Sat Ivy League Thread...

[IE]

Lines From Pinnaclesports.com

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Sat 9/18 240 Holy Cross +26.5 -105 OVER 69.5 -105
10:00 AM 241 Harvard -26.5 -105 UNDER 69.5 -105
Sat 9/18 242 Albany +20.5 -105 OVER 37 -105
10:00 AM 243 Brown -20.5 -105 UNDER 37 -105
Sat 9/18 244 Dartmouth +21 -105 OVER 49 -105
10:00 AM 245 Colgate -21 -105 UNDER 49 -105
Sat 9/18 246 Yale -5.5 -110 OVER 46 -105
10:00 AM 247 Dayton +5.5 +100 UNDER 46 -105
Sat 9/18 248 Pennsylvania -23 -105 OVER 62.5 -105
01:00 PM 249 San Diego +23 -105 UNDER 62.5 -105
Sat 9/18 250 Lafayette +2.5 -103 +122 OVER 45.5 -105
04:00 PM 251 Princeton -2.5 -107 -134 UNDER 45.5 -105
Sat 9/18 252 Fordham -5 -105 -238 OVER 44 -105
04:00 PM 253 Columbia +5 -105 +212 UNDER 44 -105
Sat 9/18 254 Cornell +25.5 -105 OVER 47.5 -105
04:00 PM 255 Bucknell -25.5 -105 UNDER 47.5 -105
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Yale article:

Yale defense tames tigers

BY JAMIE CORDES

On Sat., Sept. 4, the football team defeated Princeton 14-3 in a scrimmage that lasted five quarters. The Bulldogs used the scrimmage as a chance to give some sophomores their first playing time, and Coach Jack Siedlecki was rewarded for giving his younger players a chance to impress. Jordan Spence, PC '07, and Matt Murray, TD '07, two sophomore tailbacks who saw only junior varsity playing time in the 2003 season, each scored for the Bulldogs.

Spence was especially pleased to have the opportunity to experience Ivy League competition, even if it was in a practice environment. "It was good to get a taste of the speed of the game, and the fact that it wasn't a competitive game meant I wasn't so nervous," he said. Although Murray and Spence provided the critical finishing touches to Bulldog drives, neither expects to see much field time this year behind standouts Robert Carr, MC '05, and David Knox, CC '06. "We will be ready when needed," Spence said.

The key to the Elis' success was the dominance of their defense. The Tigers went three-and-out on three of the six Princeton drives. They only managed three points over five quarters, despite fielding a team of first-string players.

The defensive line consistently put pressure on the Tigers' quarterback, which in turn took the pressure off the secondary, allowing them to shut down Princeton's receivers. "The defense has a few main goals going into the season, and one of them is certainly pressuring the quarterback," defensive end Brandon Etheridge, BK '07, said. "I think we did that well, and that's a testament to our coaching staff and how hard we worked in the off season." On Princeton's last drive in the first half, Yale's four-man pass rush got to the quarterback twice in four plays. To avoid injuries in practice, sacks were not allowed.

Despite an interception thrown by redshirt senior and 2003 Captain Alvin Cowan, TC '05, the Eli passing game still showed its strength. Cowan connected on several occasions with wide receivers Chandler Henley, MC '06, and Ralph Plumb, TC '05, and, most impressively, with D.J. Shooter, TC '07. Shooter has had a strong spring and summer and looks to work his way into the rotation this season.

Still, with so many returning starters, there will not be much room on the roster for inexperienced freshmen and sophomores. For some, like defensive back Chris Solga, PC '08, who recorded an interception against Princeton, it may be a long season of watching from the sidelines.

Nevertheless, these younger players are not letting this prospect dampen their spirits. The squad has meshed well in recent weeks and is looking forward to a shot at the Ivy League title. This confidence is largely due to the presence of six fifth-year seniors, who are all still eligible to play this year as a result of redshirting for a season due to injury. "With so many redshirt seniors on the team, it's like having more captains, which really helps the younger guys," Spence said.

