RAIN MAN: Princeton University running back Joe Rhattigan heads upfield in recent action. Last Friday night, junior star Rhattigan sloshed through the rain for 85 yards rushing to help Princeton top Columbia 10-5 in the Ivy League opener for both teams. The Tigers, now 3-0 overall and 1-0 Ivy, host Colgate on October 10. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

The conditions were miserable as the Princeton University football team hosted Columbia last Friday evening in the Ivy League opener for both squads, with a driving rain, winds gusting over 20 miles an hour, and the temperature hovering in the high 40s.

While the harsh weather kept the crowd to a few hundred in the stands at Princeton Stadium, Tiger running back Joe Rhattigan felt right at home.

“Obviously with the conditions tonight, it is harder to throw the ball but I enjoyed the game,” said Rhattigan, a 6’0, 205-pound native of Naperville, Ill. “I enjoy running the ball. I got some opportunities and I took advantage of them.”

Utilizing his battering ram style, Rhattigan rushed for 85 yards on 25 carries to help Princeton overcome Columbia 10-5 as the Tigers improved to 3-0 overall and 1-0 Ivy.

Rhattigan’s rugged jaunts helped Princeton run out the clock as the Tigers held the ball for the last 4:13 of the contest, denying Columbia one last shot for a win.

“We were ready to go, we had something to prove,” said Rhattigan, who rushed for 23 yards on five carries in that series.

“We had been stalled out a couple of times in the middle of the game. When it comes crunch time, it is time to go.”

In Rhattigan’s view, that last possession symbolized Princeton’s mentality this year in crunch time.

“I think coach (Bob) Surace hit the nail on the head after the game when he told us it is all about heart,” said Rhattigan, who has 213 yards rushing on the season, second best on the Tigers behind senior DiAndre Atwater’s total of 245.

“What it comes down to is who wants to be out there and who wants to play. We had to finish and that is what we did.”

Princeton head coach Surace, for his part, praised his team’s resolve as it won ugly on an ugly night.

“To be a good team you have to overcome injuries, you have to overcome weather, you have to overcome an officiating mistake, you have to overcome a coaching mistake,” said Surace, noting that his team suffered a number of injuries with such key performers as Atwater, running back Dre Nelson, defensive back Max Lescano,  and defensive lineman Kurt Holuba all getting hurt in the contest.

“Those are things you have to do and our guys found a way. That was a gutsy job.”

In the early going, things were going well for Princeton. The Tigers took a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter as John Lovett hit Trevor Osborne with a five-yard touchdown pass.

Later in the quarter, Princeton increased its lead to 10-0 as Nolan Bieck hit a 45-yard field goal.

But then the Tiger offense stalled as Columbia started moving the ball behind the running of Cameron Molina. In the waning moments of the second half, the Lions narrowed the gap to 10-3 on a 33-yard field goal by Cameron Nizalek.

Midway through the third quarter, Columbia seemingly seized momentum as it blocked a punt for a safety to make it a 10-5 game.

But the Princeton defense shut the door from that point, holding Columbia to three first downs over the rest of the game. In addition, the Tigers forced four turnovers, with interceptions by Khamal Brown, John Hill, and Andrew Frisby along with a recovered fumble by Khalil Bryant.

“The one area where we handled the elements well was the turnover battle,” said Surace. “Our defense really came up with some key turnovers. I don’t think our offense had a turnover.”

Princeton junior linebacker Rohan Hylton, who spearheaded the defensive effort with a game-high 12 tackles, was proud of how his unit stepped up.

“Things happen, there is always adversity,” said Hylton. “You have got to bounce back from it. It is a team game so if offense isn’t doing too well, the defense has got to go there and make stops. We had a couple of good plays. Just like when the defense isn’t playing well, we expect the offense to go put some points up.”

The 5’11, 220-pound Hylton made some bone-rattling stops to help put the clamps on the Lions and fire up the Princeton sideline.

“I think it is definitely nice to go out there and make plays if you are in position,” said Hylton. “That is all coaching last week, they put you in good position. I am where I am supposed to be so I have got to make a play.”

Surace likes where his squad is at, with Princeton posting a 3-0 record for the first time since 2006.

“To win when you score 52 and to win when you score 10, that says something about your team,” said Surace, whose team will look to stay on the winning track when it hosts Colgate (2-3) on October 10.

Rhattigan, for his part, believes that this Princeton team can do some special things this fall.

“I have full faith in our defense and full faith in our offense,” said Rhattigan. “We are going to play as hard as we can.”