview by clicking the play link above. The Week 8 game preview can be found below.
Â
The last two Princeton football games have provided quite the swing in emotions. Two weeks ago, there was the heartbreak in overtime, as Princeton's 14-point comeback fell just short in a 23-20 loss to Harvard.
Last weekend was a totally different story; led by a heroic performance by John Lovett, the FCS National Offensive Player of the Week, Princeton scored eight touchdowns in a 56-7 road win at Cornell.
We can't promise you the result for Saturday's noon showdown between first-place Penn (5-2, 4-0 Ivy) and Princeton (5-2, 3-1), but rest assured it will be an emotional one for sure. After all, the Tigers will have a much clearer sense of where they stand in the Ivy League race by the time it's over. There will be plenty for you to watch Saturday. Major contenders for Ivy League Offensive Player of the Year will be on both sidelines, and aggressive, opportunistic defenses will be trying to contain them. Last year's game came down to a blocked field goal and overtime score in a three-point Penn win.
This series has produced three tight finishes over the last four years. There is little reason to believe a fourth isn't coming.
| Week 8: Penn Quakers (5-2, 4-0 Ivy) at Princeton Tigers (5-2, 3-1 Ivy) |
| Date • Time • Location | Nov. 5 • 12 pm • Powers Field at Princeton Stadium |
| Watch Live | American Sports Network l Ivy League Digital Network |
| Tickets | Princeton Ticket Office l 609-258-4TIX |
| Radio | 103.3 FM l Listen Live on the TuneIn App |
| Game Coverage | Live Stats l @PUTigers l @PUTigerFootball |
| All-Time Series | Princeton leads 65-41-1 |
| Last Meeting • Current Streak | PENN 26, Princeton 23 OT (2015) l Penn 1 win |
| Princeton Information | Game Notes l Roster l Schedule l Statistics |
| Penn Information | Game Notes l Roster l Schedule l Statistics |
| Ivy League | Standings l Statistics l Weekly Release |
| Last Week | Princeton 56, CORNELL 7 l PENN 21, Brown 14 |
| Next Week | Princeton at Yale, 12:30 pm (ILDN) |
Lights, Camera, Action
Saturday's Ivy League showdown at Schoellkopf Field will be televised live on the American Sports Network (check local listings) and streamed on the Ivy League Digital Network. Dave Armstrong and Richard Baldinger will call the action for the American Sports Network. The game can be heard live on WPRB 103.3 FM and the Princeton TuneIn App, with Cody Chrusciel and Dave Giancola providing the call.
Salute To The Real Heroes
Saturday will be Community & Military Heroes Day at Princeton Stadium. Prior to the game, a trained military reserve parachute team, Fastrax, will deliver the game ball to the stadium from a plane that will hover over Princeton Stadium. Make sure to get to your seats early (11:45am) to watch the show.
There will be up to four (4) FREE tickets for all military and first responders; just go to Booth #1/will call and show your ID. Also, the first 3,000 fans will receive a FREE mini American flag (given out at Caldwell Plaza), and the first 1,000 fans will receive a FREE Princeton Roller Banner (given out at Caldwell Plaza). A member of each military branch will join our Princeton captains for the coin flip prior to the game.
The Amazing Race
Princeton lost its margin for error two weeks ago in a 23-20 overtime loss to Harvard here on Powers Field, but it can also put itself right back into the championship race Saturday.
Both Penn and Harvard are 4-0 in Ivy play, and they will meet the following Friday night at Franklin Field on the NBC Sports Network. If Princeton wins this weekend and Penn wins next Friday night, the Tigers would share first place with both teams heading into next weekend's game at Yale.
If Princeton loses today and Harvard defeats Columbia in Boston Saturday afternoon, the Tigers would be officially eliminated from the race.
Working Overtime
Penn rallied from a 20-10 halftime deficit last season at Franklin Field, blocked a 35-yard field goal on the end of regulation and threw an 11-yard touchdown pass in overtime to claim a 26-23 win to keep its Ivy League championship hopes alive. Princeton running back Joe Rhattigan rushed for two touchdowns in the game, while Luke Catarius had 14 tackles for the Tigers.
Seventh Heaven
Princeton got a record-setting performance from junior quarterback John Lovett last weekend at Cornell. Lovett accounted for seven touchdowns in the 56-7 win; he threw for four touchdowns, rushed for two and caught his first touchdown pass of the season. He now leads the NCAA FCS with 14 rushing touchdowns, and he has accounted for 23 (14 rush, 8 pass, 1 receiving) on the season.
On The Record
John Lovett is making a run at Keith Elias' program record of 19 rushing touchdowns. The junior quarterback needs six over the last three games to break the mark. Ironically, the last Tiger player to make a run at that record was also a Princeton quarterback; Quinn Epperly rushed for 18 touchdowns during the 2013 Ivy championship season.