Siedlecki will continue adjusting his lineup and hopes to finish his fine-tuning in time for next Saturday's road trip to Dayton, Ohio. After another road trip the following week to play Cornell, the Bulldogs will return to the partially renovated Yale Bowl for their home opener against Division I-AA powerhouse Colgate on Sat., Oct. 2.

 

[IE]

Yale offense limping into season opener
Sean Barker , Assistant Sports Editor 09/15/2004

NEW HAVEN ? Last season, the Yale football team?s defense battled bumps and bruises throughout.

This preseason, it?s been the offense.

As Yale prepares for its season opener at Dayton (2-0) Saturday, the Bulldogs do so not having had the entire starting offense on the field for a practice.

"We haven?t practiced with our entire 11 on offense, yet," Yale coach Jack Siedlecki said. "Nothing is serious with any of them, but enough to keep some of them out a bit."

Senior wide receiver Ralph Plumb has dealt with a hamstring problem.

Junior tight end Alex Faherty has been slowed by a groin injury.

Junior wide receiver Chandler Henley is back to full strength, but was bothered by a quadriceps injury.

Wide receiver and punter Ashley Wright, who fractured his shoulder last spring, reinjured it, but X-rays did not reveal a fracture.

Tyson Crawford, a backup fullback behind sophomore Taylor Craig, will be the starting punter.

Sophomore center Bruce Pohlot, expected to start at the beginning of preseason, has not practiced in three weeks because of a high ankle sprain, forcing Siedlecki to move Ed McCarthy from tackle to center. McCarthy, the Ivy League rookie of the year last season, was moved from guard to tackle in the offseason.

Brett Crandall, who has spent the past two years on a Mormon mission, has been converted from the defensive line to an offensive guard and will start.

The status of backup tailback David Knox has not changed. Knox, who has been bothered by a sports hernia, has not practiced since last season. A decision has yet to be made if he will sit out the season.

His backup, Jordan Spence, who had a productive spring, has also been slowed. Siedlecki said Spence will be ready to back up Robert Carr. Matt Murray will also get time at tailback.

RESTORATION PROJECT STARTS

Actual work on the Yale Bowl won?t begin until after the season, but the $22 million restoration project is under way.

The chain-link fence along Chapel Street has been replaced by a black wrought iron one. Workers have already started to replace the chain-link fence along Yale Avenue.

Brick pillars are also being put up to match the brick along Route 34 near the Walter Camp Gate. The wrought iron fencewill also be placed on the Central Avenue side of the Bowl.

This will be ready for Yale?s home opener Oct. 2 against Colgate.

The Bowl, which opened in November 1914 and is on the national historic registry, is expected to be completely restored for the opening of the 2006 season.

BULLDOG BITES

Yale practiced Saturday at Johnson Field on the turf. Dayton?s home field, Welcome Stadium, is turf. Siedlecki said Yale will not practice on the turf this week. "I just like them to get a feel for the shoes and run around on it a bit. I think it pounds on you. Especially when you travel. You want to have fresh legs. I just want them to be ready to run, ready to fly around." ... Yale?s 800th win came against the Flyers in 2001. Yale was the first program to reach 800 wins.

ABOUT THE FLYERS

Dayton moved to No. 1 in the Sports Network I-AA Mid-Major poll. The poll consists of schools from the Northeast Conference and the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.

The Flyers have not been shut out in 313 games, the longest streak of any collegiate team. Marshall shut out Dayton on Oct. 16, 1976. Dayton has averaged 32.0 points during the streak.

Since 1977, Dayton has an .833 winning percentage and has 27 winning seasons, tied for the longest streak of any division with Florida State.

Dayton has 44 academic All-Americans in football, trailing only Nebraska and Notre Dame in Division I.

 

[Blackman]

Bucknell Returns to Gridiron Saturday Night vs. Cornell
Bison hope to build on Villanova positives in 2004 home opener

Sixteen days after opening the season with a gut-wrenching loss at ninth-ranked Villanova, Bucknell returns to the gridiron Saturday night for its home opener against Cornell. Thanks mostly to three straight takeways late in the contest, the Bison nearly erased all of a 20-point deficit against Villanova, but Bucknell was stopped inches from the goal line on a fourth-down play with 7:00 remaining. Cornell, under first-year head coach Jim Knowles, will be making its 2004 debut on Saturday. The Bison will be looking to pay back the Big Red for a tough 21-19 setback a year ago in Ithaca. Ryan Korn's 27-yard field goal attempt with 1:43 to play struck the left upright, giving Cornell its only victory of the 2003 campaign.

