Splithoff takes on new role in football's secondary

Under head coach Roger Hughes' tenure, the football team has improved each season, with seven losses in 2000, six two years ago, and a winning record (6-4) last season.

The most important reason for that improvement was the play of senior quarterback/safety and co-captain David Splithoff.

In a word, Splithoff could be described as a playmaker. He never had the strongest arm, or the prettiest spiral, but he made plays on the football yield that often left you scratching your head.

However, following off-season shoulder surgery, Splithoff has not been able to take his place under center for the Tigers (0-3 overall, 0-1 Ivy League). Instead, he was forced to watch the first two Princeton contests from the sidelines because of tendonitis in the surgically repaired shoulder.

Instead of sulking on the sidelines and allowing his athletic ability go to waste, Splithoff and the coaching staff decided it was time for the co-captain to get back on the field. Only this time he wasn't picking apart a secondary, but instead was part of that unit.

Splithoff made his debut at strong safety during last Saturday's 33-27 loss to Columbia. On the first defensive series of the game, the Lions faced a third-and-long and the Tigers sent in their nickel package. Splithoff trotted out with the group.

He finished the game with three tackles and one pass defended. One of those three tackles was a vicious hit on Columbia wide receiver Pete Chromiak. For the hit, Splithoff was given the Hammer Award for the hardest hit in that game.

"As much as it killed me to give it to him, I was very pleased to give him the Hammer Award last week," Hughes said.

While Splithoff was strictly limited to playing in the Tigers' nickel package, his vast football knowledge should quickly earn him more playing time. The time he spent on the other side of the ball should serve him well as he makes the adjustment to strong safety.

"He understands more," Hughes said. "Just talking terminology — a curl flat for example — he knows what the offense is trying to do."

Because of this advantage, "[Splithoff's] got a very, very fast learning curve," secondary coach Eric Jackson said.

Princeton is working Splithoff into the defensive schemes more with Hughes saying, "we're trying some new things with him right now."

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The determining factor in whether Splithoff will see increased playing time, however, is the injury status of senior defensive back Blake Perry, who is out with a high ankle sprain that he suffered during the Lafayette game. He missed Saturday's contest against the Lions and is not expected to start this weekend against Colgate.

Regardless, the Tigers will try and get Splithoff on the field more, aiming to have the senior captain on the field for 30-40 plays.

He has to continue to work on his technique, however, which Jackson pointed out as the biggest weakness in his game thus far.

"At least [Splithoff's] been going backwards with his drops," Jackson joked. He added, "he has to be able to read the plays. If it's a run, do this, if it's pass, know this is my coverage, and go here."

Jackson and Hughes are trying to give Splithoff time to become comfortable and calm, which Jackson called "the keys to success."

More so than his athletic ability, "[Splithoff] brings juice, an energy, and leadership," according to Hughes.

The secondary is an area where the Tigers are severely lacking in leadership. Princeton starts two freshmen at defensive back, Tim Strickland and J.J. Artis. Junior Nick Brown starts at free safety in place of the injured Perry and senior Sam Snyder goes at strong safety. Splithoff is currently behind Snyder on the depth chart, but according to Jackson, the two will both see playing time.

Splithoff is being counted on to use his leadership abilities to help the Tigers avoid the first 0-4 start in the history of Princeton football, which dates to 1869. However, Splithoff won't be able to lead the team from under center as he is accustomed to doing, but rather from the last line of defense.