Courtesy: Princeton Athletic Communications Senior Jordan Culbreath is coming off a 1200-yard rushing performance in the 2008 season.

It was August 7 when members of The Citadel football team began preseason camp with hopes of improving on its seventh-place projection in the loaded Southern Conference.

Eighteen days later, preseason camp ended.

Nineteen days later, preseason camp started at Princeton.

On Sept. 5, The Citadel opened its 2009 season against the University of North Carolina, an FCS program ranked in the national Top 20.

That same day, Princeton scrimmaged Rowan University, a Division III program that is hoping to win the New Jersey Athletic Conference.

All things are never equal when Ivy League teams begin a football season, but by opening kickoff Saturday afternoon (3 p.m., Verizon FIOS ONE, GoPrincetonTigers.com, WPRB 103.3 FM), none of that will matter. Instead, two teams with plenty to prove in 2009 will look for their first victory of the season and a springboard into challenging conference schedules.

The home team, beginning its 141st season of college football, is coming off consecutive 4-6 seasons and has far higher expectations this year. With experience on both sides of the ball and exciting newcomers filling important positions, the coaching staff has worked tirelessly trying to meld the two into one cohesive unit. The players did their part; more than 60 stayed around campus to work out and work together. The team was already one step ahead when the preseason started (even if that was still several steps behind The Citadel at that same moment).

Opening Day is meant to be exciting, because anything remains possible. On Saturday, fans and players alike will return to Powers Field at Princeton Stadium, where one of college football’s most historic programs will look to make history once again.

GAME NOTES • WEEK 1

Opening Act • In the last six years, Princeton has gone 3-3 in its opening games. In the three seasons following a win, Princeton has gone 21-9; in the three seasons following a loss, Princeton has gone 10-20.

Late Bloomers • Like its fellow Ivy League programs, Princeton will open the season well after the rest of the nation. To compare Princeton and The Citadel:

Home Sweet Home • Princeton has won four of its last five home openers, including last season’s 10-7 overtime win against Lehigh in Week 2.

Half And Half • When Princeton and The Citadel met for the first time last season, the Tigers outscored the Bulldogs 17-7 in the first half. In the second half, The Citadel scored the first 30 points and finished with a 30-7 edge.

Block Party • The turning point last season was a 25-yard blocked punt return for a touchdown by Reggie Rice early in the third quarter. That ignited the 30-0 scoring edge for The Citadel, the longest such scoring edge against Princeton at any point last season.

The Jordan Rules • Senior captain Jordan Culbreath is the reigning Ivy League rushing champion after recording 1,206 yards on the ground last season. He was one of two unanimous first-team All-Ivy selections in 2008.

Happy Memories • In Jordan Culbreath’s last game on Powers Field, he rushed for 276 yards and two touchdowns in a 28-10 victory over Dartmouth. The total was the second-most in Princeton history and the fifth-most in Ivy League history.

Carrying The Load • In Princeton’s four wins last season, Jordan Culbreath averaged 158 rushing yards on 26 carries per game. In the six losses, including the 37-24 loss to The Citadel, Culbreath averaged 95.7 rushing yards on 18.2 carries per game.

Chart Toppers • Jordan Culbreath has a chance to join elite company this season. He could be the second Princeton running back to ever gain 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons, joining Keith Elias. With 1,051 yards, Culbreath would become only the third Princeton runner to rush for more than 2,500 career yards, joining Elias and Judd Garrett.

Line ’Em Up • Princeton returns four starters from a 2008 offensive line that helped the Tigers rank first in the Ivy League in rushing. Senior Mark Paski has started every game at tackle since he stepped on campus, an unprecedented feat in 140 years of Tiger football. J.P. Makrai has started 26 straight games, Andrew Hauser has started every game since his sophomore season and Marc Daou started several games as a sophomore and every game as a junior.

Four For Four • For the fourth straight season, a new quarterback will start the opener. After seniors Jeff Terrell, Bill Foran and Brian Anderson started each of the last three seasons, sophomore Tommy Wornham will start today’s game.

Sophomore Jinx • The last Princeton sophomore to start the season opener at quarterback was David Splithoff, who guided the Tigers to a 3-6 record in 2001. Splithoff had started two games as a freshman and threw for 289 yards in a single game (Brown, 2000). Wornham completed two passes last season for a total of nine yards.

