Princeton Defense Strong Again In 23-2 Win Over Lafayette

Saturday, October 8

Easton, Pa.

12:30 PM

Princeton University

4-0

Lafayette

2-4

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Princeton

Lafayette

Uche Ndukwe and Carter Christopher

Photo by: Christian Miccio

Princeton Defense Strong Again In 23-2 Win Over Lafayette

October 08, 2022 | Football

Box Score

Since Lehigh went down the field for a touchdown on its first drive and then added a field goal on its second against Princeton in Week 2, the Tiger defense has not allowed a single point, a stretch of 163 minutes and seven seconds.

And so what if it hasn't resulted in shutouts? Princeton has a few things that are more important than statistics — a defensive identity, a ton of confidence and an equal amount of momentum.

The defense kept a second-straight opponent without a point as Princeton rolled to its fourth win without a loss on the season with a 23-2 win at Lafayette. The only Leopard points came on a defensive PAT after the Tigers' third touchdown.

One week after a 24-6 win over Columbia during which the only Lions points came on a fumble recovery in the end zone, Princeton's defense was again pretty much perfect, allowing the Leopards only 206 yards of offense and no offensive points. Even when they did cross the 50, the Leopards couldn't get any closer than the 25. In all, Lafayette made it to the Princeton side four times, one of which ended with a Michael Ruttlen Jr. interception, two of which ended with fourth-down stops and one of which ended on the 48 as time expired.

Offensively, Princeton scored touchdowns on three long first-half marches, all of which went at least nine plays and five minutes and all of which ended with short touchdown runs, two by Ryan Butler (eight yards and one yard) and the other by Niko Vangarelli (one yard). It was 20-0 when the extra point attempt was blocked and brought back the other way, making it a 20-2 game at the break.

The only second half points came on a 27-yard Jeffrey Sexton field goal.

Blake Stenstrom completed 30 of 40 passes for 290 yards. His main target was Andrei Iosivas, who caught 10 of those passes for 150 of those yards. Liam Johnson led Princeton with eight tackles.

Princeton now has six games remaining, all in the Ivy League, beginning this coming Friday night at home against Brown. Princeton now leads the all-time series with Lafayette 45-4-1.

Notes:
Blake Stenstrom has thrown for 250 yards in four straight games, the first quarterback to do that since Chad Kanoff in 2017.
Dylan Classi has recorded a catch in 28 straight games. He's three receptions shy of 100 for his career.
Andrei Iosvias set a career high with 10 catches and 150 yards receiving. He's 13 catches shy of 100 for his career.
Carson Bobo has a catch in 23 of 24 games.
Liam Johnson led the team with eight tackles and now has a team-best 28 on the season.