Keep It Classi

TigerBlog remembers the news about Shoichi Yokoi like it was yesterday, even if it actually was 50 years ago yesterday.

If the name isn't familiar, Shoichi Yokoi was the Japanese soldier who hid in the jungles of Guam, with his home in a cave, for nearly 28 years after World War II ended because his orders were not to surrender. He was finally discovered on Jan. 24, 1972, which was 50 years ago yesterday.

After the discovery, Yokoi was the subject of several documentaries. On the flip side, his story also became perfect fodder for sitcoms (including Gilligan's Island) and comedians everywhere. 

TB didn't realize that Yokoi would live another 25 years after his discovery. In fact, he returned to Japan and got married before passing away in 1997 at age 82. 

For his part, TigerBlog cannot imagine lasting 28 days, or possibly even 28 hours, in a cave, unless it had really good WiFi and nearby take-out. In all seriousness, Yokoi survived all that time on whatever grew in the area and whatever he could catch. 

It's an extraordinary story. Check out one of the documentaries if you'd like to learn more.

TigerBlog has never been to Japan, or the Far East. The idea of a flight that long is a bit much for him. 

The Ivy League football senior all-star team took the trip last week for the Dream Bowl, which the Ivy League would win 24-20. It was way closer than any Ivy Epson Bowl had ever been.

Former Penn quarterback Ryan Glover scored the game-winning touchdown on an 18-yard run with 11 minutes to go. Prior to that, the Japanese team was ahead 20-17 after Trashaun Nixon's one-yard TD run in the third quarter.

Nixon finished with 101 yards rushing on 20 carries, as well as four receptions for 70 yards, while his teammate Samajile Grant had seven catches for 91 yards. Both are former American college players, with Nixon from New Mexico State and Grant from Arizona. The team also featured several Division II players, though the majority of the team was made up of Japanese natives, including both quarterbacks in the game, who combined to go 21 for 43 for 261 yards and a TD.

As the Princeton contingent, the Tiger defenders — Dawson De Iuliis, Michael Azevedo, C.J. Wall, Ike Hall and James Stagg — combined for seven tackles, and Will Powers punted six times, with a long of 53 and four of his six inside the 20. Offensive lineman Connor Scaglione was also on the team.

Keeping up with the Princeton football theme, everyone knows that Andrei Iosivas is playing in the East-West Shrine Game and the Senior Bowl before heading to the NFL Combine. His draft chances are high.

His fellow Tiger wide receiver Dylan Classi, meanwhile, continues to open eyes. Classi played last weekend in the Tropicana Bowl in Florida and finished with five catches for 117 yards, in addition to a lot of eyes opened.

Keep this name under your hat, WR Dylan Classi of @PrincetonFTBL. He’s been one of the impressive wideouts here at @TropicalBowlUSA

— Emory Hunt (@FBallGameplan) January 20, 2023

This was from a write-up on CBSSports.com about the most impressive players in the game:

Classi's route running was the most impressive part of his week here in Orlando. It was the work within his stem and at the top of his route where he found his separation. He's got really good, quick hands that were able to snatch the ball out of the air and, in some cases, away from the defender. He also brings great value as a special teamer in the return game.

Also, if you do a search for Dylan Classi, the predictive text brings you back some of Bob Dylan's classic hits. 

TigerBlog has no doubt at all that Classi could be a productive NFL wide receiver. None. All he needs is the right chance. 

His performance in Florida last weekend was a step in the right direction.

Lastly, in keeping with today's football theme, if you click HERE you can see Princeton's future football schedules through 2029 (keep in mind this is all subject to change). There are some new names on that list and some interesting travel as well.

If you look at those games, the last of them is the 2029 Penn game. 

The Tiger starters for that game are somewhere around 12-15 years old right now.