The Morrison, IL, Mustangs invited the Princeton, IL, Tigers onto E. M. “Bud” Cole Field for the first time and sent them home with a surprising 13-12 defeat. A cool, Friday, September 2, 2016, night air set the stage for a revitalized Mustang defense. They held the Tigers to only four running plays over ten yards and less than 100 yards on the night. A couple big plays–at a critical time–made the difference in a hard-fought game.
The first quarter saw both teams trying to find a game plan. Princeton ended their two possessions with punts. Morrison turned the ball over on downs and punted to start the second quarter. 
Morrison opened the second quarter with a ten-play drive highlighted by a 14-yard pass completion from quarterback Dylan Keller to Ethan Fischbach. But the drive ended when a bad fourth down snap soared over punter Fischbach‘s head and the Tigers took possession on the Mustangs 34-yard line. Morrison retrieved possession on the next play on a fumble recovery by Keller. The offense marched into the endzone seven play later, on a one-yard dive by Aaron Deter. Fischbach‘s extra point attempt squirted left, and the Mustangs owned a 6-0 lead with only 2:29 left in the half. Princeton downed the kickoff on their own 24-yard line and immediately completed a 39-yard pass to their big tight end Colten Youngren. Three plays later, quarterback Garrett Allen found halfback Blake Jannsen, for a 20-yard pass completion that ended on the Mustang 10-yard line. Allen rolled right on the next snap and followed blockers into the endzone, to tie the game 6-6. The extra point was blocked by Morrison. Offensive yardage revealed no advantage: Morrison’s total yardage equaled 90, and Princeton’s equaled 87.
The defenses continued to dominate throughout the third quarter. Morrison failed to earn a first down in the third quarter on three possessions. Princeton finally scored with 1:06 left in the quarter to take a 12-6 lead, when Allen again connected with Youngren from 16 yards out.
The fourth quarter started with Morrison owning the ball at midfield. Coach Cory Bielema refused to punt on a fourth-and-three on the Princeton 44 yard line and earned a first down. That decision motivated a drive that crossed the goal line eight plays later, on a five-yard run by Keller. A 30-yard pass completion, from Keller to Jarrett Ruchotzke, highlighted the drive. Fischbach‘s extra point attempt followed a high snap and only cleared the crossbar by inches, but it still put the Mustangs up 13-12 with 6:51 remaining in the game. Princeton had a three-and-out and gave Morrison possession on their own 31-yard line. Deter gained two yards, before Ruchotzke broke over left tackle for a 48-yard gain. The Mustangs moved inside the 20 with 2:48 left on the clock. 
Failing on a fourth down set the stage for the dramatic ending, with Princeton having possession on their own 10-yard line and 2:21 left on the clock. Allen immediately connected with Youngren for nine yards, and Brett Emerson broke loose on a 16-yard scamper, before the Mustang defense really stepped up. Fischbach‘s timely hit on Youngren caused an incompletion on first down. Grant Slater stepped between blockers and sacked Allen for a five-yard loss on second down. Strong MHS defensive pressure forced Allen to throw wildly on third down. The game climaxed on the fourth down snap from the Princeton 29-yard line. Allen dropped back, looking in the left flat for Austin Wetsel. Wetsel jumped high for the pass with Fischbach on his side. The pass was tipped by Wetsel into the hands of Jacob Edner, three yards downfield. Edner could not control the ball, and he hit the ground. The Tigers were forced to turn to ball over to Morrison with 38.6 seconds remaining. After two kneedowns, the Mustangs celebrated a hard-fought victory of 13-12.
Princeton 0-6-6-0 = 12
Morrison 0-6-0-7 = 13
Morrison: Rushing 170 yards Deter = 52 yards; J. Ruchotzke = 53 yards
Passing: Keller 6 for 14 = 75 yards
Princeton: Rushing 98 yards
Passing: Allen 7 for 14 = 122 yards