Foran finally gets his shot

Senior quarterback Bill Foran showed his first flash of greatness as a wide receiver for the football team during his freshman season, hauling in his first career catch for an 80-yard touchdown pass against Cornell. During his sophomore season, Foran exhibited his agility and speed when he scored his first rushing touchdown on a four-yard run against San Diego. His versatility shone through during his junior year, when he played as the No. 2 quarterback and became the Tigers' most dangerous weapon on special teams.

Foran contributed to the football team's 31-28 victory over Harvard last season when he replaced an injured Jeff Terrell and led the Tigers on a 10-play, 50-yard touchdown drive that gave them a 24-14 lead at halftime. He also rushed for 84 yards in Princeton's 31-30 overtime win against Penn. The ease with which he confidently filled in for Terrell is perhaps overshadowed only by his performance on special teams, where he recorded 214 total yards on kick returns and nine tackles.

While Foran has exuded a quiet confidence during the past three seasons that may have gone unnoticed by some Tiger fans, his presence on the field this year will be anything but inconspicuous. Gifted with the agility of a running back, the speed of a wide receiver and the hard-hitting toughness of a linebacker, Foran will be the inevitable leader of the Princeton offense this season.

A member of Princeton's track and field team, Foran competes in the 100m and 200m sprinting events. His speed and agility will enhance his role as Princeton's quarterback and allow the Tiger offense to be more creative.

"I think it just gives [opposing defenses] another dimension to defend," Foran said. "Hopefully they'll have to respect [my speed], so it'll open up other people on the field. It's just like a point guard in basketball who can score. If you have to defend him, it will give the other guys shots [to be open]."

Though Foran has yet to record a passing touchdown, head coach Roger Hughes has full confidence in his quarterback's ability to evolve from an athlete to the director of the offense. Foran's teammates seem to share Hughes' sentiment.

"Everyone claims that he's only a mobile quarterback, but I don't think he's getting enough credit for his throwing," senior co-captain and wide receiver Brendan Circle said. "He has been making great decisions and is turning into a great passer. He's definitely that dual threat that is going to keep defenses honest."

Foran worked hard throughout the Tigers' preseason camp to improve his passing and blitz recognition to make him more comfortable in every offensive situation. Though Princeton will essentially retain last year's base offensive system, Foran's versatility should give the Tiger offense more options from week-to-week.

"It's exciting to get to run the full offense because previously when I've been in it's been more of a modified offense for a change of pace," Foran said. "But now I'll have the full array, the three-step, the five-step game, so I'm really looking forward to passing the ball."

Foran will have a strong wide receiving corps to work with this year that includes Circle, juniors Adam Berry and Will Thanheiser and a strong freshman class.

"It's my job to get the ball in their hands, so if I can do that, I think they'll do the rest," Foran said. "[The receivers] are a solid group of guys."

Foran's innate sense of leadership will facilitate his transition into the starting quarterback spot, but his coach seems more impressed by how it has manifested itself off the field.

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"I couldn't be more pleased with what Bill is doing, not only with the football in his hands but also in the locker room," Hughes said.

By demonstrating a persistent work ethic during practices and games and by setting a positive example for his teammates off the field, Foran will be a natural leader for the Tigers.

"A winning attitude is important," Foran said. "In anything you do, you have to have a degree of confidence. If you have confidence you know you can do well, and I feel like the players on this team expect to do well."

The realization of Princeton's high expectations this season will depend more on Foran than on any other Tiger.