TOURING THE HERD
? ON THE SIDELINE: Head coach Tim Landis posted a 6-6 record in his first year at Bucknell in 2003 and led the Bison to a third-place finish in the Patriot League. Landis is now 59-59-1 (.500) in his career, which also includes head coaching stints at Davidson (1993-99) and St. Mary's (2000-02). He is 0-1 lifetime against Cornell.

? THE OFFENSE: Bucknell's offense was pretty well stymied by Villanova's vaunted defense on opening night. The Bison were held to 79 rushing yards -- their lowest output under Landis -- and 178 total yards. However, the offense did show some late resurgence, scoring twice in a 1:44 span in the fourth quarter.

? UNDER CENTER: One of the nation's best rushing quarterbacks, QB Daris Wilson did more damage with his arm against Villanova. While the Wildcats limited Wilson to 32 yards on 24 carries, he did complete 10 of 13 passes for 99 yards. He tossed a 21-yard TD pass to WR Ian Nutt and also ran for a 2-yard score.

? BACKS & RECEIVERS: Junior FB Blamah Sarnor led the team with 43 rushing yards against Villanova. The Wildcats shut down Bucknell's outside rushing game, limiting the Bison slotbacks to only two carries. SB Frank Lazio, who had both of those carries, also contributed as a receiver, catching a team-high three passes for 47 yards, including a critical fourth-down pickup. SB Kenny Davis, who made his Bison debut on opening night, saw increased playing time in the second half and could start against Cornell.

? THE O-LINE: One of the most experienced position groups on the squad is the offensive line, where tackles Jon Scharf and Justin Gibson, center Stephen Watts and guard Aaron DeGraffenreidt all have plenty of starting experience. One lineup change is expected at right guard, where Stefan Niemczyk is expected to make his first collegiate start against Cornell. Junior Craig Swanson made his first varsity appearance off the bench against Villanova and performed well.

? THE DEFENSE: Often maligned a year ago, the Bucknell defense turned in a yeoman's effort against an extremely talented and athletic Villanova team. Notably, the defense made a fourth-down stand on the Wildcats' opening drive, held VU to 341 total yards (68 below their 2003 average) and shut out the ninth-ranked team in the nation for the game's final 21:28.

? DEFENSIVE FRONT: The defensive line made several big plays against Villanova, none bigger that DE Sean Conover's sack and strip of QB Marvin Burroughs in the fourth quarter. DT Corey Mayo recovered at the Villanova 23 and two plays later the Bison were in the end zone. Mayo and DT Jacob Burney made six tackles apiece, while DT Chris Praylo forced a fumble. ILB Dorian Petersen also had a strong game with 10 tackles (all solo).

? DEFENSIVE SECONDARY: The Bison secondary had its hands full against an athletic Villanova squad but did not allow a pass play longer than 22 yards in the contest. Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week DB Jerome Acy was terrific, making seven tackles, including a sack for -11 yards that knocked the Wildcats out of field goal range, along with a key interception that set up Bucknell's first score of the day. FS Virgil Rush led all players with 12 tackles.

? SPECIAL TEAMS: P Ryan Berry had one of his finest games as a Bison, averaging 39.2 yards on six punts and limiting All-A-10 return man J.J. Outlaw to just five yards on three tries. Three of Berry's punts pinned VU inside its 20. K Ryan Korn did not get a field goal try but connected on both PAT attempts. Bucknell's kickoff coverage was also solid, yielding only 15.3 yards per return.

BISON FOOTBALL NOTES & NOTABLES:
? THE BISON IN HOME OPENERS: Bucknell has won its initial home game in each of the last nine seasons and is 88-28-1 (.756) all-time in home openers (the team played only road games in 1892). A 45-21 loss to Hofstra in 1994 is the team's only defeat in a home opener in the last dozen years. Two of the recent wins have come against Cornell, including a 14-3 win in 2002 and a 38-15 decision in 2000.

