• Tigers Eye a Second Year as Champs (Football)
  
  • 1996 Schedule and Broadcasts
  • The 1996 Tigers, Position by Position
• Soccer Coaches' Efforts Sow Excellence

TIGERS EYE A SECOND YEAR AS CHAMPS
Last game ever in Palmer Stadium could pit Princeton against favored Dartmouth for title

Flash back to November 18, 1995. Four seconds left in the season, Dartmouth 10, Princeton 7. The Tigers are one yard away from the endzone. Coach Steve Tosches hears over the loudspeaker that Penn has a comfortable lead over Cornell, assuring both of those teams a 5-2 league record. He knows that a field goal will only tie the game, but that tie will be good enough to win Princeton (5-1-1) its first outright Ivy League title in 31 years. Does he go for the touchdown and the win?
Tosches, of course, did not. Instead, he called on Alex Sierk '99 to punch in an 18-yard field goal for a 10-10 tie and the Tigers' third undisputed league championship ever.
But now picture November 23, 1996, the last Saturday of the upcoming season. Princeton is playing Dartmouth in the final game ever at Palmer Stadium (see Notebook, page 10). Imagine that Princeton finds itself in the same situation. This year, Tosches goes for the touchdown. Why? Because for the first time, the NCAA has instituted overtime across all divisions.
Unlike the NFL, which has a sudden-death overtime, collegiate overtime gives each team a chance to score from 25 yards away until one team scores more points on its try. For example, if Princeton had the ball first and kicked a field goal, its opponent would either: 1) fail to score and lose, 2) score a touchdown and win, or 3) kick a field goal and both teams would try the exercise again.
"Should that have been the scenario a year ago, we probably would have decided to go for it [a touchdown]," says Tosches, who was an assistant coach at the University of Maine in 1982 for the longest overtime game ever-six extra periods. "You don't know in overtime if you're going to have a chance to get back in that same situation" (on Dartmouth's one-yard line).
Touchdowns, first downs, rushing yardage, and other statistics in overtime count toward a player's regular-season statistics. That will give future Tigers a better shot at breaking records, especially single-game marks. Recent Princeton history, however, has been relatively devoid of ties. Tosches has tied only twice in his nine-year tenure. "Alumni continually remind me that win or tie, they're behind me all the way," Tosches jokes. "Unfortunately, we don't have that option [the tie] any more, and it just adds a little more pressure to our jobs."
In all honesty, Tosches would not mind facing a similar critical decision in this season's finale. It would mean that Princeton was again in the title race on the season's final weekend, despite having a group of offensive and defensive linemen-the usual pillars of his team-who are as young and raw as he has ever had.
What worries Tosches most is whether Princeton will excel in two areas of the game that he considers crucial: the play of his offensive and defensive lines. "Offensively you've got to be able to run the football, and defensively you have to be able to stop the run. You obviously have to do that with your big kids on both sides, and the fact that we're going to be so young and so inexperienced leads to big questions right now," says Tosches (61-27-2 at Princeton), whose simplistic but successful coaching philosophy has left him nine wins shy of second place among the Tigers' winningest coaches.
