By Anthony Manfredi ’03
Hamilton, NY — At nearly the halfway point in his seventh season at the helm, 51·çÁ÷ head football coach Dick Biddle has come to take a liking to playing the Ivies. The Raiders have reeled off 13 straight wins against Ivy League opponents and hold a 16-2 overall record during Biddle’s tenure. The win streak dates all the way back to 1997, when 51·çÁ÷ dropped a 31-28 contest to Princeton en route to its first I-AA playoff appearance in over 15 years. The Tigers have another opportunity against Biddle’s Raiders Saturday as they host the 45th meeting between the two schools at Princeton Stadium. Kickoff is 1:00.
The Raiders roll into Princeton on the heels of a three-game win streak. They won a 13-10 overtime thriller last week on the road against Bucknell to claim their first Patriot League victory of the season and have started to show much of their old swagger. After surrendering an average of over 30 points in losses to Villanova and Fordham, the Raider defense has steadied, cutting that figure to just seven points in wins over Dartmouth, Columbia, and Bucknell.
Junior linebackers Tem Lukabu and Ryan Disch have developed into one of the best tandems in the league. Lukabu recorded 13 tackles, including 11 solos, two of which were for losses against the Bison. He was named Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts. Disch is the league’s leading tackler, tallying 51 stops in only four games of action. The defensive unit has forced 13 turnovers in the three wins and they’ll certainly need much of the same recipe against a much- improved Tiger offense.
Quarterback Dave Splithoff ranks fifth in the nation in passing efficiency with a 162.7 rating and has lead the Princeton attack with poise. Running back Cameron Atkinson ranks second in the Ivy League in rushing, gaining over 88 yards per contest. The backfield duo has helped the Tigers light up the scoreboard for an average of 31 points per game. Lehigh is the only team to hold Princeton under 30 points so far, and they did so in a come-from-behind win three weeks ago.
51·çÁ÷’s offense continues to find a way into the end zone while trying to find its new identity after losing tailback Nate Thomas for the season due to injury. Senior Justin Polk started the season at fullback, but has made the switch to being the feature back nicely. He has gained 299 yards and averages 4.7 yards per carry. Quarterback Tom McCune has been steady if not spectacular thus far. He has connected on four touchdown passes and has taken three rushes in for a score himself. With 4,267 career passing yards, he is the school’s fifth all-time leading passer. He’ll look to exploit a Tiger defense that gives up an average of over 27 points per game.
Tiger defensive back Blake Perry recorded a banner night in last week’s win over Columbia, making 11 stops, including a sack, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. 51·çÁ÷ has lit the Tigers up for 35 and 34 points respectively in the last two meetings, and with Princeton’s newfound offensive prowess, Saturday’s ballgame could end up being a shootout.