Football Set For 2025 Season Opener vs. San Diego

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By Craig Sachson
PrincetonTigersFootball.com
The 155th season of Princeton football could have a final destination far different than any of the first 154. It was announced last December that Ivy League teams will begin participating in the FCS playoffs starting in 2025, and Princeton would love nothing more than to find itself in the FCS championship game on January 5, 2026.

The finish line is the farthest thing from the mind of Princeton head coach Bob Surace, who begins his 15th season as head coach of his alma mater this Saturday at 12 pm in a home game against the University of San Diego. Most teams, including the Toreros, have already begun their race, and the Tigers are just now getting to the starting line.

"We are excited to get the 2025 season going and challenge ourselves against a really strong San Diego team," Surace said. "The Toreros have already played three games, they have beaten a ranked team, and they just got done playing one of the FCS finalists last year. They're talented, and they've already had time to work out some early-season issues. We'll need to be sharp from the start Saturday."

The Tigers, who have won four Ivy League titles over the last 12 years, had won eight straight season openers prior to 2024, but a 35-20 loss at Lehigh last fall previewed what would be an injury-plagued and challenging season. The Tigers went 3-7, suffering their first losing season since 2011, and they would like nothing more than to get 2025 off on a much better foot.

The race starts Saturday, that much we know. When and where it ends … well, there is finally some intrigue there.

Week 1 Preview

Opening Act • Princeton lost its first season opener since 2014 last fall when it fell 35-20 at Lehigh. Prior to that game, the Tigers had won eight straight season debuts, including 2017 and 2023 wins over San Diego.

Stay Classy, San Diego • Princeton is 4-1 all-time against the University of San Diego, including wins in both 2004 and 2005 when the Toreros were led by head coach Jim Harbaugh. The Tigers outgained San Diego 399-194 in the most recent meeting (2023), and the defense held the Toreros to -14 yards rushing.

Rank and File • Princeton has not played a ranked opponent since Oct. 21, 2023, when the Tigers upset #17 Harvard 21-14. San Diego has played ranked opponents in each of the last two weeks, and it earned an impressive 30-27 overtime win over #24 Southern Utah two weeks ago.

Captain Crunch • Princeton named its four captains for the 2025 season last week. Seniors Marco Scarano, Nasir Hill, Blaine Hipa and Kai Colón will serve as captains this season.

We're Honored • Princeton returns four All-Ivy League players from last season, including three coming from the defensive side of the ball. Senior Marco Scarano (LB) and Nasir Hill (DB) both earned second-team recognition, while juniors Chase Christopher (LB) and Brady Clark (P) both earned honorable mention.

Grounded • Sophomore Ethan Clark was a little-known running back when he made his first career start at #7 Mercer, where he rushed for 117 yards and a touchdown. Though injuries hampered the rest of his season, he ended his freshman year with 346 rushing yards and three touchdowns, the most of any returning player.

Catching Up • Last season, Princeton returned its top four receivers, including the All-Ivy duo of Luke Colella and AJ Barber. This season, the Tigers graduate players who accounted for more than 73% of their catches last fall. Outside of Jalen Geer, no Tiger caught double-digit passes last fall.

Tackle The Issue • While many of Princeton's top offensive starters from last season graduated, each of the top four tacklers on the defense return this season. All-Ivy linebackers Chase Christopher (72 tackles) and Marco Scarano (68) led the way, while the starting safety tandem of Tahj Owens (65) and Nasir Hill (59) also return.

Coach 'Em Up • Head coach Bob Surace begins 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 (81). He is currently eight 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.

The Constant • Senior Associate Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator Steve Verbit is entering 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.

Looking Ahead • Princeton will travel to Easton, Pa., next Saturday for a 3:30 pm matchup with Lafayette. Those two teams last met Oct. 7, 2023, when Lafayette ended a 12-game skid against Princeton with a 12-9 win on Powers Field.

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AJ Barber

Chase Christopher

Brady Clark

Ethan Clark

Luke Colella

Jalen Geer

Nasir Hill

Blaine Hipa

Tahj Owens

Marco Scarano

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