Penn football kicks off 2015 at Lehigh

When you think of Bethlehem, your first thought probably isn’t football.

Yet as Penn football travels to Bethlehem, Pa., on Saturday, it won’t need to fly and its trip won’t be one of any religious importance. Instead, the Quakers will be tasked with opening their season against Lehigh in the 58th meeting between the in-state opponents.

“Everyone’s just itching to finally get their hands on someone with a different colored jersey," senior captain and defensive lineman Dan Connaughton said. "We’re going up against the same guys every day. 

“It’s going to be good to get out there against another team and see how we stand against a good, Patriot League opponent.”

For the first time in more than 20 years, former Penn head coach Al Bagnoli will not be pacing the sidelines. It’s Ray Priore’s program now, and the veteran coach has his team prepared to open up the season strong.

“I’m excited for all aspects of the game, how our kids are going to do under fire … and how they react,” Priore said.

“In all aspects of sports, there’s always adversity, something always doesn’t go well for you. How do you respond to that? We’re working as much on that part as anything else.”

For Penn, it’s the first opportunity for fans and coaches alike to see the new coaching staff’s schemes in action.

Returning starting quarterback Alek Torgersen will look to lead an offense that lost a few of its top receiving options to graduation, but likely won’t have to deal with the same injury issues that derailed the running game in 2014. New offensive coordinator John Reagan has emphasized the team’s need for “grit” and “toughness” on offense, but it’s hard to say exactly how that translates into the spread system.

On defense, the team will be led by returning starters like Connaughton and senior linebacker Tyler Drake and will focus on creating turnovers and preventing big plays under new coordinator Bob Benson.

In Lehigh (1-1), Penn’s defense has itself an early season challenge. The Mountain Hawks boast one of the most potent dual-threat quarterbacks the Quakers will face this season in junior Nick Shafnisky. Shafnisky performed well last year as a starter, finishing the year with 2,373 yards through the air along with 526 on the ground, passing and running for 20 total touchdowns.

Dual-threat quarterbacks always pose an defensive challenge, as they can attack a defense with their feet on designed plays and with their arms by extending plays when the pocket breaks down. Penn’s strategy, according to Connaughton, is less “sack-ish” and more containment oriented.

“He’s our focus on defense," he added. "We need to stop their run game first of all, stop them on first and second down, get them in third downs.

“When we get them there, we need to contain him with the pass-rush. He’s going to take one read then tuck it and try to run so we need to be ready to handle that.”

The last time Penn and Lehigh faced off, Priore and Lehigh coach Andy Coen stood on the same sideline in 2003. Penn was playing the second game of what would be the third and final undefeated season (10-0) of Al Bagnoli’s tenure. Priore was Penn’s defensive coordinator, while Coen headed up the offense.

“I jokingly said to Andy in the spring that he’s going to spot me 7 points. … I’m only joking, but we remain very good friends,” Priore said.

“He’s an outstanding offensive mind. He made me a better defensive coach when he came here, trying to stop his offense. It’ll be fun, especially when you go across and Andy’s there, it’ll bring back some great memories.”

Friendly faces aside, Saturday marks the official beginning of Priore’s tenure. The preseason is over, it’s time to play ball.

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