? UNDER THE LIGHTS: The Bison are playing their home opener under the lights for the third straight year. In 2002, under a newly installed lighting system, the Bison were 14-3 winners over Cornell in the first night game at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium since 1986. Last season Bucknell topped Duquesne 28-21 in a night contest. The Bison will also host Columbia in a 7 p.m. kickoff next week.

? HOME COOKING: The Bison are 34-14 (.708) in games played at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium since 1995. Overall, Bucknell has a stellar 304-144-13 (.674) record at home, including a 4-1 record last year. Bucknell has not lost a non-conference home game since 1996, a 30-21 overtime loss to Pennsylvania. The Bison have won 15 straight against non-Patriot League foes at Mathewson Stadium, with Cornell, Columbia and Penn paying visits in 2004.

? BISON IN SEARCH OF IVY LEAGUE PAYBACK: Bucknell went 0-3 against the Ivy League last season, finding three brutally agonizing ways to lose all three. The three losses came to Cornell, Columbia and Penn -- all on the road -- by a combined six points. The horrifying details ...
? At Cornell, K Ryan Korn's 27-yard field-goal attempt solidy strikes the left upright with 1:43 remaining, and the Bison fall 21-19.
? At Columbia the following week, the Lions drive 73 yards, score the go-ahead touchdown with 0:22 remaining and stun the Bison 19-16.
? At 15th-ranked Penn two weeks later, the Bison trail 14-13 but make a heroic goal-line stand with 2:00 remaining. Taking over inside its own 1, Bucknell drives to the Penn 22, but Korn's mis-hit 39-yard FG attempt with 20 seconds remaining falls inches short.
? Post-script: Bucknell rebounded to win two of its next three games following the Penn loss. Korn went on to break the BU single-season field goal record with 14. The late misses against Cornell and Penn (which finished 10-0) were two of only five missed field goals all year.

? PRESEASON PREDICTIONS: Bucknell over the summer was picked fourth in a preseason poll of Patriot League head coaches and sports information directors. Defending champion Colgate received 12 of 14 first-place votes and 72 total points, and the Raiders were a near-unanimous choice to repeat as league titlists. Lehigh (59) received the other two first-place nods and was picked second, followed by Fordham (51), Bucknell (40), Lafayette (26), Georgetown (23) and Holy Cross (23).

? FIRST-TIME STARTERS: OL Michael Boccella, WR Richard Simpson and RB Peter Kaufman made their first career starts in the Villanova game. Sophomore OL Stefan Niemczyk could make his first-ever start in place of Boccella opposite Cornell.

? TURNOVER WATCH: A year ago the Bison ranked sixth nationally in interceptions (20) and 11th in total takeaways (33), and the Herd seems to have a similarly opportunistic defense again in 2004. Trailing 20-0 late in the third quarter, Bucknell forced three turnovers in a span of five Villanova offensive plays, all coming in Wildcats territory. The first two set up touchdowns, while the third seemingly positioned the Bison for an improbable go-ahead score, but FB Blamah Sarnor was tackled inches shy of the end zone on a fourth-down play.

? CAPTAINS NAMED: In a vote of their teammates, seniors QB Daris Wilson and LB Kevin Ransome have been named team co-captains for 2004. They will be joined each week by rotating game captains, to be named by the coaching staff.



? BISON BRIEFS: For the second straight week, Bucknell received votes (16) in The Sports Network I-AA national poll ... the Bison would be ranked 40th ... Bucknell's loss to Cornell last season also came following a bye week ... Bucknell managed just one first down in the first half against Villanova, but had 10 in the second half ... QB Daris Wilson needs 76 rushing yards to go over 1,000 for his career ... RB Kenny Davis, a transfer from St. Mary's (Calif.), made his first Bucknell catch ... OL Nick DeFeo recently switched from DL to OL and was listed No. 2 on the depth chart this week at right guard before suffering a leg injury in the junior varsity game on Saturday ... DeFeo also changed his jersey number from 93 to 60 ... three freshmen made their collegiate debuts as reserves against Villanova -- DB John Thomson, OL Chad Glasser and DL Ryan Walsh ... the Bison may have found their quarterback of the future on Saturday, as freshman QB Terrance Wilson ran for 155 yards and two TDs in the junior varsity team's 21-17 victory over Lackawanna, one of the top junior colleges in the East ... Wilson's 60-yard TD gallop midway through the third quarter snapped a 14-all tie and proved to be the winning score ... Wilson also had a 27-yard TD run in the first quarter, and freshman RB Greg Sutton scored on a 2-yard run ... freshman LB Ryan Slater led the defense with an interception and nine tackles, and he also helped out in a thin backfield, rushing for 40 yards on eight carries as a fullback.

