Princeton Football’s disappointing 2024 season ended on a high as the Tigers beat Penn 20–17 on Nov. 23, the team’s Senior Day. Following the conference’s final games, the Ivy League announced the All-Ivy awards, honoring 10 Princeton players — four second-team honors and six honorable mentions.
This year marks the first in the tenure of head coach Bob Surace ’90 that the Tigers ended the season with no first Team All-Ivy selections. The last time this happened was during the 2009 season under former head coach Roger Hughes. In that season, Princeton finished with a 4–6 record.
“It’s always great to see our players get recognition from the Ivy League and our head coaches, especially in a year with such parity,” Surace wrote to The Daily Princetonian. “I was very happy for each one to receive these prestigious individual accolades.”
“They certainly earned it with their outstanding off-season work and preparation, followed up with the success they had on the field this fall,” he continued. Princeton finished with a 2–5 record this season.
Senior guard Tommy Matheson was the sole Tiger awarded with offensive Second Team All-Ivy recognition. Matheson has been a stalwart player for Princeton for the last three years, locking down the position and playing in every game. Prior to the season, he was recognized with preseason First Team All-Ivy.
On the defensive side, senior defensive lineman Jack DelGarbino, junior linebacker Marco Scarano, and junior safety Nasir Hill were nominated second team All-Ivy.
DelGarbino ranks ninth in the Ivy League’s active individual leaders in tackles per game across all career games played. He received an honorable mention in the 2023 All-Ivy selection starting every game last season and ending this season with 50 tackles to his name.
Scarano stepped up for a very impressive campaign after the Tigers came into the season having lost star linebacker pair Ozzie Nicholas ’24 and Liam Johnson ’24 to Duke and Cal, respectively.
Scarano led the Tigers in tackles for loss with 11.5 and placed second in the Ivy League overall. Additionally, he was eleventh in the Ivy League for total tackles with 68, just behind fellow Tiger sophomore linebacker Chase Christopher, who came seventh with 72 tackles.
Hill has been a vital part of the Princeton secondary since his first year at Princeton — a rarity for the football program that is traditionally upperclassman heavy. This is his second consecutive season being awarded Second Team All-Ivy, and this year, he proved pivotal once again for Princeton, ending the season with 59 total tackles as well as an interception against Brown.
The other Tigers given All-Ivy honorable mentions were senior guard Nick Hilliard, senior running back John Volker, sophomore linebacker Chase Christopher, senior kicker Jeffrey Sexton, sophomore punter Brady Clark, and senior wide receiver and punt returner AJ Barber. Senior defensive lineman Collin Taylor was also nominated for the Academic All-Ivy team ending his season with 30 tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble.
Hilliard played another big role for Princeton this year, partnering up at guard once again with Matheson and appearing in every game for his third consecutive season. Volker ended his Tiger career impressively, ranking 5th in the Ivy League in yards per game (57.1), whilst getting another over-100 yard rushing performance under his belt as well as six touchdowns.
Christopher ranked 7th in the Ivy League in tackles per game (7.2) and played all 10 games despite only being a sophomore. The kicking pair of Sexton and Clark also displayed their special teams skills. Sexton went 7–7 on field goal attempts this season with a stunning 51-yard kick, ranking as Princeton’s highest this century. Clark punted for 42.55 yards per game — 2nd in the league — capping off another impressive year for him.
Barber – usually known for his skills on offense – was nominated for special teams All-Ivy with a highlight coming from a 46-yard punt return against Lehigh. This was in addition to his 437 receiving yards and 3.5 receptions per game.
A surprise exclusion from the awards this year was senior wide receiver Luke Colella, whom the Ivy League front office deemed not better than the seven other wide receivers nominated ahead of him. This is despite Colella’s 562 total receiving yards and five touchdowns on the year — ranking him sixth in the Ivy League.
Nevertheless, the Tigers were fairly well represented with awards this year in recognition of bright spots in an otherwise dim season. Other special mentions should go to junior safety Tahj Owens who had 65 tackles and three fumble recoveries, first-year linebacker AJ Pigford who dominated across all categories, and sophomore running back Ethan Clark.
Alex Beverton-Smith is an assistant Sports editor for the ‘Prince.‘
Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
Read More
Has Princeton lost its appetite for feeder schools?
Andrew Bosworth, Grace Zhao, Alexa Wingate, and Miriam WaldvogelA ‘Prince’ analysis uncovers 250 high schools that have historically sent numerous students to Princeton.
A ‘Prince’ analysis uncovers 250 high schools that have historically sent numerous students to Princeton.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell ’75 selected as Princeton’s Baccalaureate Speaker
Eojin ParkThe University announced on Nov. 26 that Jerome Powell ’75, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, would be the Baccalaureate speaker for the Class of 2025.
The University announced on Nov. 26 that Jerome Powell ’75, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, would be the Baccalaureate speaker for the Class of 2025.
USG discusses Title IX and approves funding for Dean’s Date event
Andrew ArthurIn addition to discussing Title IX and Social Committee funding, USG representatives outlined next steps for the four referenda passed last week. The USG will now prepare and deliver position papers to the University summarizing the positions of the referenda.
In addition to discussing Title IX and Social Committee funding, USG representatives outlined next steps for the four referenda passed last week. The USG will now prepare and deliver position papers to the University summarizing the positions of the referenda.
