Wing-T, Take Two

They're like Napolean's army without any cannons, or a Blitzkrieg without any bombs.

The Tigers' long-ball threat is dead.

Because for the first time in this decade, Princeton will field an offense without legitimate pro prospects at either quarterback or receiver.

Bob Holly, Tiger signalcaller from 1979-81, graduated from Old Nassau to the Washington Redskins. His replacement, Brent Woods, set the Princeton completion record the following year. And then, from 1983-86, Doug Butler tore up the Ivy turf by throwing over it.

Harvesting pigskins for this dynamic trio were Kevin Guthrie and Derek Graham, both stellar receivers who grabbed the top two spots in every receiving category Princetonians have ever recorded.

Now, however, the Princeton Air Force is manned by a corps of greenhorns and no-names. Butler Aviation is out of business. The Flying Tigers have been grounded.

Welcome to the Wing-T.

Second-year Coach Ron Rogerson last year implemented the Delaware Wing-T, an offense that rivals the Multiflex for complexity. The Wing-T is also based on misdirection, confusion, multiplicity--and running.

Although Rogerson was shrewd enough last year to let Butler do his thing, this year the offensive burden will be shared by at least half a dozen different players.

There are no more Princeton stars who outshine all the others. "There has been a change in Princeton's philosophy," says Guthrie, now the color man for Tiger radio broadcasts. "There's not going to be as much emphasis on one player anymore."

"Our offense is now based on the team concept," Princeton Recievers Coach J. Michael Hodgson says. "The Wing-T is better in that it allows you many weapons. Butler and Graham were our only weapons before."

Hodgson believes that defenses can't just key on one or two players. "You have to pick and choose who you're going to stop," he says. "You can't stop everybody."

Guthrie believes that the shared offensive responsibility will help Princeton in the long run. When the burden is placed on only one or two sets of shoulder pads, the pressure can be tough.

"You feel a lot of pressure before the game. Other players and coaches will come up to you and say, 'We need a big one from you,'" Guthrie says.

But football is fundamentally a team game, and neither Guthrie nor anybody else can carry the load alone. The Tigers have a better shot at consistent success with a diversified offensive attack.

"A lot of the time when one guy does great, it doesn't lead to championships," Guthrie warns. "It leads to great stats and losses."