.png&width=24&type=webp)
Princeton University Athletics
Players Mentioned
For Second Time In Program History, Football Team Will Be Led By Trio Of Captains
April 14, 2008 | Football
Rising seniors Brian Anderson, Adam Berry and Matt Koch will lead the 2008 Princeton football team as tri-captains, it was announced by ninth-year head coach Roger Hughes prior to the 2008 Spring Game. It is only the second time in the 140-year history of Princeton football that three players have been voted captain, and it is the first in Hughes' tenure.
"I think these will be three great leaders for the season," Hughes said afterwards. "They have great work ethic on and off the field. I know it isn't the norm to have three captains, but the voting dictated it. Brian, Adam and Matt were the overwhelming picks to be captains in 2008, and I believe they will do a fantastic job."
Anderson, who ends the spring season as the No. 1 quarterback, started one game last season and led Princeton to a 17-14 overtime win at Dartmouth. He completed his first 11 passes in the game, ran for one touchdown and set up the winning field goal with a nine-yard keeper in overtime.
"He is a really mature player who the guys love to play for," Hughes, who also coaches the quarterbacks, said. "He is a coach's son, and he knows what to do on the field. He knows what he can and can't do, and he made good decisions in the spring. He's the first to work, last to leave, which I can really say about all three captains."
Berry, who dealt with injuries during the spring but should be fine for the fall preseason camp, caught 26 passes for 420 yards and two touchdowns last season. He has been a key contributor over the last two seasons and joins Will Thanheiser as the senior wideouts on the 2008 team.
"Adam really directs our perimeter on offense," Hughes said. "He is such a smart player who understands the speed of the game. His knowledge of the offense is superb. I think he has earned this distinction with the way he conducts himself on the field, off the field and in the weight room."
Koch, a nose guard, is the lone defensive captain. He made 37 tackles last season, including 3.5 for losses, and added a pair of fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and an interception. Koch has played consistently over the last two years, including a platoon with Jake Marshall during the 2006 championship season.
"He has made himself into a very good player," Hughes said. "There isn't really a vocal leader on the defense, but Matt is as close as it gets. I think everybody looks up to him because of the way he works. He is a driven competitior in games, practices and in the weight room."
Hughes was pleased with the team's performance in the spring, including Saturday's Spring Game. He will hold his annual spring chat with GoPrincetonTigers.com in the coming weeks, where he will wrap up the 2007 season, discuss the spring season and his early thoughts on the 2008 season.