Despite tough defense, Penn's comeback falls short at Army

For the second time in its first three games the Penn sprint football team dropped a heartbreaker to a military academy.

However, Friday's 17-14 loss at Army, unlike the Quakers' season opening 10-6 defeat at the hands of Navy, counts toward the Collegiate Sprint Football League standings and puts Penn (1-2, 0-1 CSFL) in a precarious position in the league.

"I think we're right there with Army and Navy," senior defensive back Chris Caputo said. "We only lost by a combined seven points in two games on the road."

Again it was the defense that kept Penn within striking distance, as the Cadets (3-1, 1-0) had less than 200 yards of total offense on the day. However, Army frequently worked with a short field due to solid special teams play and two interceptions thrown by Penn.

"We just made a few more mistakes than they did," Caputo said. "They won the battle of field position. They won on special teams, and we weren't able to force any turnovers."

Despite the strong defensive effort, Penn found itself facing a 14-0 deficit midway through the third quarter. Army running back Clay Bibb -- who finished the game with 15 carries for 63 yards -- punched in a touchdown from one yard out in the second quarter and running back

Fabio Castro had a 20-yard scoring scamper in the third to put Army's lead at 14. Castro had 12 carries for 48 yards and Army's quarterback George Feagins attempted only nine passes during the game, completing three. Feagins himself ran the ball 16 times for 43 yards.

"They keep things simple," Caputo said. "They just run, try to wear you down and then go for the long pass."

Penn senior quarterback James Donapel had a significantly busier afternoon -- particularly when he faced a deficit that forced him to pass Penn back into the game in the second half. Completing 23 of his 40 passes on the day, Donapel finished with a career-high 197 yards passing. Wide receivers Tim Murphy and Pat Monaghan combined for 159 of those yards -- including an 11-catch, 90-yard performance by Murphy -- and a touchdown.

Donapel had to take to the air when his own rushing attack was stymied. Normally a dual running and passing threat at the quarterback position, Donapel was held to 19 yards on nine carries by Army.

Late in the third quarter, Donapel hit David Derr with a 3-yard touchdown pass to bring Penn within 14-7. A field goal by Army's Kurt Cheeseman pushed the margin back to 10.

Donapel brought the Quakers down the field again late in the fourth quarter. With less than two minutes to play, the drive culminated with a touchdown pass to Murphy. However, Penn's comeback ended when its onside kick attempt was recovered by Bibb, allowing the Cadets to run out the clock.

With only three league games remaining, Penn faces an uphill battle to win its conference. The Quakers' first chance to better their position in the standings comes Friday when Cornell (2-2) visits Franklin Field.

"We have to bounce back this week," Caputo said. "Cornell can put up a lot of points and a lot of yards so we have to shut them down."

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