 

[Blackman]

Just to add -- it's a night game at Bucknell, and I'm not kidding when I'd approximate maybe 500 people will show up (the game is free mind you), half of which will be the players parents. The football fans would rather sit in their rooms and watch BCS teams play on TV, while all the frat boys will be having parties on campus. I can't imagine laying 25 points on the Bison when they will essentially have no home field advantage in Christy Mathewson Stadium.

Cornell beat Bucknell last year 21-19, and I can't image that Bucknell is now almost 4 TDs better than Cornell.

 

[yak merchant]

Umm yeah, I stayed up all night last night trying to make some sense out of this thing. I made one bet and that was Yale. I'm starting to think I just walked into an ambush. I just can't get my hands around the strength of the A10/Pioneer leagues. But a gimpy offense traveling to highly rated team, that plays on turf looks scary. Plus seeing how nothing matters to the Ancient Eight except for the league games. I'm not so sure Yale won't act like this is practice. Ivy League doesn't allow teams to play in playoffs so winning league is all that matters.

 

[IE]

Brown hopes to ride RB Hartigan to success in 2004
Bears will rely on run as they start a new quarterback this year

September 15, 2004

With the return of Nick Hartigan, last year's NCAA leader in rushing yards per game, alongside a stacked offensive line, the Brown Bears look to improve on a 5-5 record from last season.

This overall record is deceiving, however, as the Bears won four out of their last five games to finish with a 4-3 mark in the Ivy League. Seventh-year head coach Phil Estes will rally his squad in an attempt to continue the season-ending momentum.

Hartigan set a Brown single-season rushing record with 1,498 yards on the ground (149.8 ypg). The All-American also broke the Ivy League rushing record of 1409 yards for a sophomore set by Cornell's Ed Marinaro in 1969.

A staple of the Bears' offense has long been the passing game, and it will continue this year as well. New starting quarterback sophomore Joe DiGiacomo will have big shoes to fill with the graduation of Kyle Slager last year.

DiGiacomo won the starting nod over junior Matt Hostetler, senior Nick Marietti and sophomore Anthony Vita. However, not much has changed with the rest of the offense, with eight returning starters.

Senior co-captain Will Burroughs, a 2003 Ivy League honorable mention, will anchor the offensive line. He will be joined by senior co-captain Lawrence Rubida, who returns to the Bears' lineup after sitting out the 2003 season with an injury. Rubida was rated as one of Brown's top linemen in 2002.

Sophomore Evan Barbosa, junior Michael Cooper, junior Eugene Hamlin and senior Tyler Johnson, among others, round out the front wall. Last year's line paved the way for an offensive total output of 408.5 yards per game.

However, Estes acknowledges there is a little uncertainty as to how the passing offense will fare in the early going.

"It all depends on how the quarterback handles the situation," Estes said. "If he can handle these things well we'll be very good."

"We have some good receivers returning this year," Estes said.

The Bears return junior wide receiver Jordan Pryor, a native of Villanova, Pa.


Pryor "is a Philadelphia player, had some key catches against Dartmouth. Jarrett Schreck also made some big plays. We have a few guys who don't get noticed much, but are big time players," Estes said.

One receiver who figured to play a big role in this year's offense was junior Lonnie Hill, last year's Ivy leader in receptions. However, Hill is taking the year off from school.

Defensive concerns also loom large. Several defensive starters from last year have graduated, and a new wave of players will have to pick up the slack. Brown's defense allowed 369.2 yards per game, which ranked second to last in the Ivy League.

