No. 10 Mountain Hawks host Tigers Saturday
By: Justin Feil
When the Princeton University football team talks about challenges, chief on the list is Lehigh University. The Tigers square off with the nation’s 10th ranked Division I-AA team 1 p.m. Saturday in Bethlehem.
The Mountain Hawks led the Patriot League in attendance last season with an average of more than 12,000 people per game. There was a reason. They went 12-1, scored in dozens it seemed, and won a third straight Patriot League title. Saturday should be packed as Lehigh celebrates Homecoming.
Of all Lehigh’s victories last season, it was one in front of more than 14,000 at Princeton Stadium that was toughest and tightest of the year. Lehigh won, 20-18, as Princeton’s two-point conversion failed in the final two minutes of the game.
This year, Lehigh has a new coach in Pete Lembo, who was assistant head coach last year, a lot of new players, but a similar offensive system with pre-season All-America quarterback Brant Hall and high hopes for the postseason again. It is 33-1 in the regular season the last three years. That record includes a 41-14 win over Georgetown in its season opener that shows, if anything, that Saturday will be quite a challenge for the Tigers.
"It gets everyone a little more excited to play that kind of team," said Princeton linebacker Chris Roser-Jones of Lehigh’s offensive challenge. "If we step up and hold them to a low point total, other teams down the road will look forward to the Princeton defense. We want to make a name for ourselves."
Tiger head coach Roger Hughes would like that from the outset. Last season, Princeton fell behind, 10-0, then 13-3 in the first quarter after turnovers led to short field situations that the Mountain Hawks converted.
"Especially with the youth on our team, I would like to see us do something big with a positive effect early in the game to give our kids confidence," Hughes said. "I think we have a confidence that we can play with anybody, but I think it’s easier to keep our heads in the game if things go well early. That’s going to be our biggest focus is first, don’t beat yourselves, which I felt we did last year. We can’t give them cheap points.
"It’s Homecoming. It’s going to be an emotional game for both teams in that it’s our first and Coach Lembo’s home opener. I hope we can go up there and spoil his home opener as he did mine last year."
Roser-Jones, who led all Division I-AA linebackers with six interceptions, and the Princeton defense will play a big role. So, Hughes expects, will the special teams. Last year, Taylor Northrop kicked four field goals and the Tigers blocked a Lehigh field goal.
"Special teams will be a huge factor," Hughes said. "Luckily we think we have the best kicker in the league. We have to make sure we protect on punts, or we get a block."
While Hughes is concerned that the time away from live-action play could leave his team less sharp mentally, Roser-Jones implies that the Lehigh challenge is enough to have everyone ready to go.
"I’m excited to play," he said echoing the sentiments of coaches and players alike after last week’s scheduled opener with Lafayette was postponed because of the Sept. 11 tragedy. "Guys have been running around and playing hard."
Princeton can take strength from knowing how well it played last year against a team that advanced to the NCAA Division I-AA quarterfinals. Lehigh did not score in the second half. Though it’s a different team this year, it’s one of the things the Tigers have to go on.
"In the second half, I thought we played them pretty well," Roser-Jones said. "That gives us confidence. We have to use that. We didn’t see the Georgetown game, so we watched last year’s tape and watched teams they played toward the end of the season."
Lehigh’s Hall is a big concern. Princeton limited him to 31 yards rushing on 10 carries and he passed for 145 yards, a low total. He went over the 300-yard mark against Georgetown.
"He’s pretty dangerous either way," Roser-Jones said. "He’s pretty accurate throwing the ball on the run. He brings a lot to the table. We have the athletes to stop him. We have to do a great job communicating. When he takes off, we have to have guys screaming to get out of coverage and to get there."
Lehigh is the first of many talented offenses Princeton will face this season. Princeton has prepared for Lehigh’s attack by sending the first-team offensive and defensive units against each other. The Tigers also scrimmaged Penn, but that was weeks ago. The Mountain Hawks are the first challenge, and an awfully big one.
"There are a lot of tough teams in our league," Roser-Jones said. "Lehigh may be the best on our schedule, just if you look at the rankings. It’d be nice to have another game to work out those kinks, but Lafayette was tough too. We’ll see. You have to play somebody first."
And Princeton is up for Lehigh’s challenge.