Football Hosts Yale For Senior Day Saturday

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By Craig Sachson
PrincetonTigersFootball.com

The Class of 2026 arrived at a truly unique moment in Princeton football's long and storied history. The pandemic had created locker rooms with fifth- and even sixth-year seniors — something the program had never seen before. For a group of freshmen just emerging from their own pandemic-disrupted high school careers, the challenge was immediate and immense.

They looked at depth charts and saw their names buried deeper than any Tiger newcomers before them. It wasn't a reflection of talent — it was a matter of numbers. There were simply too many players and only 11 spots on the field. What could have led to frustration instead became a foundation. This class supported one another, grew together, and built a culture that valued teamwork and perseverance. Now, as seniors, they've ensured that same culture will continue to strengthen Princeton football long after they're gone.

But for now, the future can wait. The seniors' focus is squarely on the present — and on one last game together on Powers Field.

This Saturday at noon (SNY, NBC Sports Philadelphia), the Tigers will host Yale in the 147th edition of one of college football's most historic rivalries. Princeton, coming off back-to-back 20–17 heartbreakers, will look to finish strong, while Yale enters with four straight wins and a chance to set up a winner-take-all showdown with Harvard next week at the Yale Bowl.

"Yale is playing terrific right now," said head coach Bob Surace. "They are very balanced offensively, led by running back Josh Pitsenberger, who is a strong Bushnell Cup candidate, and quarterback Dante Reno, who has shown exceptional accuracy and decision making. The defense is also very strong, especially in the red zone. Ezekiel Larry leads the league in sacks, while Inumidun Ayo-Durojaiye and Abu Kamara who are two of the top playmakers in the country."

This is the type of challenge that the Princeton seniors have risen to time and again. The last time they played at home, the Tigers led unbeaten Harvard deep into the second quarter. Now, they have an opportunity to close their home careers in fitting fashion — by defeating their most historic rival.

Past, present, and future will all intersect on Saturday, when the Class of 2026 steps onto Powers Field one last time to create another memory — together.

Week 9 Game Notes

History Lesson • The second-oldest rivalry in Division I, Yale and Princeton first met on November 18, 1873 and have played 146 times overall. Yale leads the all-time series 81-55-10, and it has won three straight games over Princeton, including a 42-28 home victory last year.

Home Cooking • Princeton is 2-5 against Yale at home under Bob Surace, and both of its wins came during Ivy League championship seasons (2013, 2021). In each of the five home losses, the Tiger defense has given up at least 30 points, including a 36-point effort in the 2023 loss.

Record Breaker • Josh Robinson broke Matt Costello's 14-year Princeton freshman single-season records for both receptions and receiving yards last weekend. After catching eight passes for 70 yards, Robinson now has 34 receptions for 388 yards on the season.

I'm Honored • Josh Robinson is climbing another historical chart. He became one of only six Ivy League players to win the Rookie of the Week award five times following his performance at Dartmouth. He has two weeks left to either become the fourth Ivy League player (including Princeton's Chuck Dibilio in 2011) to win the award six times, or become the only Ivy League player to ever win it seven times.

Watch Out • Josh Robinson has also been named to the Stats Perform 2025 Jerry Rice Award Watch List. Robinson is one off 22 players that have been nominated to the watch list of the Stats Perform 2025 Jerry Rice Award, which honors the FCS freshman player of the year in college football's Division I subdivision.

Grounded • Two of the Ivy League's leading rushers will be on Powers Field this weekend. Yale's Josh Pitsenberger leads the league in rushing yards (123.6 per game) and rushing touchdowns (11), while Princeton junior Ethan Clark ranks fifth in rushing yards (58.5 per game). Clark had one of the best games of his career against Yale last season; he rushed 12 times for 79 yards and two touchdowns, and he caught four passes for 55 yards.

Strength vs Strength • The matchup between the Yale offense and the Princeton defense could come down to which team can take advantage of their strength. After five Ivy games this season, the Yale rushing offense ranks first in the Ivy League (204.8 yards per game), while the Princeton rushing defense ranks sixth (176.4 yards allowed per game). However, the Yale passing offense ranks seventh in yardage (186.6), while the Princeton pass defense ranks second (179.4).

Tackling the Issue • Four of the Ivy League's top eight tacklers will be featured in this game. Yale's Inumidun Ayo-Durojaiye leads the league with 10.5 stops per game, while Princeton co-captain Marco Scarano ranks fourth with 8.3 per game. Princeton's Chase Christopher and Yale's Phoenix Grant are tied eighth with 7.8 per game.

Sack Race • Yale's Ezekiel Larry has been a dominant force on the defensive line with an Ivy League-best eight sacks this season, two more than Princeton has as a team in 2025.

Coach 'Em Up • Head coach Bob Surace is now in his 15th season as the Princeton head coach Saturday, the longest run of consecutive seasons for any head coach in program history (Hall of Famer Bill Roper coached 17 years over three different stints). He has the second-most wins in program history (84). He is currently five behind Roper for the all-time program lead, and his four Ivy League titles match the Princeton record set by Hall of Famer Dick Colman. Surace, who also coached a year at Western Connecticut, earned his 100th win as head coach in the Week 2 victory over Lafayette.

The Constant • Senior Associate Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator Steve Verbit is in his 40th season at Princeton. Throughout his time at Princeton, Verbit has coached everything from multiple NFL players (Mike Catapano '13 and Caraun Reid '14) to his son Matt Verbit '05. He has been on the coaching staff for eight of Princeton's 13 Ivy League championship teams.

Thank You, Stacie! • Princeton Football Business Operations & Alumni Liaison Stacie Traube, who has spent 42 seasons at Old Nassau, including 37 with the football program, will retire at the end of the year. She has been a part of eight of the program's 13 Ivy League titles, and she has worked closely with head coach Bob Surace since he took over the program in 2010.

"Stacie has been the "rock" of Princeton Football for nearly 40 years," Surace said. "I am so grateful to know her when I was a student, as an alum and she has steered me in the right direction so often the last 16 years as head coach. She has made an enormous impact on thousands that make up our program, and the entire Princeton Football family thanks her everything and wishes her a happy retirement."

Looking Ahead • Princeton will conclude its 2025 season at Franklin Field on Saturday, Nov. 21, when it takes on the Penn Quakers at 1 pm.

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Chase Christopher

Ethan Clark

Josh Robinson

Marco Scarano

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