Outside linebacker and senior co-captain Anjel Gutierrez will look to continue his success from last season, during which he earned All-Ivy League honorable mention.

Estes will miss linebacker Drew Gallagher along with defensive end Jesse Hawkins, who tied for second in the league in tackles last year. Christian Garnett and Jason Ching round out a group of four very good defensive players who will have to be replaced this season.

Brown, however, will have some comfort in its strong recruiting class. The Bears have the Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year, running back/linebacker Frank Nuzzo III.

A strong recruiting wave has also been seen throughout the Ancient Eight.

"In the league, I think the team to beat is Yale," Estes said. "They're going to be stacked, when you get that number of returning starters, along with running back and line, I think they'll be a tough team to stop.

"Harvard, if they hold together defensively, will have an opportunity to put a lot of points on the board with [quarterback Ryan] Fitzpatrick returning."

He also noted Penn as a contender, even though he acknowledged the Quakers have lost some "decent players." Some predictions for surprise teams include Dartmouth and Princeton, each of which had a "fluke season last year."

Brown will open the season for the second straight year against Albany at home on Sept. 18. The Bears will face off with Penn Oct. 30 at Franklin Field.

"We'll have a great season this year," Estes said. "We'll need some defensive stops, but our offense should carry us through the season in order to vie for an Ivy League title."

 

[IE]

A breakdown of Princeton's ten 2004 opponents

David Baumgarten
Princetonian Senior Writer

Lafayette

Princeton opens its season with a home night game against Lafayette (2-0 overall), a middle of the pack Patriot league team last year. Although the Tigers lead the all-time series by a whopping 33-4-3 margin ? including a 140-0 win in 1884 ? the Leopards easily defeated the Orange and Black a year ago, 28-13.

Lafayette will enter the game with the advantage of already having two games under its belt. The Leopards may well need that edge to sort out their quarterback situation ? four-year starter Marko Glavic graduated last spring. But running back Joe McCourt, who tore up the Tiger defense to the tune of 108 yards and two touchdowns last year, is back.

San Diego

For the first time in school history, Princeton's football team heads to the West Coast for a game. The Tigers will take on San Diego (1-1), coached by former University of Michigan and Chicago Bears quarterback Jim Harbaugh.

The Toreros, who went 8-2 last season, also open the season with a question mark at quarterback. They seem to have found an answer in their first two games, however, in Todd Mortensen, a 25-year-old graduate student who spent three years as a backup at BYU.

Columbia

The Tigers open their Ivy League slate with a road game against perennial Ancient Eight doormat Columbia. The Lions showed promise under first year coach Bob Shoop last season, finishing 4-6 overall (3-4 Ivy League), including a win over Princeton, after going winless the previous season.

Last year's Columbia game foreshadowed the heartbreaking season to come for the Tigers. The Lions rallied from 20-0 first quarter deficit to win, 33-27, with a 49-yard hail mary on the game's final play. The men who threw and caught that fateful ball, quarterback Jeff Otis and tight end Wade Fletcher, return to lead the Lion's offense.

Colgate

Although Colgate crushed Princeton, 30-3, last season, the loss was one of the Tigers' easiest to swallow ? the Raiders would finish the season 15-1, their only loss coming in the I-AA championship game. They enter this season ranked No. 4 in the nation expected to challenge for the title once again.

But Colgate (0-1) has already been proven beatable this year, falling to Massachusetts in its season opener. That said, with All-American senior running back Jamaal Branch leading the Raider offense, losses will likely be few and far between once again.

Brown

After starting last season 1-4, the young Brown team gelled to finish in a tie for second place in the Ivy League (5-5, 4-3). With All-American junior running back Nick Hartigan, the leading I-AA rusher, and a more experienced offensive line returning, the Bears should get off to a faster start this season.

Princeton won last year's match up, 34-14, despite allowing Hartigan 156 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. The game featured a 99-yard touchdown catch by then junior wide receiver Clint Wu, the longest reception in Ivy League football history.

Harvard

Princeton and Harvard waged a classic back-and-forth battle in Cambridge last season, with the Crimson ultimately prevailing 43-40 in overtime. With senior quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, arguably the best at his position, and a talented offense back, this year's game will likely turn into a high-scoring shootout once again.

