Sprint pulls out win as clock ticks down

What a difference a second can make.

With just one tick remaining on the clock, the Penn sprint football team stole a victory from Cornell, leaving Schoellkopf Field and a stunned Big Red team in its wake.

Down 17-13, Penn quarterback Jimmer Donapel threw an 18-yard pass into the end zone in a last-ditch attempt to win the game.

And to the surprise of nearly everyone there -- spectators, coaches and players alike -- junior tight end Tim Murphy pulled in the reception to give the Quakers (1-0) the 19-17 last-second win.

"Heading into the last play, I was just trying to put together different scenarios in my head because I knew I was going to get the ball," Donapel said. "To be honest, I knew we had a good chance but it wasn't definite by any means."

Others were more frank in their reaction.

"I was shocked that it ended up in the end zone," Penn junior wide receiver Jeff Bagnoli said.

Part luck and part good movement by the Quakers' wide receivers allowed Donapel to find a hole in the Big Red's defense and connect with Murphy on the final play.

"Tim and myself were running ... and I went in one direction and he went in another," Bagnoli said. "Luckily, the defensemen followed me and left him open."

The Red and Blue controlled the game in the first half, as Murphy caught a 25-yard pass for the first touchdown of the game with 2:36 left in the first quarter. Penn sophomore kicker Chris Caputo converted a 27-yard field goal attempt just before halftime to make the score 10-0.

In the second half, the Big Red (0-1) managed to narrow the gap with a successful 29-yard field goal attempt, but the Quakers answered with another field goal of their own.

"We always expect a hard fought game when we go up to Cornell," Penn senior co-captain Matt Ragsdale said. "The game was everything we expected it to be."

The momentum shifted in the fourth quarter, however, when the Big Red scored two consecutive touchdowns to take a 17-13 lead, their first advantage of the game.

But even deep into the fourth, the Quakers proved the four-point cushion surmountable.

"The defense had a rocky game, but we also showed a lot of promise," Penn sophomore defensive back Ray June said. "It was a good wake-up call, and in looking at tapes after the game, we know what we need to improve on."

The Red and Blue came into Friday's contest without any game experience under their belts, perhaps leaving them less prepared compared to other seasons. In the wake of the national tragedy, the alumni game -- a scrimmage to help the Quakers play in a game situation before the regular season -- was postponed.

"The game is not only a good time, but a good tune-up for the regular season," Ragsdale said. "The alumni game gives us a good simulation that you can't get playing against one another."

As a result, the Quakers went to Ithaca, N.Y., this year hoping to use the Big Red as a measure of their progress this season.

"They are a very aggressive defensive team, a much improved football team overall," Penn coach Bill Wagner said. "It was a good test for us, and I was happy to see that the kids could rally back."

And indeed, faced with a tough situation, the Quakers fought back to prove that they are ready to defend their Collegiate Sprint Football League Championship.

"I think it sent a message to the rest of the league that you can't count us out," Bagnoli said. "And even if we're down, we can pull it out."

For now, the Red and Blue are looking forward to taking the next two weeks to prepare themselves for the first home game of the season, against perennial rival Princeton.

"Bottom line is that these kids realize they have a nice team but they still have to work and suck it up a little bit," Wagner said. "Right now, we'll have some fun with our alums Sunday. With a win under our belts, we'll be able to enjoy ourselves."

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