PRINCETON, N.J. – Saturday afternoon got started with a lightning delay, not a kickoff, that caused the start of a first-place Ivy League clash to be halted for over an hour and half. Once kickoff finally commenced, Yale and No. 22 went toe-to-toe for a strong first half of football before the Tigers pulled away late, 35-20.
 
Yale got rushing touchdowns from quarterback Nolan Grooms and running back Spencer Alston in the second quarter for a 14-7 lead midway through the period. Princeton was able to tie it up, but Yale drove late In the quarter and added a 43-yard field goal from Jack Bosman for a 17-14 advantage with less than a minute left.
 
Princeton again answered with a touchdown however; this one with just three seconds left in the half. From there, it was strong Tiger play on offense and defense that limited Yale to just three second half points.
 
"Princeton played a heck of game. They earned it and outplayed us today," said head coach Tony Reno. "We were never able to get in a rhythm. We had some moments in the first half where we were doing some good things, but we gave up some big plays and did not play great team football. We have a week to correct those mistakes and get ready for our next challenge."

Yale was held to 167 yards of offense while Princeton put forth 364, including 243 in the air.
 
The Tigers got touchdowns three minutes and six minutes into the third quarter to pull away, 35-17.
 
Bosman added a second field goal, this one from 27 yards out with just under four minutes left in the third quarter. It proved to be the final points of the game.
 
Yale's defense stepped up for the final 20 minuets, forcing several turnovers and punts to give the offense a chance. Princeton's defensive unit was up to the challenge though as it recorded two interceptions late which sealed the game.
 
Junior defensive lineman Adam Raine had a team-high nine tackles while fellow trenchmate and sophomore Clay Patterson had six stops, a sack and a blocked field goal.
 
Alston led the offense with 47 rushing yards to go along with three catches. He also posted a highlight score that saw him rush from five yards out and take to the air, diving over a defender for the touchdown.
 
The Bulldogs stand at 4-2 in Ivy League play with The Game set to cap the 2021 season. Kickoff for the 137^th playing of The Game is set for noon in New Haven. ESPNU will cover all the action from the Yale Bowl.