Princeton returns five starters on both offense and defense, but only one lineman is back on each side of the ball. The Tigers have an even bigger hole to fill in the linebacking corps. Gone are Ivy League Player of the Year Dave Patterson '96 and second team all-Ivy Ryan Moore '96, one of the best pair of linebackers in Princeton history. Last year they accounted for almost 25 percent of the team's tackles. And Patterson was the heart and soul of the team. "You cannot replace Dave Patterson," says Tosches.
One of the primary reasons for the Tigers' 8-1-1 record last year was a remarkably opportunistic defense that forced turnovers at pivotal times. Princeton benefited from its opponents' 14 fumbles and 22 interceptions (the Tiger offense turned the ball over just 10 times, giving the Tigers the best turnover margin in Division I-AA in 1995). The players who accounted for 17 of those interceptions return.
Tosches worries, however, that if opponents can run successfully against the Tigers, they won't have to test Princeton's outstanding corners and safeties by passing the ball. Last fall, Patterson and Moore, with help from all-Ivy defensive linemen Darrell Oliveria '96 and Brian Groody '96, held a crop of excellent opposing rushers to team totals of just 109 yards per game. Unfortunately for Princeton's defensive front seven, while other teams' star quarterbacks have graduated, most of their talented running backs have not. The 1996 schedule features four opponents whose tailbacks are, or will soon be, their schools' all-time leading rushers-Lehigh, Brown, Bucknell, and Harvard-a statistic that leaves out Cornell's Chad Levitt, who has been the Ivy League's top rusher over the last two years.
Unlike last year, the schedule does not ease the Tigers into the heart of their season. Princeton faces those five impressive tailbacks in the first six weeks of the season. In addition, the Tigers' non-conference games should not be the cakewalks Princeton has enjoyed since 1991 (the Tigers are 14-l against Patriot League teams the past five seasons).
Princeton's own running game appears to be strong, with the return of cocaptain and tailback Marc Washington '97 (94 yards per game, 7 touchdowns) and fullback Mike Clifford '98 (27 yards per game, 3 touchdowns). But yards will be tougher to come by with the graduation of four offensive linemen who started every game the past two seasons. Neither of last year's quarterbacks are back. Brock Harvey '96, who was also the team's second-leading rusher, graduated, and Harry Nakielny '97 has taken the year off. Tosches plans to use two quarterbacks again, but neither Brett Budzinski '97 nor Jack Dempsey '98 have completed a varsity pass. That may mean Princeton's talented group of wide receivers will be underutilized.
Since Palmer Stadium is doomed after this season, home-game attendance may be up, as more alumni and locals buy tickets to bid the nation's second-oldest football stadium adieu. If Princeton still has a shot at the title when Dartmouth, the preseason favorite to win the league, visits for the stadium's 462nd-and last-game, the crowd should be substantially larger than the 10,011 who watched the season finale against the Big Green two years ago.
Princeton's odds of staying in the title race are mixed. The team's success will depend on how quickly the guys in the trenches mature, whether the new quarterbacks can take advantage of their gifted wideouts, and, as always, how healthy the team stays. Dartmouth is the consensus favorite due to its 16 returning starters. The Big Green will be challenged by Penn, Princeton, Brown, and Cornell. Columbia, Harvard, and Yale don't have a prayer.

