Football Set For No. 7 Mercer Saturday

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By Craig Sachson
PrincetonTigersFootball.com

When Bob Surace began the Princeton football rebuild, he sought the advice of a fellow Tiger coach who was guiding one of the most impressive program transformations in all of Division I, former Princeton wrestling coach Chris Ayres.

Ayres went winless over the first two years leading the Tiger wrestling program, but he slowly built a culture that would ultimately result in the program's first Ivy League title since 1986 and its first NCAA individual champion since 1951. As Surace shared in the latest First in Football podcast, a key message Ayres was sharing with recruits during the turnaround was this: if you want easy, go somewhere else.

Surace took that message to heart. He went 2-20 in his first 22 games, and then became the second coach in Princeton history to win four Ivy League championships. His recruits have come to campus expecting to be challenged every day for four years — challenged in the classroom, and in the weight room, challenged by teammates, circumstances and the best of opponents.

So don't shed a tear for an injury-riddled Princeton team as it flies to Macon, Ga., for a showdown against the loaded, undefeated and nationally ranked Mercer Bears. Princeton expects challenges, and it will get a mighty one Saturday.

Princeton (1-2) will play No. 7 Mercer (5-0) Saturday at 3:30 pm. This will be the first-ever meeting between the two programs, marking the second time in three weeks that the oldest program in college football will face a brand new opponent; two weeks ago, the Tigers defeated Howard 30-13 in the home opener.

The Tigers, who have dealt with a bevy of recent injuries, especially on the defensive side, will have their hands full against a Mercer team that has already knocked off two nationally ranked teams (10-3 over #14 Chattanooga and 22-3 over #23 Wofford). The Bears have the FCS' top-ranked rushing defense, second-ranked scoring defense and third-ranked total defense.

"Mercer is highly ranked, but after watching video of this team, I actually think they aren't ranked high enough," Surace said. "They are balanced on offense, running the ball extremely well while completing about 75% in the pass game. The defense is ranked near the top of the FCS in almost every category, and I think the most underrated aspect of their squad is their special teams. They are a well-coached, complete team."

Oh, and they're rested too. Mercer played its first game around the start of Princeton's preseason camp, and it had a bye following its Wofford win on Sept. 28. These Princeton players came for the challenges, right?

The Tigers don't have to look too far back for their last ranked win; Princeton defeated No. 17 Harvard 21-14 last year to hand the Crimson their first loss of the season. The result caught the attention of the league; a similar upset would grab national attention. Surace is hopeful to get more players back this week, and he was pleased with the second start by junior quarterback Blaine Hipa, who missed the Howard game due to injury.

This is the final week before a six-week Ivy sprint, and the Tigers know they'll enter that sprint with no margin for error. That makes this weekend an opportunity to see where they stand, where they need to grow, and how they will handle yet another challenge in their Princeton careers.

WEEK 4 GAME NOTES
Rank and File • Princeton has won its last three games against nationally ranked opponents. Prior to the 21-14 win over No. 17 Harvard last season, the Tigers won a crazy 18-16 five-overtime (yes, five!) game over No. 16 Harvard in 2021. Arguably the best Ivy League game of the quarter century took place in 2018, as No. 14 Princeton rallied past No. 20 Dartmouth 14-9 on its way to a perfect season.

Taking Flight • This will be the seventh time that Princeton has flown to a football game in the 2000s, and the third time in as many seasons. The Tigers have gone 4-2 in those games (wins at San Diego (2004, 2023), Butler (2018) and Stetson (2022); losses at The Citadel (2008) and San Diego (2014).

Ground Attack • Senior John Volker ranks sixth in the Ivy League with 59 rushing yards per game, and he has scored two touchdowns, including one last weekend at Columbia. Volker needs 154 rushing yards to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark for his career.

Grounded • Whatever Volker gains on the ground this weekend will be well-earned. Mercer leads the FCS in rushing defense and is allowing only 1.17 yards per rush. The difference between first and second (Sacramento State) in yards per rush allowed is more than the difference between second and ninth (Alabama State). Mercer is allowing 29.2 rushing yards per game, less than half as much as any team in the FCS.

Barber Shop • Senior wideout AJ Barber, a two-time All-Ivy League honoree, caught seven passes for 74 yards and a touchdown last weekend. He needs 20 receptions over the final seven games to reach the 100-catch mark for his career.

Double Trouble • The senior receiver duo of Barber and Luke Colella have combined for 20 catches for 279 yards and three touchdowns this season. The only other Princeton player with a receiving touchdown this season is senior tight end Tyler Picinic.

The Chase Is On • Sophomore defensive lineman Chase Christopher leads the team with 21 tackles, including eight in Princeton's Week 2 win over Howard.

Air Control • A senior-laden defensive backfield and a strong pass rush (Princeton ranks second in the Ivy League with seven sacks) has helped the Tigers rank second in the Ivy League in passing defense. Princeton is allowing only 179 passing yards per game, while Mercer averaged 223.6 passing yards per game.

Friday Night Lights • Princeton will return to Ivy League play next Friday night in a nationally televised showdown with Brown (7 pm, ESPNU). The Bears, led by former Princeton offensive coordinator James Perry, will enter that game with a 1-0 Ivy mark following a comeback win over Harvard, which is led by former Princeton offensive coordinator Andrew Aurich.

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AJ Barber

Chase Christopher

Luke Colella

Blaine Hipa

Tyler Picinic

John Volker

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