PRINCETON, N.J. ‘ Junior tailback Jamaal Branch carried 31 times for 191 yards and three touchdowns to lead undefeated and nationally-ranked ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ (6-0) to a 30-3 non-conference win over Princeton Saturday at Princeton Stadium.
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The Raiders extended the nation’s longest winning streak in Division I-AA to 12 straight games, as they won for the eighth straight time on the road. This is ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ’s best start since the 1977 season when the Raiders won their first 10 games.
It was a measure of revenge for the Raiders, whose last setback came at the hands of Princeton last season, 14-10. ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ has won 17 of its last 18 games against Ivy League teams.
While ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ was able to generate 421 yards of total offense, it was a strong defensive effort that helped the Raiders post the victory. They held Princeton to a season low three points and 231 yards ‘ 62 rushing and 169 passing.
Over the last eight seasons, ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ has held the opposition to under 100 yards rushing 38 times, and are 36-2 while doing so.
The Raiders’ defense was at its best in the second quarter when ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ turned the pigskin over four times, but held the Tigers to three points on a late field goal.
ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ took a 7-0 lead on its first possession of the game driving 70 yards in 10 plays with Chris Brown throwing a 14-yard TD strike to J.B. Gerald. Gerald finished with five catches for 66 yards.
Princeton fumbled on its first play of the ensuing possession, when Ryan Disch caused Tiger running back Jon Veach to fumble and Ryan Miller recovered at the Princeton 24. ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ took quick advantage, when Branch bolted up the middle for his first TD of the game on the first play giving the Raiders a 14-0 lead.
The Raiders upped their lead to 20-0 in the second quarter, when Branch capped a 67-yard drive in 10 plays with a 17-yard run around the right corner. The touchdown came right after Branch had caught a 14-yard pass on fourth-and-two at the Princeton 31.
Princeton’s only points of the game came with 1:08 left in the first half on a 25-yard field goal by Elliot Bishop, after the Tigers recovered a fumble at the ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ 14.
Lane Schwarzberg kicked a 39-yard field goal in the third quarter to make it 23-3. His fourth straight field goal equaled his career long.
ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ’s final points came on a 12-yard run by Branch with 13:48 left in the contest. It was the second time in his career that Branch has scored three touchdowns in a game.
GAME NOTES: Branch needs 22 yards to become the 10th player in school history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season. He is now 16th on ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ’s all-time rushing list with 1,570 yards ‘ Luke Graham, who had three receptions for 56 yards, has moved into sixth place in career receiving yardage with 1,713 yards. He became the eighth player in school history to reach 100 receptions in a career. He is tied for eighth all-time with 101 ‘ Tem Lukabu had eight tackles, including five TFL’s, two quarterback sacks and three passes broken up, while Ryan Disch made seven tackles, caused one fumble, intercepted one pass and had one pass broken up ‘ Antrell Tyson had his first career interception.