1996 SCHEDULE

Sept. 21 - at Cornell  - noon
Sept. 28 - HOLY CROSS  - 1:00
Oct. 5   - LEHIGH      - 1:00
Oct. 12  - BROWN       - 1:00
Oct. 19  - at Bucknell - 1:00
Oct. 26  - HARVARD     - 1:00
Nov. 2   - at Columbia - 1:00
Nov. 9   - PENN        - 12:30
Nov. 16  - at Yale     - 12:30
Nov. 23  - DARTMOUTH   - 12:30

Football games can be heard on WPRB FM 103.3 and WHWH AM 1350, WHTG AM 1410, and WXMC AM 1310. Games may be televised by your local cable system - check your listings.

Cornell (six offensive starters return, seven defensive): Chad Levitt will give Princeton's new defensive starters an unpleasant primer on stopping the run September 21 in Ithaca, New York. "I'm sure [coach] Jimmy [Hofher] will give him the ball 50 times," says Tosches. But Cornell actually has weaknesses similar to Princeton's: mostly inexperienced linemen, a fourth different opening-day QB in four years, and a big hole at linebacker where leading tackler Joe Vitullo used to be. With Penn playing at Dartmouth this weekend, two of the principal Ivy contenders will start the season with a loss.
Holy Cross (seven offensive, eight defensive): After four dismal seasons, Holy Cross fired coach Peter Vaas, replacing him with Dan Allen. Allen served under the legendary Mark Duffner (who won five Patriot League titles in six years) at Holy Cross before leading Boston University for the last six years. Allen is a turnaround artist, but he doesn't have a lot to work with as he makes his first visit to Princeton as a head coach September 28. And the Crusaders will return to the wide-open attack of their glory days, which plays into Princeton's strength in the secondary.
Lehigh (six offensive, nine defensive): Lehigh has 15 starters back from the defending Patriot League championship team, including the league's top scorer and rusher, Rabih Abdullah. The Engineers can also throw the ball, and their defense returns virtually intact. Princeton's three-year winning streak against the Patriot League could come to an end October 5 in Palmer Stadium.
Brown (eight offensive, eight defensive): The following week, Brown's offense will bring its own fireworks to celebrate Palmer Stadium's final year. Bruins' coach Mark Whipple's "Whip-Lash" scheme produced Brown's all-time leading passer, Jason McCullough, and rusher, Marquis Jesse, by their junior seasons. Both return as seniors. McCullough's favorite target is the 1995 Ivy Rookie of the Year, wide receiver Sean Moray. Cornerback Greg Parker needs four interceptions to break the school record held by Penn State coach Joe Paterno, but the defense at a whole remains weak.
Bucknell (six offensive, seven defensive): The procession of great opposing running backs continues as the Tigers travel to Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, October 19 for Bucknell's homecoming. Of the dozen or so milestones tailback Rich Lemon has the opportunity to set this season, the most intriguing is his chance to be the first Division I-AA runner to gain 1,000 yards in four different seasons. Jim Fox is a competent QB who does not throw interceptions, but the defense has holes the Bison need to fill before they can hope to reach their predicted second-place Patriot League finish (Lehigh was picked to win the Patriot title).
Harvard (six offensive, six defensive): Who is the only exciting player for the Crimson? Eion Hu, of course. Hu is 18 yards from becoming the school's career rushing leader, a record which he will smash this season behind a great offensive line. But Hu is one of only four senior starters on a young team with no defense. The Crimson should serve as fodder for Princeton's homecoming feast on October 26.
Columbia (eight offensive, six defensive): The Columbia-Princeton game last year was a battle of unbeatens as both teams had 3-0 lay records. But the Lions threw seven interceptions and Columbia QB Mike Cavanaugh broke his leg. The Lions didn't win another game. This year Columbia will try to regroup with linebacker Rory Wilfork, who led the league in tackles a year ago, and three players who took last year off: WR Jim Jim Jones, DB Jessie Nunn, and 1994 first team all-Ivy DE Marcellus Wiley, a pro prospect. But Columbia lacks an experienced quarterback, running back, and defensive line, which may allow Princeton to overcome its Manhattan jinx-the Tigers are a dismal 1-3 at Columbia since 1987-on November 2 .
Pennsylvania (six offensive, six defense): Atlanta Braves general manager John Schuerholz should not be surprised if he gets a few extra Christmas cards this year from Penn's Ivy League rivals. This June, the Braves signed their sixth-round draft pick, Quaker QB Mark DeRosa, thereby ending his collegiate football career early. Coach Al Bagnoli has a capable replacement in Steve Teodecki, along with great special teams, a solid defensive front, and talented running backs and wideouts. The Quakers will also have plenty of incentive when they come to Princeton November 9, trying to erase the memory of the Tigers' 22-9 victory before almost 35,000 at Franklin Field last season.
Yale (three offensive, four defensive): Last year this writer predicted, "Princeton students can count on a fourth straight Big Three bonfire if the Tigers beat Harvard. Yale coach Carm Cozza's 30th season will not be one to remember." The Elis were indeed awful (2-5 Ivy, 3-7 overall), yet they managed to spoil Princeton's unofficial homecoming and perfect 8-0 record with a 21-13 upset. Somehow Cozza's prospects are even dimmer this fall-not a single offensive skill position starter returns and the coach's strongest unit is special teams-but you will read no prophecies here about the Tigers' visit to New Haven November 16.
Dartmouth (nine offensive, seven defensive): Ivy beat writers picked Dartmouth to finish seventh last year in their preseason poll, yet the Big Green were in the race literally until the final minute against Princeton last November. If Sierk's field-goal attempt had gone wide, Dartmouth would have had a share of the league's first four-way tie for the title. This summer Big Green garnered 10 of 16 first-place votes in the poll (Princeton got two), due to its superior depth and experience. All of Dartmouth's key offensive starters return and the linebacking corps, with two first-team all-Ivy selections back, anchors the defense. If Princeton can again spoil Dartmouth's shot at the title on the last play-and the last play ever in Palmer Stadium-Thanksgiving dinner will be the last thing on Princeton fans' minds.
-Phillip R. Thune '92
Phillip R. Thune works for investment bank Alex. Brown & Sons in New York City.