Defensively, however, Harvard will be weaker then in the past few years, after losing seven starters. If the replacements can mature quickly, the Crimson will challenge Penn for the league title; if not, they'll be hard-pressed to match last year's 7-3 (4-3) record.

Cornell

Only one team fared worse than Princeton in Ivy League play last year ? the Big Red, who finished 1-9 (0-7). The Tigers' 28-6 victory was one of their few bright spots of the season, as then junior quarterback Matt Verbit tossed three touchdowns.

Unfortunately for new head coach Jim Knowles, who returnees to take the helm of his alma mater, there's little help in sight. Barring a miracle turn around, the Big Red are headed back to the league cellar. On the positive side, All-Ivy punter Mike Baumgartel should get plenty of chances to use his powerful leg.

Penn

After thoroughly outclassing the competition en route to a perfect 10-0 season last year, Penn is the early favorite to take home its third straight Ivy League championship. But they're by no means invincible, after graduating 13 starters, including the Ivy player of the year, quarterback Mike Mitchell.

Still, the Quakers return plenty of offensive firepower, including the All-Ivy tandem of wide receiver Dan Castles and running back Sam Matthews. Matthews and Castles each produced two touchdowns in Penn's 37-7 shellacking of the Tigers last season.

Yale

For all the heartbreak the Tigers suffered last year, no game was more painful then the 27-24 double overtime loss to Yale. The Bulldogs needed a 92-yard drive in the final 63 seconds just to tie the game and only snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in the second extra session when star Princeton receiver B.J. Szymanski fumbled the ball just a few feet short of the end zone.

Yale (6-4, 4-3 last year) returns 19 starters, including all 11 on defense. Senior quarterback Alvin Cowan, who missed most of last season due to injury, returns under center. He'll spend plenty of time handing off to senior running back Robert Carr, who rushed for 10 touchdowns last season.

Dartmouth

Princeton concludes its season with a contest against Dartmouth, one of the four teams that tied for second in the Ivy League last season (5-5, 4-3). But the Big Green are expected to drop a bit this year, after losing All-American tight end Kasey Kramer and All-Ivy wide receiver Jay Barnard.

Dartmouth's defense, which limited the Tigers to five field goals in a 21-15 victory last year, returns nine starters and should be stingy once again. All-Ivy senior defensive end Ryan Conger, who made 14 tackles for loss last year, is the best of the bunch.
========

Defense to control fate of Tigers

Adam Farren


When head coach Roger Hughes was brought to Princeton in 2000 to restore the program to prominence, he was expected to bring a high-powered West Coast offensive system with him that would modernize the Tiger attack. After all, Hughes first made a name for himself when he successfully revitalized Dartmouth's passing game during his stint as offensive coordinator there.
This pedigree meant that Hughes had yet to prove himself as a defensive mastermind when he arrived at Princeton. Now, four years into his stay here and with his first recruiting class graduating in May, it is clear that Hughes has made defense a priority.
There certainly have been some growing pains for Hughes' defenses during his three seasons. Along with 10-year defensive coordinator Steve Verbit, he has had to answer some difficult questions after late-game defensive lapses. In 2003 alone, the secondary gave up game-winning touchdown passes on the last play in two different games. This season, however, the head coach expects completely different things from his defensive unit.
"[The defense is] the strength of this year's squad," Hughes said. "We return both quality and depth at so many key positions."
Secondary
The resurgence of the defense is highlighted by the potential improvements in the secondary from last year.
Last year, the most glaring weakness for the Tigers was the play of the defensive backfield. The primary reason for the unit's struggles was the absence of two of its stalwarts, junior Jay McCareins and senior Brandon Mueller. After starting every game in 2002, both players were lost for all of last year because of academic ineligibility. Their absence forced the Tigers to start three new players in the secondary, including a pair of freshman cornerbacks who had to adjust to the speed of college receivers on the fly.
Last season, the Tigers were victimized by tough veteran quarterbacks. Yale's Alvin Cowen and Harvard's Ryan Fitzpatrick each burned the young defensive backs with last-second touchdown passes. Add in a Hail Mary that gave Columbia its first win at Princeton since 1945, and the secondary gave up more than its share of disastrous plays in 2003.

