Tigers Hope Linebackers, New And Old, Terrorize Ivy Opponents

Since 2000, Princeton has had the pleasure of facing Columbia each year to kick off its Ivy League football schedule. With the exception of a 27-33 loss in 2003, the Tigers have won seven of the last eight contests against the Lions.

Princeton hopes its current four-game winning streak against the Lions will continue with the help of three returning veterans on the defensive line as well as wide receiver Adam Berry and quarterback Brian Anderson leading the offense.

After a 2-1 start, The Tigers finished last season on a dismal 2-5 slide, finishing with a disappointing record of 4-6. This season's overly positive sentiment rings with hope of a repeat Ivy League title, which the Tigers won two seasons ago.

Contrary to the elated sentiments resonating throughout the school, in reality, the Princeton Tigers are projected to finish fifth in the 2008 season, as announced Tuesday at the annual Ivy League Football Media Day. A string of new players look to take on the bulk of the responsibility come game time. Matt Allen, an offensive lineman from Tulsa, Okla., is supposed to help the Tigers with consistent, quality minutes, a quality often absent among incoming freshmen.

Cameron Browne from Lakewood, Colo. hopes to find playing time as either a center or tackle on the offensive line. Browne hopes to use his football lineage (his father played in the NFL) to his advantage and step into a leadership position in his first year on the job.

The defense hopes to use its experience to improve upon a defense that allowed 1,280 rushing yards in 2007. Three returning starters as well as backups have the task of improving the team's defense, ranked 5th in the league last year, a stat that will go a long way in determining the Tigers' success.

All-Ivy defensive end senior Pete Buchignani will anchor the defense after recording a career-high 34 tackles last season, making at least three stops in eight different games. Since the fourth game of his freshman season, Buchignani has labeled himself an impact player and has continued to improve his impressive physical prowess on defense each season. Buchignani has made at least 27 tackles each season, including one in an impressive six-tackle game against Yale. With teammate Tom Methvin commanding the attention on the opposing side and senior Matt Koch in the middle of the three-man front, the Tigers' defense will enter the season with terrifying trio on the defensive line.

Captains Berry and Anderson will lead the 2008 Princeton offense. For the last two seasons, the offensive line has been viewed as an altogether inexperienced unit. With both age and experience on its side, it seems as if this could be its year to shine. Starting tackles junior Mark Paski and junior J.P. Makrai both bring a wealth of experience into the 2008 season. Paski holds the title of the first freshman player ever to start every game of his first season on the offensive line, improving upon his past two seasons and entering his third year in the line of duty. As the leader and anchor of the line, he will aid in protecting the blind side of left-handed quarterback Anderson. Senior Matt Reynolds is the expected starter at the center position. Beginning his season in 2007's finale at Dartmouth, along with Anderson, the two developed chemistry last season that is apparent both on and off the field.

With a solid combination of newcomers and veterans, the Princeton Tigers hope to establish a blend of new and old which will bring them back to the long-awaited glory days of 2006's Ivy League title.