THE 1996 TIGERS, POSITION BY POSITION
Quarterback: Steve Tosches likes to rotate his backfield more often than a rotisserie chicken. It began in 1991, when Tosches had to decide whether to use phenom Keith Elias '94 or his workhorse from the year before, Erick Hamilton '93. Tosches chose both, alternating the tailbacks each series. He liked the strategy, and now Tosches tries to find two reliable tailbacks and two fullbacks each year. Last season, Tosches knew quarterbacks Brock Harvey '96 and Harry Nakielny '97 had different skills, but could both help the team. So in the second half of the season, he successfully managed one of the most difficult tasks in coaching, a quarterback platoon. Emboldened by his success, Tosches will try to play both senior Brett Budzinski, an all-around athlete who switched to wideout for a year in 1995 and caught 14 passes, and junior Jack Dempsey, who is more a pure passer. The combination will be brutal on opposing coaches, who only have one week to prepare for two quarterbacks with different styles, but it also leaves Tosches subject to infinite second guessing. If one progresses much faster than the other, he may ditch the rotation.

Running back: Tosches will struggle to find worthy backups for the likely starters, tailback Marc Washington '97 and fullback Mike Clifford '98. Last year's understudies, Damien Taylor '99 and Rob Malizia '97, both suffered serious injuries that sidelined them for the season. Tosches may have to find his subs from among the defense, as he did with safety-turned-fullback Brent Godek '96 last fall. Washington, only 5'9", proved durable last year, averaging 23 carries a game and running pass routes out of the backfield. More than any other player, he must stay healthy for the Tigers to compete for the title. Clifford missed Princeton's last two games after a knee injury at Penn, but he is healthy now.

Wide receiver and tight end: For the first time in years, a receiver led the team in scoring in 1995. That honor belongs to Kevin Duffy '97, whose nine touchdown receptions were second only to Derek Graham '85, who had 11 in 1983. Duffy is back, and with classmates Alex Mouse and Ben Gill, he will offer the inexperienced quarterbacking tandem a host of options in the passing game. Sophomore Royce Reed is the best athlete on the team, and last year Tosches predicted he could become the next Michael Lerch '93 before Reed even got to campus. Korli Kamara '97 should start at tight end after two years as a backup; Andy Fisher '97 and Jason Glotzbach '99 figure to see playing time as well.

Offensive line: For the last few years, the O-line has been spectacular, with three-year starters and first team all-Ivy picks John Nied '96 and Carter Westfall '96, who were flanked by two-year starters Rich Manzo '96 and Brad Pawlowski '96. The only problem with a talented class of linemen is that someday they graduate, literally leaving huge shoes to fill. Jason Graefe '98 started at left tackle last season in the opener and Dave Maier '97 replaced him upon returning from a preseason injury. Both will have to take charge on this year's line. Seniors Jason Griffiths and Travis Pulliam should take over at center and guard, respectively, but Tosches will have to rely on underclassman to round out the units.

Defensive line: Third-year starter Dale Bartley '97 and 6' 7", 260-pound Griff King '98 provide experience at defensive end, but like an Oreo, the middle of the line is soft. Mark Whaling '98, a midfielder for the NCAA champion lacrosse team, will move to play tackle, after playing mostly as a linebacker last fall, the other tackle spot is wide open. As with most of his units, Tosches would like to be able to rotate the linemen to keep them fresh and healthy, but the depth is not there this year.

Linebacker: Inexperience on the defensive line can be overcome by a veteran linebacking corps. Unfortunately, Princeton doesn't have one of those, either. Dave Patterson '96 and Ryan Moore '96, the top two tacklers for the past two years, have graduated, although Tim Greene '98 returns after making 69 tackles, two interceptions, and two sacks a year ago. As a group, Patterson and Moore's potential replacements had just 23 tackles in 1995.

Defensive secondary: This unit is the strongest on the team, and with the inexperience in front, the secondary may have to stop the run as well as the pass. "If your secondary is leading the league in tackles, you've got problems," worries Tosches. Cocaptain and second team all-Ivy strong safety Jimmy Archie '97 anchors the defense. Third-team all-America cornerback Damani Leech (10 career interceptions) and free safety Tom Ludwig (nine interceptions) are only juniors and both have an outside shot at the record 22 career picks made by Superman Dean Cain '88. Nick Avallone '97 and Bret Marshall '98 will replace graduated corner Rich Hill '96 and provide depth.

Special teams: Three freshmen ably handled kicking and punting last year, presaging a golden age of special teams. Alex Sierk missed just two of 29 extra points and connected on five of 10 field goals, including the title-winner at Dartmouth and the two longest kicks in Tosches's tenure (45 and 44 yards). Ben Mulinix took kickoffs and Matt Evans averaged 34.2 yards per punt. Ludwig will return punts and Alex House or another of the Tiger wideouts or defensive backs will return kickoffs.