Harvard looks to be the class of the Ivies

Penn

Home Field: Franklin Field

Coach: Al Bagnoli, 11th yr.

2001 Ivy record: 6-1

Key Returning Players: QB Mike Mitchell, WR Rob Milanese, DB/ RB Stephen Faulk, LB Travis Belden

Coming into last season, the Penn football team was awash in preseason expectations. Virtually no one thought that the Quakers would finish the season in second place in the Ivy League. This season, with much uncertainty coming into the year, the Ancient Eight will be looking to take advantage and pounce on the inexperienced Quakers. Here's a look at the Ivy League foes in the 2002 season.

Dartmouth

at Penn, Oct. 5 12:30 p.m.

Coach: John Lyons, 11th yr. 2001 Ivy record: 1-6 Key Returning Players::QB Brian Mann, DB Steve Jensen, WR Casey Kramer, RB Pat Risha

After opening with a pair of Patriot League teams, the Quakers host Dartmouth in their first league contest of the season on Oct. 5. The Big Green finished tied for last in the Ancient Eight last season, and they take a huge hit at the offensive skill positions, losing running back Michael Gratch and wide receivers Damien Roomets and Matt DeLellis. They do return, however, 37 lettermen from last year's squad. Quarterback Brian Mann is back this season after sitting out last year with a broken hand. He ranks fifth in school history with 2,999 passing yards. In the secondary, the Big Green return last year's Ivy League Rookie of the Year Steve Jensen at cornerback. He had 79 tackles and two interceptions last season.

Columbia

at Penn, Oct. 19 1:00 p.m.

Coach: Ray Tellier, 14th yr. 2001 Ivy record: 3-4 Key Returning Players: DB Phillip Murray, WR Travis Chmelka, LB Chris Carey, DE Jerry Bailey

After a short week and a Thursday night game at Villanova, the Quakers host perennial Ivy doormat Columbia on Oct. 19. The Lions lost Johnathan Reese, Columbia's all-time leading rusher, to graduation as well as key members of their offensive line. Moving from an offense that revolved around the tailback to more of a wide-open one will be the challenge for the 2002 Lions, who have also lost All-Ivy receiver Doug Peck and Jarel Cockburn. The Lions were a surprising 3-4 in conference play last season, but look to have trouble with a host of young players. Phillip Murray, who had seven interceptions in 2000 but was injured last season, should be recovered from offseason shoulder surgery.

Yale

vs. Penn, Oct. 26 1:00 p.m.

Coach: Jack Siedlecki, 6th yr. 2001 Ivy record: 1-6 Key Returning Players: QB Alvin Cowan, DB Barton Simmons, DT Jason Lange, C David Farrell

Sixteen starters return for Yale, Penn's opponent on Oct. 26. The Elis, 1-6, in the Ivies last season, have a talented defense but might be lacking on the offensive side of the ball. Robert Carr, who excelled early last season before suffering an injury, will likely key the backfield attack. He will run behind an offensive line that returns most of its starters from last season. On the defense, three starters return in the secondary, including safety Barton Simmons, who had three picks and 69 tackles last season. On the line, tackles Jason Lange and Luke Mraz, both seniors, return to key a strong front four.

Brown

at Penn, Nov. 2 1:00 p.m.

Coach: Phil Estes, 5th yr. 2001 Ivy record: 5-2 Key Returning Players: WR Chas Gessner, RB Joe Rackley, G Nick Bardo, LB Joel Barone, LB Jeremiah Watts

Cocky wide receiver Chas Gessner and the rest of the Brown Bears come to West Philadelphia on Nov. 2. Gessner backs up his attitude with a lot of talent and keys a wide-open Brown offensive attack. Since putting in the new system in 1994, the Bears are 53-26, tops among Ivy schools. Last season, Gessner was named a first team All-American and a finalist for the Walter Payton Award, given to the top player in Division I-AA. His 1,182 receiving yards were best in the nation last season. The quarterbacks will be a different situation for the Bears this season, however, as their two top choices for the job attempted exactly two passes last season. Nathan Poole and junior transfer from Arizona Kyle Slager will battle for the starting spot. On defense, the Bears return eight starters, including the entire linebacking corps. Brown's secondary, which led the Ivies in pass defense last year, returns Jermaine Griffin, who picked off four passes last year.

Princeton

vs. Penn, Nov. 9 1:00 p.m.

Coach: Roger Hughes, 3rd yr. 2001 Ivy record: 3-4 Key Returning Players: QB David Splithoff, RB Cameron Atkinson, WR Chisom Opara, S Kevin Kongslie

The Quakers travel to hated foe Princeton on Nov. 9, a team that struggled last season but is expected to be in the Ivy League title race this year. Junior quarterback David Splithoff returns under center. Last year, Splithoff passed for 1,680 yards and rushed for 325 more. Three-year starters joining Splithoff are Cameron Atkinson at running back and Chisom Opara at wide receiver. Atkinson averaged 82.5 yards on the ground last season, while Opara averaged 72.6 yards receiving. On defense, the Tigers suffered the losses of linebacker Bob Farrell and Chris Roser-Jones, but they return the other nine starters from last year's squad. Leading tackler Zak Keasey will lead the linebacking corps, while senior safety Kevin Kongslie will anchor the secondary.

Harvard

at Penn, Nov. 16 12:30 p.m.

Coach: Tim Murphy, 9th yr. 2001 Ivy record: 7-0 Key Returning Players: WR Carl Morris, QB Neil Rose, LB Dante Balestracci, P Adam Kingston, RB Nick Palazzo

It will be a revenge game for Penn on Nov. 16, when the Quakers play host to Harvard. Last season in a battle of unbeatens, the Quakers fell to the Crimson, 28-21, in Boston. Harvard is the favorite in the Ivy League this year, and with good reason. The Crimson return Carl Morris, last season's winner of the Asa A. Bushnell Cup, given to the Ivy League Player of the Year. Morris caught 71 balls for 943 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. Hooking up with Morris again will be Neil Rose, a first-team All-Ivy choice last season. Rose threw for 1,830 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. Senior tailback Nick Palazzo is back as well after rushing for 556 yards and seven touchdowns last season. On defense, the Crimson might struggle, having lost seven starters to graduation. Junior launebacker Dante Balestracci, a two-time first team All-Ivy selection is the top player back for the Crimson.

Cornell

vs. Penn, Nov. 23 1:00 p.m.

Coach: T. Pendergast, 2nd yr. 2001 Ivy record: 2-5 Key Returning Players: QB Mick Razzano, WR Keith Ferguson, LB Nate Spitler, DB James Moriarty

The final game for the Quakers will be at Cornell on Nov. 23. Two years ago, Penn went up to Cornell and torched the Big Red, 45-15, in a battle for first place in the Ivy League. Cornell will be looking to replace graduated quarterback Ricky Rahne with Mick Razanno, who only threw 12 passes last season. Nathan Archer is also a question mark this season, as the Big Red lost Evan Simmons to graduation. Last year, Archer rushed for 135 yards on 35 carries. On defense, the Big Red are a little more solid, with returning starters on the line Bill Goodrich and Jesse Rodriguez. At the corners, Vince Bates and and Deron Smith will anchor a strong secondary that also features Jamie Moriarty, who had four interceptions last season.

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