Marrow can't be the only 'D'

Despite the dominance of tackle Mitch Marrow, the Penn D-Line will need other players to step up. Penn senior defensive tackle Mitch Marrow is generally considered to be the most dominating player in the Ivy League. Marrow recorded 16.5 sacks last season and caused general havoc with his constant presence in the opposing team's backfield. Despite Marrow's return for a fifth season, the Quakers' success this season will depend more on the play of the other four starters on a relatively inexperienced defensive line. "One thing I try to impress on the kids," said Penn defensive line coach Jim Schaefer, "is that they can't sit back and think Mitch will do everything." Last season, the Quakers could rely on the emotional and physical play of seniors Tom Foley and Chris Osentowski, arguably the anchors of the defense. While senior Doug Zinser returns at one end position, Penn will feature three starters on the defensive line who lack in previous playing time. Sophomore Adrian Puzzio will take over Osentowski's position, while junior Larry Rascoe will play tackle. Junior Justin Gallagher, who saw some action as a reserve last year, is in line to be a starter at end this year. "They are quality kids," Penn defensive coordinator Mike Toop said. "They make first-year mistakes, but hopefully, between now and the Dartmouth game they won't make the same mistakes." In Penn's 5-2 defensive scheme, the line is supposed to pressure the passer and also occupy blockers on rushes so the linebackers make the tackles. The Quakers will also rely on a large number of reserves, including Jason Maehr, Brian Munro, Bobby Dziedzich and Dave Townsend as they try to settle on a rotation for the line. Schaefer believes that the two qualities the linemen need for the scheme are strength and quickness to the ball, and he feels confident that he will have six or seven people he feels comfortable putting on the field by the start of the season. "It's tough when it comes to game time," Schaefer said. "Physically, they have the tools, but they don't have the game experience." Marrow, according to Schaefer, has helped tremendously during the preseason in terms of preparing the other interior starters. He has served a leadership role as he tries to help the other linemen with their technique. Yet some things can not be taught and only come with playing more in games. "Foley would always go with his instincts," Rascoe said. "Sometimes I would ask him how would I do that after he reacted to make a play, and he would say 'I don't know how I did it myself.' I have to learn to read and react better." But it is necessary for the new starters to make plays right from the start. Teams will key on Marrow, who faced significant double-teaming last year, if the rest of the line does not play beyond their experience from the start. "The players can't worry if they are paying too much attention to Mitch," Toop said. "They have to worry about what they are supposed to do on each play. Puzzio just has to worry about the guard or tackle who are blocking him on the play." Yet the initial pressure on the Quakers' line is also a benefit. The players will have plenty of opportunities to have an immediate impact, as they are expected to be tested early. "Teams will run away from Mitch," Schaefer said, "Larry and Adrian have to make plays. They have to say, 'This is a great opportunity to make a name for myself'." Despite other teams' best efforts to avoid him, Marrow will still be involved in a significant number of plays. He also expects to be moved around the line based on other team's schemes to neutralize him. Marrow doesn't mind being a marked man for the second year in a row. "There is a certain degree of pressure on me," Marrow said, "but it is pressure I like to have." While the opposing teams and professional scouts are watching Marrow, Rascoe and the other starters hope to surprise people with their play. If they play to their abilities, then Marrow will be a constant nemesis to opposing quarterbacks and the linebackers will have the chances to rack up tackles.

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