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Sophomore cornerback Tyson Maugle (11) wrestles down Villanova fullback DeQuese May (34) as safety Patrick Kimener moves in for a hit. The senior Wildcat tore up the Quakers for 211 total yards and 2 touchdowns

Going into the 2006 football season, there were concerns about what would happen when an entirely new secondary took the field.

The team's worst fears about the possibilities were realized during Saturday's 27-20 loss to Villanova.

In the season opener against Lafayette, the secondary allowed quarterback Brad Maurer to accrue nearly 300 yards but didn't allow a touchdown in the air.

However, against the Wildcats, the Quakers conceded three passes into the end zone.

In two games this season, Penn has given up 577 yards in the air - 291 coming last weekend - and allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete 55 percent of their passes.

That comes out to an average of almost 17 yards per completion.

But at Saturday's contest, Penn coach Al Bagnoli thinks that his defense was at a disadvantage from the beginning.

"I didn't particularly think the match-ups going into it were in our favor, with all the perimeter experience they had and their quarterback returning against the young defensive backs that we have," Bagnoli said.

The inexperience of the Quakers combined with the explosiveness of Villanova quarterback Martin Burroughs - both in passing and rushing - to cost Penn dearly, more than once, on the long ball.

One big mistake on the part of the secondary came during the second quarter. After being forced out of the pocket, Burroughs was able to throw a 57-yard bomb down field to a wide-open Chris Polite.

"We kind of misjudged the ball on that second score - it was a big play," junior defensive back Greg Ambrogi said.

A few minutes later, the Quakers defense was burned again as Burroughs threw 27 yards to DeQuese May, who was waiting in the end zone.

Penn also conceded 21- and 34-yard passes - as well as another touchdown pass to the Burroughs-May duo - before the game was over.

"He took the game on his shoulders," Villanova coach Andy Talley said of his quarterback.

Ambrogi, though, didn't think the Villanova passing game was anything his team didn't have the ability to defend.

"It wasn't too complicated, their passing," Ambrogi said. "We just kept nickel-and-diming it up the field."

Two weekends ago at Lafayette, a strong defensive line negated the weakness of the secondary. However, if this imbalance persists, the Red and Blue could struggle defensively in its upcoming games.

And struggling to cover opposing receivers is not part of the recipe that makes for an Ivy League champion.

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