By: centraljersey.com
For those that have only had the chance to read about the changes to the Princeton University football team, Saturday presents the first chance to see first-hand what the Tigers have this season.
Princeton will host always difficult Lafayette 6 p.m. under the lights at Princeton Stadium.
First-year head coach Bob Surace is looking for some better execution and more discipline in the Tigers’ second game after they fell at another Patriot League team, Lehigh, 35-22, last Saturday in the season opener. Adding injury to insult, they have lost pre-season All-America linebacker Steve Cody for the season to a broken leg.
"Our guys are certainly coming off a tough, hard fought physical game against Lehigh," said Surace in his weekly phone conference. "They have to overcome the emotions of losing Steve Cody."
Princeton was able to move the ball on Lehigh, but they couldn’t score enough touchdowns. They had 528 yards of offense, but only one touchdown. That’s one of three areas that Surace says will have to improve this week.
When Princeton did need a field goal, it got it. Patrick Jacob was named the Ivy League Special Teams Player of the Week after connecting on 5-of-6 field goals. The five field goals was the most since 2003.
"He’s a confident young man," Surace said. "All he’s done is increase our trust in him to play well. It was a pretty tight game for 58 minutes, so he was kicking field goals that are important field goals. The one he missed, he probably missed by four inches. We’re really confident in him as a kicker. His kickoffs have improved and his accuracy is something we’re confident in in a tough situation."
The Tigers were also encouraged by what they saw from Tommy Wornham, who is in his second season of starting at quarterback. He completed 32 of 51 passes in a no-huddle attack that could be fun to watch, especially when the Tigers get it going like they did against Lehigh.
"The first two drives, we had negative yards," Surace said. "A younger quarterback, a less poised quarterback, would have panicked. He got the offense together and from that moment on, his maturity showed. He didn’t panic and he didn’t force throws. He did a good job with the getting the ball to receivers. That was very encouraging."
What will be even more encouraging is if Princeton can match its big yardage with big points against a Lafayette team that is winless in two games, but certainly no pushover.
"We’re anticipating another tough game in our home opener," Surace said.

