Tigers spoil Homecoming

In a game that essentially determined the course of the rest of the season for both teams, the Princeton Tigers recorded their first victory over the Quakers since 1995 with a resounding 30-13 win in front of a large Homecoming crowd at Franklin Field. Led by key special teams plays and a well-balanced offensive attack, the Tigers (6-2, 4-1 Ivy) jumped out to an early 14-point lead and took control of the game in the second half to prevent the Quakers comeback. Penn (5-3, 3-2 Ivy) seemed to reverse the Tigers momentum on two separate occasions, but could not come close to ever gaining the lead. In the first half, junior running back Joe Sandberg put the Quakers on the board with a 25-yard run, as Penn tried to cut a 14-0 deficit in half. But the ensuing extra point was blocked and returned all the way for Princeton's first-ever defensive PAT. Senior All-Ivy cornerback Jay McCareins crossed the Penn goaline and earned the Tigers two extra points, swinging momentum back to Princeton while earning his team a three-point swing. In the second half with the Quakers down by three, Penn thwarted a successful Princeton scoring drive when Michael Johns recovered a fumble by Princeton's Rob Toresco at the goalline. But the Quakers went a quick three-and-out, and set the Tigers with excellent field position once again. Minutes later, a Princeton touchdown brought the lead back up to 10 and put the game effectively out of reach for the Red and Blue. The Tigers amassed 187 yards on the ground while holding the Penn rushing attack to only 84 yards. The victory over Penn was the first in 10 tries for Princeton coach Roger Hughes. It was also the first time since 1999 an Ivy team other than Harvard was able to beat the Quakers at Franklin Field. That year also was the last time Penn lost back-to-back games.