Run To Glory
Senior Isaiah Barnes caught the second-longest touchdown pass in Princeton history last weekend. Facing a 2nd and 15 on the Tigers' own 5-yard line, Lovett hit Barnes on a quick inside post around the 20, and Barnes took it the distance for a 95-yard touchdown. The only pass to go for more yards in Princeton history was a 99-yard touchdown pass from Matt Verbit — son of associate head coach Steve Verbit — to Clinton Wu in a 2003 victory at Brown.
Barnes ended the game with seven catches for a career-best 170 yards, and he moved into third in the Ivy League with 66.4 receiving yards per game. The current league leader is Penn's Justin Watson, who averages 115.3 per game.
Rank And File
Princeton (35.6) and Penn (29.7) rank 1-2 in the Ivy League in scoring offense, and both are in the Ivy Top 3 in total offense, rushing offense, first downs and third down conversions.
Fresh Face
Freshman running back Ryan Quigley posted Princeton's first 100-yard rushing performance since the season opener last weekend, when he gained 102 yards on nine carries in the win at Cornell. His last rush would be the longest, as he scored a 50-yard touchdown for the final points of a 56-7 win. It was Princeton's longest TD run since Charlie Volker scored on a 64-yard run against Colgate last season.
Sack Exchange
Princeton junior Kurt Holuba, who missed the final seven games last season with an injury, was named the Ivy League Defensive Player of the Week two weeks ago after recording 10 tackles and three sacks in the overtime loss to Harvard. He followed with another sack last weekend and now ranks second in the Ivy League with 5.5 sacks this season.
Right Turn
Princeton has forced 18 turnovers this season, most in the Ivy League, and it leads the Ivy League with a +9 turnover margin. Penn is tied for second in the league with a +2 margin, but the Penn offense has the fewest giveaways (eight) in the Ivy League this season, including only two by interception.
Gales Warning
Princeton cornerback James Gales, who has started each game this season, didn't record an interception in the first 35 games in his career. He has made two in the last six quarters — one near the goal line against Harvard, and another last weekend to set up a scoring drive against Cornell.
Grounded
Princeton's rushing defense moved to the top of the Ivy League and now ranks fifth in the FCS; the Tigers are allowing only 79.9 rushing yards per game, and they have limited opposing rushers to 2.4 yards per carry.
Cool Hand Luke
Senior Luke Catarius ranks ninth in the Ivy League with 7.6 tackles per game. He had 14 tackles last year vs. Penn, one short of his career best.
Great Scott
Scott Carpenter was named a semifinalist for the prestigious William V. Campbell Trophy, one of the top scholar-athlete honors in college football. Candidates for the award must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, have a GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, have outstanding football ability as a first-team player or significant contributor and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship. The class is selected each year by the NFF Awards Committee, which is comprised of a nationally recognized group of media, College Football Hall of Famers and athletics administrators.
With Honors
Andrew Griffin, a wide receiver from Avon, Ind., and John Orr, a linebacker from Nashville, Tenn., are two of the five recipients — from a pool of more than 1.1 million high school football players — of the prestigious 2016 NFF National High School Scholar-Athlete Awards. Each of the five recipients is selected as the best of the best from his region of the country at the high school level. The five honorees, who are now playing college football after graduating high school in 2016, are being recognized solely for their accomplishments in high school.
Princeton is the only school to have multiple honorees of a 2016 National Scholar-Athlete Award, and it is the only Ivy League school to have an honoree. Among the other schools honored are Stanford and Michigan.
Coach Speak
Head coach Bob Surace is one of two men to win an Ivy League championship as both a player (1989) and a head coach (2013). He was named a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Jr. Head Coach of the Year Award following the 2013 season.
Working Sundays
Mike Catapano '13, Caraun Reid '14, and Seth DeValve '16 are each on NFL rosters this season, marking the first time three drafted Princeton players have all been on NFL rosters for the same weekend since the 1980s. Reid has already returned a fumble for a touchdown this season, and DeValve made his first career catch last Sunday.
We're Honored
All recipients of Princeton's Charles W. Caldwell Award, which is awarded to that senior member of the varsity football squad who has shown the greatest improvement in football during his years at Princeton, have been invited to Saturday's game to be recognized at halftime. The award is in memory of Charles W. Caldwell '25, Head Coach of Princeton Football 1945-1957.
The Crystal Ball
Princeton returns to the road next Saturday to face Yale at 12:30 pm in the 139th meeting of the second-oldest active series in college football. The game will be will be streamed live on the Ivy League Digital Network.
Home Sweet Home
Princeton will play its home finale Saturday, Nov. 19, at 1:30 against the Dartmouth Big Green in a game televised on One World Sports and streamed live on the Ivy League Digital Network. Prior to the game, Princeton will honor the Class of 2016, which will graduate with four seasons of .500 or above football, including the 2013 Ivy League championship season.
You can purchase tickets for the game on GoPrincetonTigers.com or by calling 609-258-4TIX.
Trench Talk - Episode 5: Jaden Wedderburn
Thursday, November 20
Beyond the Stripes: Torian Roberts
Wednesday, November 19
Trench Talk - Episode 4: London Robinson
Tuesday, October 28
Trench Talk - Episode 3: Joe Harris
Thursday, October 16