Failure to launch

Princeton football lost 38–7 to The Citadel in its season opener at Princeton Stadium Sept. 19. Missed scoring chances and turnovers plagued the Tigers, who dropped their opening game for the third straight year.  

“Obviously, we’re disappointed,” head coach Roger Hughes said afterward. “I’m not sure they’re 31 points better than we are, but clearly, we didn’t take advantage of the opportunities we had.”  

In the opening quarter, sophomore quarterback Tommy Wornham, making his first collegiate start, led the Tigers on a seven-play, 42-yard scoring drive, finding receiver Jeb Heavenrich ’11 in the end zone for a five-yard touchdown toss. With the extra point, Princeton led 7–0.  

The Citadel narrowed the gap with a first-quarter field goal. Minutes later, Princeton’s defense made a key stand at the goal line, turning the Bulldogs back on a fourth-and-goal play from the one-yard line. But The Citadel rebounded late in the second quarter, scoring on a 12-yard touchdown pass and taking a 10–7 lead.

Wornham led a long drive early in the third quarter, giving Princeton a chance to tie the game with a field goal, but Ben Bologna ’10’s kick caromed off the right goalpost. The Bulldogs marched down the field, scoring a touchdown to extend the lead to 17–7.  

The next 10 minutes provided a bit of déjà vu — Princeton missed another field goal (this time, the kick was blocked), and The Citadel replied with another touchdown.  

The Bulldogs intercepted two Wornham passes in the fourth quarter, setting up two more touchdowns and turning the game into a blowout. It was Princeton’s worst loss since 2002, when Penn topped the Tigers 44–13.