Inside Information • Princeton returns a pair of All-Ivy inside linebackers in senior Scott Britton and junior Steven Cody. Both ranked in the Ivy League Top 10 in tackles last season. Cody led Princeton in tackles last season with 85; no sophomore has led Princeton in tackles since three-time All-Ivy selection Justin Stull did so in 2003.

Welcome Back • Senior John Callahan, who played quality minutes during the 2006 championship season, missed all of last season with a torn ACL. He is fully healthy and will start, along with Brad Stetler, at outside linebacker.

Back Up • Princeton returns three starters in the defensive backfield, including Cart Kelly, who will make his 21st straight start at cornerback this weekend. Wilson Cates and Dan Kopolovich were starting safeties last season.

Full Of Bologna • Senior Ben Bologna (pronounced bahl-LO-nya) returns as the starting placekicker and will also handle punting duties to start the season. Bologna made 5-of-6 field goal attempts last season while senior Connor Louden was injured. Princeton has had an All-Ivy punter for each of the last six years (Colin McDonough 2003-06, Ryan Coyle 2007-08).

Oh Captain, Our Captains • For the first time in school history, Princeton will use four captains this season. Seniors Mark Paski and Jordan Culbreath will share the offensive responsibilities, while classmates Scott Britton and Wilson Cates will share the defensive responsibilities.

Spinning A Web • The official Princeton athletics web site, www.GoPrincetonTigers.com, has a new partner,www.GoPrincetonTigers.tv. Princeton football fans will be able to find pre- and post-game stories, as well as features, videos, live and replayed games, game highlights, audio interviews, statistics, future schedules and much more. You can also listen live to Ed Benkin and Dan Loney broadcast each game on either GoPrincetonTigers.com or on WPRB 103.3 FM.

The Crystal Ball • Princeton will head to Lehigh next weekend for its first road game of the season. The two teams have split the last four meetings, although the Tigers won the only game of the four played in Bethlehem to open their 2006 championship season.

The Powers That Be • Princeton will return to Powers Field at Princeton Stadium on Oct. 3 when the Tigers host Columbia at 3 p.m. in the Ivy League opener. Princeton has won five straight against the Lions and has averaged 42.5 points in its last two home games against Columbia, although the Lions showed improvement last season and were picked just behind Princeton in the preseason poll. Tickets are still available and can be purchased on GoPrincetonTigers.com or by calling 609-258-4TIX (4849).

Last Season: The Citadel 37, Princeton 24

CHARLESTON, S.C. - Princeton came out in its 2008 season opener at The Citadel ready to rid itself of any bad taste from the previous season. It came out aggressive, determined and, ultimately, successful. The 22nd-ranked Citadel team came out of halftime with similar feelings and even better execution, and those pushed the talented Bulldog squad to a 37-24 win over the Tigers.

Trailing 17-7 at halftime, The Citadel used a blocked punt returned for a touchdown to ignite a 20-0 run that sent the Bulldogs to their second win of the season. A long punt return from Bulldog All-America receiver Andre Roberts, who scored twice in the win, also helped the home team during the decisive third quarter.

Princeton, which dealt with a raucous crowd of 13,120 at Johnson Hagood Stadium, did show several positive signs as it drew closer to the Ivy League season. The offense gained 358 yards, including 206 in the air, and Jordan Culbreath rushed for a game-high 74 yards and a touchdown. Culbreath showed early flashes of what would be Princeton’s best season for a running back since Keith Elias’ senior season. Senior quarterback Brian Anderson completed 20-of-41 passes, including two touchdowns, and threw his only interception in desperation time.

Sophomore Trey Peacock topped his entire 2007 total with seven catches for 47 yards, while both Matt Zimmerman and Adam Berry scored touchdowns.

Sophomore inside linebacker Steven Cody made his first start count, recording 11 tackles, including five solo stops. Tri-captain Matt Koch had seven tackles, while junior Wilson Cates had six tackles and an interception. Senior Collin McCarthy added five tackles and a sack on The Citadel’s first offensive play of the game.

After a successful opening drive yielded a 31-yard field goal for Connor Louden, Princeton scored on two touchdown drives in the second quarter, including one that ended with 18 seconds remaining.

The Citadel blocked Princeton’s first punt of the second half and scored on the return. That ignited a 30-0 run that pushed the Bulldogs to their second win of the season. Berry’s 13-yard touchdown to end the game got Princeton to within 13 points; despite recovering an onsides kick, Princeton couldn’t get closer.