Lafayette ends 12-game losing streak to Tigers, wins at Princeton for first time since 1982

PRINCETON, N.J. (AP) Blamassi Meite turned in pivotal big plays on defense and Lafayette held on to beat Princeton 12-9 on Saturday, winning its fourth straight and ending a 12-game losing streak to the Tigers.

Meite sacked Blake Stenstrom in the end zone with 1:57 to go and ensure the Leopards' their first 5-1 start since 2009 and better their 2022 win total. Meite also had a fumble recovery deep in Lafayette territory after Billy Shaeffer strip-sacked Stenstrom. Shaeffer had two of the Leopards’ seven sacks.

The Leopards last beat the Tigers in 2004 with their last win at Princeton (2-2) coming in 1982. It’s only their fifth win in 53 meetings since 1883. Their only loss this season was at Duke.

The Leopards held the Tigers to 3 yards rushing with Stenstrom passing 35 times, completing 26 for 310 yards and a touchdown.

Dean Nobile was 20-of-28 passing for 177 yards and a score for Lafayette with Jamar Curtis adding 83 yards on 22 carries.

DeNobile found Mason Gilbert down the left side at the goal line for a 15-yard touchdown with 26 seconds left in the first half and a 10-9 lead.

After the teams exchanged field goals. Stenstrom threw an 11-yard TD pass to Luke Colella in the final minute of the first quarter to give Princeton a 9-3 lead after the PAT missed.

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