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Princeton University Athletics
Players Mentioned
Football Opens Spring Season Tuesday; Spring Game Set For April 12
March 24, 2008 | Football
The 2008 Princeton spring season begins Tuesday, March 25, and will continue through the annual Spring Game on April 12. Head coach Roger Hughes and his staff will be focused on fundamentals and physical play during the 12 sessions, while also focusing on several position battles, including quarterback.
"We need to get back to fundamentals," Hughes said as he made final preparations for his ninth spring at Princeton. "Our turnover ratio was the worst since we've been here, and we need to fix that. We're looking for more physical play from our offensive and defensive lines. We're starting to see a physical maturity in the guys that have played a year or two on those lines, and we need to build on that. Overall, I think it's been one of our best offseasons, in terms of conditioning."
On the offensive side of the ball, most eyes will be focused on the quarterback battle. After a 16-4 run by Jeff Terrell between 2005-06, Princeton got inconsistent play out of the position last season. Junior Brian Anderson made his only start count, completing his first 11 passes and running for a touchdown in a 17-14 overtime win at Dartmouth. But with only two games of varsity experience (he appeared in the second half against Harvard), Hughes felt that he needed to see all of his options. Sophomore Dan Kopolovich, who has started one and a half seasons at cornerback, will switch practice jerseys and compete for the position. Freshman Brett Kan is injured and will return for the fall, which will allow classmate Andrew Dixon to get more reps in the competition.
"Brian has worked very hard in the offseason, and he played admirably in his start at Dartmouth," Hughes said. "Dan was a great quarterback in high school, earning Pennsylvania Player of the Year honors in his division. We'll see how the spring goes and make any further decisions later."
While Princeton is blessed with depth at the running back and wide receiver positions, two key players will need to be replaced. Rob Toresco, the 2007 Poe-Kazmaier Trophy co-recipient, was a versatile threat and three-year starter at fullback. He ran, caught and blocked in an offense that he knew like few others. Sophomore Ryan Smith and freshman Matt Zimmerman are among those Hughes believes can thrive at the position.
Brendan Circle, a two-time All-Ivy receiver, spent the latter stages of the 2007 season battling injury, which allowed Hughes to see his younger receivers compete. With the likes of Adam Berry, Will Thanheiser, Jeb Heavenrich, Trey Peacock, Matt Ransom and Andrew Kerr in the mix, there isn't much concern about depth. Instead, the offense wants to see if there is a specific "go-to" receiver, and how the receivers work with the competing quarterbacks.
Four of five starters return on the offensive line, including two-year starter Mark Paski. Princeton will be looking to replace tackle Brendon Swisher and tight end Jake Staser.
Defensively, the coaches need to replace starters at the linebacker and defensive back positions while upgrading the depth on the defensive line. The linebackers lost run stoppers Tim Boardman and Doori Song, as well as co-captain Jon Stem. Explosive threats John Callahan and Collin McCarthy return, but the competition for the inside linebacker positions will be important. Safety Kevin Kelleher, a multi-year starter, leaves a big hole at his spot, and with the move of Kopolovich, Princeton will work several cornerbacks. Sophomore starter Cart Kelly returns, as does Tom Hurley, who missed much of last season with injury.
The junior tandem of Matt Koch, Pete Buchignani and Tom Methvin return on the defensive line, but Hughes is hopeful to see greater impacts from the likes of Joel Karacozoff, Pat Gallagher and Matt Boyer.
Three starters on special teams will return for their senior seasons. Ryan Coyle ranked sixth in the nation in punting last season, while placekicker Connor Louden is approaching the Princeton record for consecutive extra points made. One name that might be unfamiliar to some is Ryan Pritchard, but he has been consistently strong as a long snapper. The Tigers would like to see greater contributions in the return game, although they tend to focus on that more in the fall camp.