Penn 'positioned' well against the Elis

Homecoming is a time when alumni return to Penn to relive their glory days. But it is also a time for football, as many alumni attend their first game in years. While the football team appreciates today's increased attendance, it is clear many of the fans have no idea who they are watching. So without further ado, here is everything you need to know about today's game. Quarterback Penn senior Matt Rader comes into the game still wearing a bandage over the spot where he lost a chunk of his arm. But the Fordham player's sharpened chinstrap seems to have revitalized Rader, who is 38-for-59 for 419 yards and two touchdowns in the two games since the injury. Overall, he has a 63.5 percent completion percentage, and his quarterback rating is second in the Ivies. Yale counters with junior Joe Walland, who played wide receiver for the junior varsity two years ago before becoming the starting quarterback midway through last year. He is the fourth-ranked quarterback in the league, and he averages 53 yards per game on the ground. Edge: Penn Running Back Quakers senior co-captain Jim Finn was a unanimous first-team All-Ivy selection after finishing second in rushing last season, and this year's 851 yards give him a lead of more than 200 yards. He rushed for 259 yards and a league record six of his 11 touchdowns last weekend. Finn is also the 15th highest rated quarterback after throwing two passes for 42 yards and one touchdown against Columbia. Junior Rashad Bartholomew has quickly established himself as a major threat for the Elis after transferring from the Air Force Academy. He ran for a career-high 194 yards last week against Columbia's top-ranked defense, including a 70-yard touchdown. He is second to Finn with 615 rushing yards, and his 5.13 average per carry is third in the league. Edge: Penn Receivers Penn junior Doug O'Neill has come into his own this year and leads the squad with 33 receptions for 422 yards and three touchdowns. His brother David averages 16.8 yards per catch, but is out with an ankle injury. Brandon Carson and David Rogers have 13 receptions apiece. Ken Marschner leads Yale's receiving corps with 32 receptions for 345 yards. Tight end Brian Scharf has 17 receptions that include three of Yale's six touchdown passes. Edge: Even Offensive Line Penn's offensive line started slowly due to youth and injuries to Carmelo Rubano and Jason Lebron, but it has only allowed seven sacks on the season. Jesse Simonin and Aaron Atkins provide senior leadership on the line that is also responsible for opening up holes for Finn. Yale's offensive line has only allowed six sacks behind senior Chris Ryan and fifth-year senior center Joe Montesano. The veteran line starts five seniors, and is a key component in the best rushing offense in the league. Edge: Yale Defensive Line Jason Maehr leads the squad with four of Penn's 18 sacks, as well 31 tackles. Mike Germino and Justin Gallagher each have three sacks, and Germino has six tackles for losses. Ed Galan has seen increased playing time recently and has 2.5 sacks on the season. Penn's rush defense is second in the Ivies, allowing only 84.7 yards per game. Yale's defense has 28 sacks, but it is fourth in the Ivies in rush defense at 121.8 yards per game. Juniors Andy Tuzzolino and Peter Sarantos lead the team with six sacks apiece. Captain Corwynne Corruthers has 28 tackles and will consistently draw double teams at nose guard. Edge: Yale Linebackers A first-team All-Ivy League selection last season, senior Darren MacDonald is tied for the team lead with 54 tackles. Jim Hisgen is third with 31 tackles, despite missing the last two games with a knee injury. The pair are a major part of the Quakers' stellar run defense. Sophomore Peter Mazza leads the Elis with 56 tackles this season, and has also racked up 2.5 sacks. Senior Scott Benton has added 42 tackles of his own. Edge: Penn Secondary Senior co-captain Joe Piela is tied for the team lead with 54 tackles at free safety, but the pass defense dropped to next-to-last in the Ivies after allowing 483 yards and six touchdowns against Brown. Sophomore free safety Ben Blake has four of the Elis' eight interceptions, as well as 43 tackles. Last year's Ivy League Rookie of the Year Todd Tomich has 32 tackles at cornerback. Yale's pass defense is fourth in the Ivies, giving up 212.3 yards per game. Edge: Yale Special Teams Penn has missed two extra points and kicker Jason Feinberg is 5-of-8 on field goals. Punter Reed Werner is averaging 33.7 yards per kick after taking the job from Ryan Lazzeri, who was averaging 36.7. But Piela is averaging 13.5 yards per punt return, including one touchdown. Yale kicker Mike Murawczyk's 10 field goals are tops in Division I-AA, but he has struggled on punts and kickoffs. Short kickoffs have led to an average return of 23.8 yards. Edge: Penn Overall Penn is coming off a heartbreaking 58-51 loss at Brown and the defense will be looking for a performance to make everyone forget last week. Yale is new to the top half of the Ivy standings, and will be overmatched against Penn and its Homecoming crowd. Edge: Penn

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