Once every century, it's a good idea to try something new.
While this may sound like the mantra of a stoic financial firm, or a bad advertising slogan, it actually accurately describes the actions of the football coaching staff on Saturday. For never, in the 132 years since some energetic students from the College of New Jersey played some Rutgers undergrads in a mutated form of rugby, had a freshman started under center for Old Nassau on the football field.
That is, until Saturday, when 18,113 spectators watched freshman quarterback David Splithoff play a nearly flawless game, leading the Tiger offense past an aggressive Brown defense.
"I thought Dave, for a first game, was very poised," Princeton head coach Roger Hughes said. "He made a couple mistakes, as any player does, as any freshman would. But overall I thought he played pretty poised, and didn't get rattled, and certainly made and created some big plays."
For the day, Splithoff completed 13 of 17 passes for 289 yards. Most importantly, Splithoff did not throw any interceptions. This statistic provides a stark contrast to Brown's starting quarterback — Eric Webber — who despite leading Division I-AA in passing entering the game, threw two costly interceptions. Unlike Splithoff, Webber is a senior.
"[The Tigers] do a great job with the offense," Brown head coach Phil Estes said. "It's not so much who the quarterback is. It's just a matter of not making turnovers. And our side, we made the turnovers, and they capitalized on it."
Perhaps in an attempt to make an impression, literally, on the Tigers' young quarterback, Brown blitzed heavily throughout the game. Estes and his staff did not hesitate to bring multiple linebackers, and occasionally a safety, on hard rushes up the middle. While this strategy did produce four sacks, and a few quarterback hurries, it often left the Brown secondary in man-to-man or man-free coverage.
Puttin' on the blitz
These tight coverages demand strong play from the team's defensive backs, and are extremely difficult to maintain if the quarterback has time to throw the ball. On most of Princeton's big scoring strikes, either the Tigers' offensive line picked up a blitz, or Splithoff was able to elude pass rushers before firing the ball downfield. The Bears' secondary, unable to maintain their tight coverage for that length of time, were forced to try to tackle Princeton's swift receivers from behind — and usually failed to do so.
"That's one thing that Dave gives us, as a mobile quarterback," Hughes said. "[He's] a kid who can create things because of his athleticism. He certainly gives us that added dimension."
Improvisation
Splithoff often created positive yardage when little hope for gain existed. When he felt the pocket collapsing around him, he was able to scramble — reminiscent of Fran Tarkenton — and either buy some time, or pick up yardage on the ground. Splithoff gained 85 yards on his rushing attempts.
In the fourth quarter, Splithoff's 72-yard touchdown pass to senior fullback Marty Cheatham — which shattered any of the Bears' fragile hopes of a comeback — typified his performance. Facing a heavy rush from a blitzing outside linebacker, Splithoff side-stepped the defender, rolled to his right, and then lofted the pass to Cheatham who had already run his route, and then broken upfield. The pass was thrown where only Cheatham could catch it and allowed him to break away from the trailing Brown secondary.
"He was improvising, and was playing really well. What more can you say?" senior guard Ross Tucker said.
Indeed, Splithoff delivered a victory in an important Ivy League game.
In so doing, he demonstrated poise, confidence and skill that belied his age. He gives Princeton reason to be hopeful not only for Harvard next week, but for future seasons as well.
"He's a winner," Hughes said. "He competes. When you look in his eyes, and he says 'Coach, I'll get it done,' you believe him."
Read More
Head coach’s debut sees men's hockey concede to Harvard and Dartmouth in home opening
Francie McKenzie and Lily PampolinaDespite losing their first two games under new head coach Ben Syer, men’s hockey showed glimpses of their young potential ahead of next weekend’s face-off at Yale.
Despite losing their first two games under new head coach Ben Syer, men’s hockey showed glimpses of their young potential ahead of next weekend’s face-off at Yale.
Women’s hockey secures first ECAC wins with victories over Harvard and Dartmouth
Ark Bunyan and Cole KellerThe power play continued to be a bright spot for the Tigers this weekend, as the Tigers snapped a four-game losing streak in a weekend sweep.
The power play continued to be a bright spot for the Tigers this weekend, as the Tigers snapped a four-game losing streak in a weekend sweep.
Field hockey loses to Harvard in Ivy League Final, earns at-large bid to NCAAs
Keyan VojdaniNo. 13 field hockey lost to Harvard 2–1 in overtime in the Ivy League Tournament Championship game, their first Ivy loss of the season. The Tigers will now face off with No. 8 Boston College in the first round of the NCAAs on Friday at 2:30 p.m. in Philadelphia at St. Joe’s.
No. 13 field hockey lost to Harvard 2–1 in overtime in the Ivy League Tournament Championship game, their first Ivy loss of the season. The Tigers will now face off with No. 8 Boston College in the first round of the NCAAs on Friday at 2:30 p.m. in Philadelphia at St. Joe’s.
