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Princeton University Athletics
Players Mentioned
2008 Princeton Football Preview: The Offense
September 03, 2008 | Football
There is experience on the offensive line and at the wide receiver
positions. There were flashes of brilliance at the quarterback and
running back positions last year. If it all comes together, it could be
the type of efficient offense that led Princeton to an Ivy League title
two seasons ago. Senior tri-captains Adam Berry and Brian Anderson will
lead the 2008 Princeton offense, although the men up front could be the
key group when the season starts Sept. 20.
Offensive Line
For the last two seasons, this group has been viewed as an inexperienced unit. Those former freshmen and sophomores are now juniors and seniors, and head coach Roger Hughes believes that this unit can be the anchor of the entire offense, if not the whole team.
The starting tackles will be juniors Mark Paski and J.P. Makrai, both of whom bring a wealth of experience into the 2008 season. After becoming the first Princeton player to start every game of his freshman season on the offensive line, Paski improved even more last season and now comes into his third season as the leader and anchor of the line. He will protect the blind side of lefthanded quarterback Brian Anderson, similar to his role with Jeff Terrell in 2006. An athletic, intelligent leader, Paski has improved his run blocking while remaining a top-notch pass blocker.
Makrai was moved from guard to tackle in the offseason to take advantage of his athleticism. A starter at guard since the middle of his freshman season, he is a strong run blocker. Position coach Adam Hollis is confident that his quickness will be better served as a tackle, where he can get out on the perimeter in the spread offense and succeed as a pass blocker.
Fellow juniors Andrew Hauser and Marc Daou are returning starters at the guard position. Hauser has the athleticism to move to tackle if needed, but he is a powerful blocker who is skilled in combo blocks and has great feet. Daou's strength is his actual strength; he is as physical as any lineman and can move nose tackles off the ball in the run game. Both will be key in the inside run game.
Senior Matt Reynolds is the expected starter at the center position. He started the 2007 season finale at Dartmouth, which ironically was Anderson's first start at quarterback, so the two began to develop a chemistry last season. Hollis trusts Reynolds' intelligence in calling out blocks and keeping the unit on the same page. In the spread offense, he will also be expected to handle the shotgun snap, which he did well with in the spring. Fellow senior Nick Morgan also brings experience into the season and is able to move into either the center or guard positions if needed.
Junior Greg Chambers and sophomores Dusty Davidson and Andrew Mills will be among those competing for time in the offensive line rotation.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
There is considerable depth at the wide receiver position, although Hughes and wide receiver coach/passing game coordinator Scott Sallach are looking to see if anybody will step up as the No. 1 receiver. His top two candidates are a pair of hard-working seniors who have experienced their own successes but have yet to put a strong full season together.
Tri-captain Adam Berry is one of the most hard-working and knowledgeable players on the field, and he was a natural fit as one of the team captains. He caught 26 passes last season and leads all active players with 43 career catches, including three touchdowns. Although a reliable possession receiver, his 16.2 yards per catch last season proves he can make something happen after he makes the catch. He is the team's most well-rounded receiver and excels as a downfield blocker, an absolute necessity in the spread offense.
Classmate Will Thanheiser is the more explosive option and could develop into the deep threat in this offense. Thanheiser led all returning players with 27 catches last season, including five catches apiece against Brown and Yale. He developed a nice chemistry with Brian Anderson during the spring and, as one of the taller receivers, could also become a favored red-zone target.
Sophomore Trey Peacock got invaluable varsity time late last season when Brendan Circle was injured, and he enters his second season with the expectation of making a consistent impact in the offense. Another tall, physical presence, Peacock caught six passes in 2007 and earned the team's top offensive freshman honor. With added confidence and expanded knowledge of the offense, he could become an effective third receiver. The same could be true for Matt Ransom, a speed threat who the coaches believe could also be the answer in the return game. Ransom saw limited duty in the offense late last season, but it was enough to get a sense of the speed at this level. It is speed that he possesses, and speed that could turn him into a scary target.
Fellow sophomore Andrew Kerr missed his freshman season with injury, but he is a player for which the coaches have very high hopes. The State College, Pa., native is 6-2 with good hands and will look to gain as much experience as possible in the preseason before heading into his first season as a healthy competitor.
An injury to Jake Staser cost Princeton production at the tight end spot last season, but Hughes is hopeful that senior Joe Magro can make the position viable again this year. He was always a threat in the passing game, but he improved his blocking in the run game during the offseason. That versatility should keep him on the field in most packages and keep defenses aware of him. Billy Mitchell, Zack Kranz and Harry Flaherty will all compete for time at the position as well.
Running Backs
On a rainy Friday night last fall, a potential star was unveiled to the nation. Junior Jordan Culbreath torched the Cornell defense for 145 yards and two touchdowns in a 31-28 win. He ran for scores of 49 and 58 yards, and the latter was so impressive that it was voted the “Top Play” on SportsCenter that night. He is a physical, quick tailback who can find the opening and sprint through it. The coaches hope he becomes a consistent and productive force in the run game over a full season, as well as a viable threat to catch the ball and a consistent blocker.
Senior R.C. Lagomarsino is the more experienced back and led all returning players with a 32.9 rushing average last season and seven career touchdowns. When healthy, Lagomarsino is dangerous. He can get through the smallest seam in the line or take an option pitch the distance, as he did at Harvard last season. Staying healthy has been the issue for him, but if he can split time with Culbreath, he could be most productive in his final season.
For the first time in three years, the fullback position will be occupied by someone other than Rob Toresco. Offensive coordinator and running backs coach Dave Rackovan believes in sophomore Matt Zimmerman, who can handle the blocking duties of the position and can also pick up a tough first down when given the chance. The offense has always been more dangerous when all members of the backfield are threats with the ball, so Zimmerman will get his chances to make plays. Junior Ryan Smith could also earn time at fullback, especially in short-yardage situations.
Quarterback
The spread offense needs an athletic line, versatile wide receivers and tailbacks who can run and catch. In the end, though, the offense will only be as successful as the quarterback running it.
Senior Brian Anderson was voted tri-captain in 2008 despite starting only one game in his career. Granted, it was an impressive one, as he completed his first 11 passes against Dartmouth, ran for a touchdown and set up the winning field goal despite breaking his thumb midway through the game. Still, it was only one start. He was elected captain because of his intangibles, such as leadership and determination. But as he showed against Dartmouth, he does have the tangible qualities to be an effective quarterback. He had terrific poise, moved well in and out of the pocket and threw the ball on the run. It may be unfair to ask your first-year starter to go out and lead your offense effectively on a week-to-week basis, but that's what it takes to win in the Ivy League. Jeff Terrell won seven games in his first season as a starter, and he did it with an experienced offensive line and depth at the skill positions. Anderson will have both, and while his numbers don't need to break records for Princeton to win, he must have a high completion percentage, limit his interceptions and score touchdowns inside the red zone.
Junior Dan Kopolovich moved from starting cornerback to reserve quarterback during the offseason, which is another indication of just how important the position is in the offense. Kopolovich had been a consistent presence in the defensive backfield for two years, but he came to Princeton as an all-state quarterback from the Pittsburgh area, where he ran the option all the way to a state title. He will need the full fall to shake off the offensive rust, but Hughes trusts his mental toughness and believes he can make the right plays if needed this season.
Sophomore Andrew Dixon continued to improve during the spring and needs to keep improving his knowledge of the offense and his arm strength, while classmate Brett Kan missed all of his freshman year with an injury but will return in the fall.
check back later for a preview of the defense and special teams