Princeton crushes Cornell to set up undefeated showdown
PRINCETON >> Tom Johnson had long exited the game by the time the fourth quarter started, but Princeton’s senior linebacker still wanted the reserves to finish the shutout. Mission accomplished. The undefeated 17thranked Tigers had four interceptions, blocked a punt and racked up 358 yards on the ground en route to a 66-0 victory over Cornell on Saturday afternoon.
“We’ve been close a couple times and it’s great to see our younger guys go out there and get a chance to contribute,” Johnson said. “They got a couple of good stops there, so good to see.”
Princeton 66 points were its most ever against a conference opponent since the Ivy League started playing football in 1955. It was also the second time the Tigers scored 60 or more and fourth time they went over the 50-point mark.
“It starts up front like any other week,” said quarterback John Lovett, who had 162 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. “The guys who carry the ball weren’t going down after the first hit, keeping their feet moving. We were getting first downs and being fast and physical. We want to score touchdowns on every single drive we have.”
The offense started in Big Red (3-4, 2-2) territory on its first three touchdown drives and built a 45-0 lead by halftime.
“To get the scores after the field position was huge,” coach Bob Surace said. “If you keep running to the ball and doing things that way, the turnovers can come in bunch. There were four straight drives where there was either a turnover or a blocked punt. That got us plus-field position.”
TJ Floyd had a pair of interceptions, while Jeremiah Tyler and Trevor Forbes had one each. Harrison Caponiti also blocked a punt that set Princeton up at the Cornell 40.
Charlie Volker scored three rushing touchdowns to give him 32 for his career, which moved him past Cosmo Iacavazzi int a tie for fourth all-time.
The defense has matched the offense every step of the way in what could be an historic season. Princeton has allowed more than 10 points once and just 64 all season for a 9.1 average.
“Any time we can get off the field (with a turnover), that’s what we want,” Johnson said. “Credit to the guys up front because we’re getting batted balls, they’re getting tipped up and they’re flying around.”
Princeton (7-0, 4-0) set itself up for huge showdown next week against No. 20 Dartmouth (7-0, 4-0).
“We’re always focused on being the best version of us,” Johnson said. “We came prepared this week and we’re just trying to be as prepared as we can be.”