In a touchdown shootout match, the Tigers (2–7 overall, 1–5 Ivy League) ultimately fell short in the 146th contest against Yale (6–3, 3–3) 42–28. The Tigers came out of the break ahead 21–21, but the Bulldogs took over in the third quarter to get the game’s final three touchdowns.
For the first time this season, it was the Tiger offense that showed out over the defense for Princeton. Going for 406 total yards, including junior quarterback Blaine Hipa’s 267 passing yards, the Tigers picked up where they left off in the second half of their last game against Dartmouth.
Several offensive players stood out in the matchup, despite the loss. Senior wide receiver AJ Barber had his third career 100-yard game as he ended with 108 receiving yards and a touchdown, while sophomore running back Ethan Clark came back from injury setbacks in the season to earn 134 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns.
Princeton, nevertheless, could not contain the Yale run game, which ultimately cost the Tigers the game, as Yale scored three unanswered touchdowns in three straight drives in the second half.
“Obviously we came up short, but I was pleased with the effort,” Head Coach Bob Surace ’90 wrote to The Daily Princetonian. “We are battling through some things health-wise, and I am incredibly proud of the players continuing to fight.”
Coach Surace emphasized the role that injuries have played this season, too. Many Princeton starters have missed time or have been moved to different positions as a result of injuries all season, with backups coming in to replace them and the Princeton depth being tested.
“I think we’ve shown incremental progress throughout the year, especially since the Mercer game,” coach Surace continued. “The health issues have given a lot of inexperienced players opportunities in specific roles. We traveled 37 first and second year players — which is a record in my time here — in a league dominated by fifth year and fourth year seniors.”
The teams started the game by trading punts before a huge hit by junior safety Nasir Hill forced a fumble, which was recovered by sophomore defensive back Torian Roberts for key field position at the Yale 47-yard line.
In a scene reminiscent of the Dartmouth game, the Tigers quickly marched up the field off of a turnover, as sophomore running back Ethan Clark rushed for 40 yards on the drive, culminating with a rush into the endzone for a touchdown.
The Tigers initially started showing 3–3 stack defense on several snaps, which gave them some success at preventing Yale’s usual quick throws, but the Bulldogs quickly established their run game. On back-to-back drives, Yale scored consecutive touchdowns going up the field for 164 yards with the Princeton defense unable to stop them.
With both extra points converted, the Bulldogs went up 14–7 on the Orange and Black. The Tigers wouldn’t go down easily, however, with Barber starting the very next drive with a 33-yard reception taking him above 50 yards for the game in the first half alone.
“I thought those guys played really well,” coach Surace wrote to the ‘Prince’ about offensive standouts such as Barber. “The wind was a factor for both teams on the deeper throws, which made the intermediate pass game and run game that more vital.”
The team took advantage of this positive start to the drive, and Clark rushed and caught for 42 yards to get his second touchdown of the day to even up the score at 14.
Both sides seemed determined to keep it even up to the half, however, as a fumble recovery touchdown by Yale took them up by seven before the Tigers once again leveled the score 21–21. Two big third down conversions and back-to-back grabs by senior wide receiver Luke Colella put Princeton on the Yale 14-yard line — Barber scored his touchdown of the night on the very next play.
Princeton once again swung the game in their favor, coming out of the half 28–21. In less than two minutes, Princeton advanced up to Yale’s 37-yard line, and senior running back John Volker avoided a heavy blitz on the ensuing play, running right past the Yale defense for his only touchdown of the night.
“It was great to have John Volker and Ethan Clark healthy at practice last week,” coach Surace wrote to the ‘Prince.’ “That made a big difference in the ability of the coaches to expand the game plan as well.”
It was here, however, the game plan fell apart for the Tigers. In what was lining up to be another closely-contested game like last year, Yale’s run game proved too strong for the Tigers, who had no answer to the Bulldogs’ high-powered offense.
Averaging six yards per rush, the Bulldogs ended with 281 rushing yards on the night. On their three consecutive touchdown drives to end the night, they rushed for 143 of their 178 total yards across the drives.
Princeton tried to mount a comeback, but Hipa’s only interception of the night in the endzone and a turnover on downs on their following drive ended any Princeton hopes for victory.
The Tigers ended the night down 42–28 with only touchdowns being scored and all extra point kicks made. They are now bottom of the Ivy League with a 1–5 record and are guaranteed to be solely in last place or tied for last place, depending on the result of their final game.
The Tigers will face Penn (4–5, 2–4) at home in the Princeton Stadium in their final matchup for the season. The season has been very underwhelming for Princeton, but they expressed hope to end the year on a positive note as they managed last year.
“My biggest thought is it’s senior day,” coach Surace wrote to the ‘Prince’ about his thoughts heading into next week. “This group of seniors has experienced a lot of highs along with some disappointment in their careers. I am going to be emotional as they walk out to the field before the game and sad afterwards that [it] is the last chance to compete with many of them.”
Alex Beverton-Smith is an assistant Sports editor for the ‘Prince.’
Read More
Reactions: What should USG candidates focus on?
Alex Norbrook, Raf Basas, Juan Fajardo, Jorge Reyes, Lillian Paterson, and Shane McCauleyOur Opinion staff weigh in on what they would like to see from the candidates as they begin campaigning over the next two weeks.
Our Opinion staff weigh in on what they would like to see from the candidates as they begin campaigning over the next two weeks.
Artist Q&A: Professional pianist Benjamin Grosvenor on finding colors in classical music
Chloe LauStaff writer for the Prospect Chloe Lau interviews Benjamin Grosvenor, a piano prodigy, on his career.
Staff writer for the Prospect Chloe Lau interviews Benjamin Grosvenor, a piano prodigy, on his career.
The Creative Writing program should be more accessible to B.S.E. students
Callisto Lim“The B.S.E. program and CWR should prioritize and promote the unique learning experiences that the fine arts provides, and CWR should create initiatives which make creative writing as a discipline more accessible for B.S.E. students.”
“The B.S.E. program and CWR should prioritize and promote the unique learning experiences that the fine arts provides, and CWR should create initiatives which make creative writing as a discipline more accessible for B.S.E. students.”
