Losing is not an option

Just less than one year ago, Bucknell freshman Ryan Korn lined up for a 39-yard field goal with just 20 seconds remaining at Franklin Field.

Leading by a mere point, at 14-13, the Penn sideline could hardly look on.

The first loss of the season appeared imminent -- as Korn had nailed a 40-yard field goal earlier in the game -- and the goal of an undefeated season seemed to be helplessly disappearing.

The kick appeared to be right on target, but it fell just short of the uprights, narrowly bringing the Quakers their fourth victory of last year's undefeated season.

This time, Penn will not have the benefit of Franklin Field.

Indeed, the Red and Blue (2-1, 1-0 Ivy) will be entering hostile territory tomorrow when they travel to Lewisburg, Pa., to take on a Bucknell team that has not lost a home game to a non-Patriot League opponent since 1996.

But if there is anyone who has experience in beating Bucknell at home, it is Penn coach Al Bagnoli, who handed the Bison their last non-conference home defeat, 30-21, in 1996.

Junior running back Sam Mathews downplayed the importance of playing at Christy Mathewson- Memorial Stadium.

"I don't know how much different it's going to be than any other road game," he said. "We just have to understand that when we go on the road, we've got to get down to business."

Although the Quakers will be removed from the friendly confines of their home stadium, much has changed since last year's nail-biter.

The one-point victory marked current Penn starting quarterback Pat McDermott's first ever start, and many of Penn's defenders -- who last year likened defending the triple-option to "learning a new language" -- now have experience defending the complex throwback style engineered by Bucknell coach Tim Landis.

Mathews -- who ran the option offense as a freshman at Navy -- said that keeping the Bison offense off the field will be a key to a Penn victory.

Landis' offense relies on sustaining long drives by gaining three-to-four yards every play and taking significant chunks of time off the clock in the process.

"One of the most important things to realize about that option is that they could have the ball for six to eight minutes," Mathews said.

"We could maybe only get three or four possessions in the first three quarters. It could really eat up the clock, and that's one of the things that's scary about playing an offense like that."

The Quakers will also be focusing on containing elusive Bison quarterback Daris Wilson. At just 5-foot-8, 176 pounds, the speedy trigger of Bucknell's option attack scorched Penn's defense for 125 yards rushing last season.

"He's not a very big guy," Mathews said. "But he can really move. It's pretty scary. You don't even know he has the ball, then he's gone."

Wilson has posted impressive numbers so far this season. The senior has rushed for 436 yards on 92 carries and is averaging just over 90 yards on the ground per game.

Although Landis rarely opts for the aerial attack, Penn's defense cannot expect to see the option on every single play.

Wilson's passing game has been remarkably efficient. The Kenner, La., native -- whom Bagnoli said is good enough to start for several Division I-A programs -- has a passing efficiency rating of 191.21.

The quarterback has completed 26 of his 36 attempts for 396 yards and five touchdowns -- a scorching completion percentage of 74.3 percent.

While offensive execution and containing Wilson will be crucial to the Quakers' hopes, there will also be added pressure on Penn's special teams unit.

In Bucknell's 35-19 victory over Georgetown last week, kick returner Dante Ross returned two Hoyas kickoffs for touchdowns. His 85 and 97-yard bolts earned him I-AA Special Teams Player of the Week honors.

The Bison currently lead the nation in kickoff returns, with an average of 29.7 yards per play.

If common opponents are any gauge, the teams appear to be evenly matched.

Both teams were shut out in the first three quarters against No.15 Villanova, but mounted fourth-quarter comebacks. The Quakers and the Bison both scored two touchdowns apiece in the final period, only to lose by final scores of 16-13 and 20-14, respectively.

"They're in the same position we are," Bagnoli said.

"Their one loss is a close game to Villanova. They're getting ready for league play like we are. They're at home. Non-Patriot League teams have struggled to go in there and get it done. We're going to have to play really well," he added.

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