Missed extra point proves decisive in Princeton vs. Colgate matchup

Despite an impressive 16-0 first quarter, the Tigers could not hold on and fell to Colgate 31-30 in their final non-league game of the season. They will continue Ivy League play with a 2-2 overall, 1-0 Ivy record.

The Tigers could not have asked for a better opening to the game, with junior running back Dre Nelson returning the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown. However, the Tigers could not score the two-point conversion, a decision that would ultimately come back to haunt them as they would eventually lose the game by a single point.

The first quarter continued to go the Tigers’ way, including a 59-yard run by junior running back DiAndre Atwater to set up a one-yard touchdown run by senior quarterback Quinn Epperly. Only four of the Tigers’ scoring drives this season have lasted more than three minutes, consistent with their fast and physical style of play. But they could not continue the momentum throughout the second quarter, and while the Tigers were up 16-0 at the end of the first quarter, they headed into halftime with their lead cut to 23-21.

Again the Tigers came out strong at the beginning of the half, scoring on their first possession of the half to bring their lead back to nine. However, Colgate quickly countered and so the Tigers would head into the fourth quarter with only a two-point lead and Colgate in possession of the football. With only three seconds gone on the clock, Colgate made a field goal that gave them the 31-30 edge that would be the final scoring play of the game.

Epperly threw for 217 yards on 19 of 29 attempts, including a game-long completion of 38 yards to senior wideout Matt Costello. However, he also threw two interceptions on the day. Costello led the team with 87 yards receiving on five receptions and one touchdown.

Atwater led the team in rushing with 131 yards on 18 carries. Senior tailback Will Powers ran for 43 yards on nine carries and a touchdown, while Epperly added 28 yards on the ground, including one touchdown.

Sophomore linebacker Rohan Hylton led the Tigers with 18 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss and one sack for 16 yards. Fellow sophomore defensive back Dorian Williams added 12 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery. Meanwhile, sophomore linebacker RJ Paige and senior linebacker and co-captain Mike Zeuli added 11 and 10 tackles respectively, as well as a tackle for loss apiece.