 

[IE]

The upside to last year's trial by fire is that the young players in the defensive backfield gained some serious seasoning, and what was a weakness last year will be a strength in 2004. Both McCareins and Mueller will be expected to pick up where they left off after exceptional seasons in 2002. McCareins, whose older brother Justin plays wide receiver for the New York Jets, led the team in interceptions as a sophomore with nine. Mueller, as a junior free safety, was a versatile stopper in both the running and passing game.
Factor in Erick Strickland, who as a freshman last year started every game at cornerback, and Nick Brown, a senior who returns from a shoulder injury that sidelined him for most of last year, and Tiger fans may be able to relax when an opposing quarterback drops back to pass.
Strickland moves over to strong safety this season, where his combination of height and speed will make him dangerous. Brown saw plenty of action as the nickel back in 2002. His football instincts will be especially important in executing the multiple defensive coverages that the Tigers will use to shut down Ivy and Patriot League opponents.
Linebackers
If the Tiger defensive backs can rise to the challenge in the passing game, their opponents may have serious difficulty on offense. Running the ball through or around Princeton's linebacking core should prove extremely difficult this season. The Tigers return the first-team All-Ivy League middle linebackers from both 2002 and 2003 ?senior Zak Keasey and junior Justin Stull, respectively. In 2002, Keasey led the team in tackles for the second straight year. Like McCareins and Mueller, Keasey was unable to play in 2003 due to academic ineligibility.
Into his large shoes stepped Stull, a top Tiger recruit who was suddenly asked to anchor the defense as a sophomore. Stull surpassed everyone's expectations with a dominant year that included 114 tackles and ended with his being named Princeton's first junior captain since Wayne Harding in 1943.
Stull will shift to the weak side linebacker spot, leaving him with room to run while the more physical Keasey takes on linemen from his spot in the middle. On the strong side the Tigers will employ the combination of juniors Abi Fadeyi and Alan Borelli, both of whom have the speed to run with the fast and physical tight ends in the Ivy League.
"The linebackers are our strongest position this season," Hughes said.
Defensive line
The linebackers will have to be physical as well as fast, because they will be counted on to pick up the slack while the defensive unit's only new starters ? the defensive ends ? cut their teeth as every-down players. Last season's defensive ends Tim Kirby '04 and Joe Weiss '04 were Princeton's best football players. Each earned first-team All-Ivy League honors in their final season together.
Stepping into the void created by their graduation are the relatively inexperienced Chris Browne and James Williams. Browne, a senior, and Williams, a junior, are both strong, athletic players who, despite seeing little time behind Kirby and Weiss last year, will be expected to contribute immediately.
The interior linemen, junior Ben Breilmaier and senior Pete Kelly, will also be expected to solidify their play as they enter their second season as starters. Kelly started all 10 games last year, recording 17 tackles but no sacks, and Breilmaier recorded 10 tackles in spot duty as a starter. Both players bulked up in the off-season with the hope that they can stuff the middle effectively for the Tigers.
In the end, the key to the season may be how well the players fit with each other. The best defensive teams develop a swagger that comes with the confidence that they can shut the other team down. If the Tigers can develop that kind of chemistry this season, they may replace the memories of last year's tough losses with some much sweeter dreams of victory.

 

[Master Capper]

IE:

You know of any place that has a number on Mount Union and John Carroll this saturday?

 

[IE]

not offhand, maybe check 5dimes...

 

[Mr Hockey]

Master: I spoke with 5 Dimes & they said they won't have a line up on the game.

 

[Master Capper]

thanks guys!

 

[hawkeye]

So what do yuo thin about the Holy Cross game total of 67"? Penn -23 over San Deigo? and Bucknell 24 over Cornell? Thanks for any input-GL

 

[yak merchant]

After way too much reading I played these.

Yale -5.5
Cornell +24.5
Cornell/Bucknell over 45 small

4 team 13 point Tease
Harvard -13.5/Colgate -8/South Florida + 25.5/Princeton under 57.5