Princeton's old Palmer Stadium was pretty, but started to fall into disrepair
Columbia's annual game against Princeton has almost always been a major bellwether for the season at large... and that's been true for most of the last 100 years, not just since the official formation and start of Ivy League play in 1956.
You didn't know 2017 was going to be a special year until the Lions pulled out that dramatic 28-24 win on national TV at Princeton Stadium. And you knew Columbia probably wasn't championship material after losing to the Tigers every year since.
So many of Columbia's highest highs and lowest lows have come in games against their closest Ivy neighbors to the south. The 1933 CU team that went on the win the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day 1934 had one loss. You guessed it, it was to Princeton. The 1961 Ivy championship team's one conference loss was to Princeton. The 1988 game that end Columbia's then-record 44-game losing streak? Yep, it was a win over Princeton.
Last year, the Lions were exposed a bit in a 24-6 loss at home to the Tigers; a defeat that makes more sense now that we know then-starting QB Joe Green was suffering from a shoulder injury. But his injuries aside, Columbia committed some of its biggest blunders of the years in the contest and continued that sloppier play at crucial times until thankfully turning it around in week eight at Harvard and through the rest of the season.
Of course, the first Ivy game of the year would be super crucial whether it was against Princeton or not. But there's something about playing the Tigers that seems to test this program more than anyone else. Perhaps it's because Princeton is a school that is so different in setting and character from the urban Columbia landscape. Perhaps it's the proximity the two campuses share.
This year, Lion fans hope there is truth to a impression many Ivy experts have that this is a rebuilding year of sorts for the Tigers while Columbia is ready to roar a little louder .
9 comments:
Loved Palmer Stadium! While I was impressed with the new Princeton Stadium, I'm not sure it has aged all that well...
I predict that the rain is a friend. Lions 17-12
The new stadium has no soul
A 22-20 victory at Baker Field, on October 2, 1971, broke a losing streak versus the “Old Nassau” that extended back to 1945.
This year is one we have to have.
Go Lions.
Defense was just superb ...great effort ..congrats to the players and to the defense coach ..
Fabish should have put in Green ..play calling was Fabish dull. ..interim coach ..
The season can turn around still...we have great receivers...
Green should start against Marist - should have started tonight...
I agree 100%, Arthur. Bell is not the answer, and as much as I backed him as the starter before the season began, I have no problem admitting I was wrong. Green should be given a shot. The defense played really well tonight, but the offense was nonexistent. The missed field goal also hurt, as did our not taking three points on the subsequent drive. Play calling on offense was quite bad, especially in the second half—too predictable and too conservative. I think Green needs to play if for no other reason than because we need an QB who can throw a vertical pass.
Generally, when you have an easy short field goal chance early on, I say take the three points or you may
regret it later.
That’s what happened here. Too bad, but not a catastrophe.
However, a winning team needs ALL its weapons.
Princeton Stadium is the class of the league for stadiums built in the last 100 years.
Let’s face it, you can’t win many games when your offense scores 3 points. Although, with Columbia’s great D and Townsend’s pick 6 they came within 2 min and 3 successful Princeton 4th down conversions of getting the win. Someone mentioned about Townsend moving to middle linebacker, he would have 10 tackles and 3 sacks a game. He causes many QB hurries every game and has great football instincts. The Columbia Defense should keep them in many games this year, let’s hope the offense picks it up and we could have a winning season.
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