Can Princeton Football Have a Winning Season?

Added by Joel Smithson on September 9, 2011.

Last season, the Tigers season couldn’t have gone much worse. Princeton’s only win came at home in double overtime against Lafayette. This season the Tigers hope to improve on their (1-9) overall record, (0-7) in the Ivy League. Princeton has been trying to get back to the top ever since their remarkable Ivy League championship in 2006 behind the arm of standout quarterback Jeff Terrell. Last year junior quarterback Tommy Wornham stepped up and took the helm of the offense as starting quarterback. In 2009 Wornham threw for 898 yards, but he also ran for an average of 40.7 yards for game.

He didn’t utilize his quickness on the field last year and even though his passing yards increased (1104 passing yards in 2010), Wornham must regain the running game that brought such diversity to a 2009 squad that went (4-6). Tommy Wornham has the senior leadership that it takes to lead this team. Though he will need help from the rest of the squad.

The Ivy League doesn’t have a reputation of cranking out huge defensive linemen so Princeton has to take full advantage of this and prove early in the season that others teams should fear their rushing attack. Against Columbia last year, the Tigers racked up 260 yards on the ground, if Princeton can replicate that, then there will be high hopes for the Tigers upcoming season. But, the Tigers backfield will lack a senior presence in the backfield and for a young team, leaders on this football team will be counted on to step up as the season progresses. In the receiving core, I’m looking for seniors Isaac Serwanga and Jon Hibler to step up in a big way for the Tigers.

On the defensive side of the ball, there aren’t too many big threats posed by any teams in the Ivy League, so a stellar defense combined with a good offense should be able to lead to an alright season. And after the past few seasons, while a championship would be amazing, this year is a stepping stone for the growth of the program.

On defense, I’m excited to watch freshman defensive back Khamal Brown take the field and see if he can be as dominant in college as he was in high school.

All in all, the Tigers have the ability to make something of the season, but I think this will be a building year and in a few years, a league championship should be in store.