Blackmon, Hamscher jump the line of scrimmage

Many words could describe Matt Hamscher and Bradford Blackmon. Selfish is not one of them.

When the football team was faced with a surplus of running backs and notable losses at defensive back — including all-American Chris Wynn — the former ballcarriers put the success of the Penn football team ahead of their personal desires.

They stepped out of their comfort zones and into the backfield.

“It was a little difficult at first just trying to play the game from running forward to running backwards,” Blackmon, now a cornerback, said.

Though the position changes may have required some readjustment — neither had played defense since high school — anyone who has attended a Penn football game this season knows that the two are adjusting to their new roles.

In fact, the duo has already made an immediate impact on the team.

“It’s tough to replace guys like Chris Wynn and [second team all-Ivy selection] Kevin Gray, but it’s almost like they never left, with these guys,” senior safety Josh Powers said.

In the final drive of the Quakers’ season opener against Lafayette, Hamscher pulled through to stop an ensuing Leopards scoring drive.

On 1st and 10 just short of midfield, the junior sacked Lafayette quarterback Ryan O’Neil for an eight-yard loss. Two plays later, he again came through to stop the Leopards on a long third down.

Four plays and a fourth down conversion later, the Quakers had stopped Lafayette and won the game.

“‘I can’t let them score’,” Hamscher recalled thinking. “I don’t know too much more going through anyone’s head other than if you’re on offense, score. If you’re on defense, don’t let them score.”

And that’s what has made his transition nearly seamless: Hamscher still thinks like an offensive player.

Though associate head coach Ray Priore said the coaches will put the pair on offense as needed, Hamscher has seen more time returning kickoffs.

In the Quakers’ win over Lafayette, Hamscher tallied 97 yards on just three kickoff returns, averaging just over 33 yards per return.

He attributes his success to experience as a running back, where he trained to look for holes and “see the open field.”

And Blackmon has held his own in his new position as well, recently recording two tackles against Lafayette.

“There’s a few plays that I can remember where if I’d have focused in more, I’d have done better,” Blackmon said, reflecting on his first collegiate defensive performance. “I’d attribute it to lack of experience.”

But one game may have been all that Blackmon needed. In Penn’s second outing against Villanova, the senior recovered a fumble forced by Powers that eventually led to a Penn field goal.

“They’ve been phenomenal,” Powers said. “I’ve been incredibly impressed.”

Priore echoed that sentiment, noting that Hamscher and Blackmon’s experience led to the staff’s decision to put them on defense.

“Our philosophy under [head coach Al] Bagnoli is try to get your best players on the field as much as you can,” Priore said.

So even if that means that the Red and Blue face the danger of both physical and mental wear and tear, the benefits outweigh the risks.

“They’re both tremendous on both sides, and they can add a spark,” Priore said. “If it means they score a touchdown and get us a couple points, that’s even better.”

And with their experience playing on the other side of the ball, Hamscher and Blackmon are certainly familiar with the endzone.

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