This is uncharted waters again...very small play Penn Quakers -6 over Dartmouth Big Green.....Penn has lost some to graduation but still looks to be the much better team even though on the road,in the past they own Dartmouth....Dartmouth looks to be an Ivy doormat....still early in season though...glta 1-0 record Ivy picks....
Ivy Pick Oct 1 comments appreciated..
- Thread starter Dead Money
- Start date
Braver?
Braver?
:mj07: ....figure WTF....lots of better cappers on 1-a, sticking just to 1-aa IVY....always an adventure....biggest obstacle is good information.
I notice the lines come out a couple days later than 1-a, has to be a little tuffer for books to cap also; noticeably lower Ivy limits at Pinny. GLTU
Braver?
:mj07: ....figure WTF....lots of better cappers on 1-a, sticking just to 1-aa IVY....always an adventure....biggest obstacle is good information.
I notice the lines come out a couple days later than 1-a, has to be a little tuffer for books to cap also; noticeably lower Ivy limits at Pinny. GLTU
Healing more physical than mental
Quakers not crushed by non-conference loss, but need bodies back
Squandering a 17-point lead and ultimately losing to Villanova was difficult to bear for Penn quarterback Pat McDermott.
The bright side for McDermott and Penn, though, is that the Ivy League season has yet to begin. The loss to the Wildcats, though disappointing, "was not a big deal in the grand scheme of things," McDermott said. "The loss hurts, but these next ones are the ones that really count."
The other good news for the Quakers heading into conference play is that senior running back Sam Mathews has recovered from his shoulder injury, and according to Penn coach Al Bagnoli, he will be 100 percent by Saturday.
"The recovery is coming along really well," Mathews said. "I have a lot more movement in and out. It's not as stiff or as tight as it was this past week."
In the week leading up to the Villanova game, Mathews and Penn's coaches decided that Mathews' status would be a game-time decision.
For Mathews, watching his team from the sidelines was not easy. But he -- like McDermott -- understands that it is the seven Ivy League games which truly count.
"It was tough. I really wanted to play against Villanova," he said. "But it was a non-conference game and I had a risk of injuring it worse."
Medical report
While Mathews is fully recovered, Penn defensive back Adam Francks did not practice yesterday, and he may not practice today, either.
After suffering a hip pointer on a punt return in the first quarter against Villanova, Francks left the game and did not return.
It appears, though, that Francks may be ready before Saturday.
"There's nothing broken, we had x-rays to make sure," Bagnoli said. "If he doesn't practice [today], then he'll practice [tomorrow]."
Bagnoli noted that Penn's special teams suffered due to Franks' injury. This tough situation was exacerbated by the loss of running back Von Bryant, who left the team this week for personal reasons.
Franks' injury also contributed to Penn's second-half collapse against the Wildcats. With Michael Johns and Kelechi Okere left as the only remaining defensive backs, neither player got to rest during the second half.
This was particularly troublesome because Penn's offense racked up so few first downs in the second half, thereby forcing the defense to be on the field longer.
"Our offense didn't execute as much as we had hoped in the second half, so our defense was out there a lot against a high powered offensive team," Bagnoli said.
The shorthanded Penn secondary is one reason why Villanova quarterback Frank Jankowski threw for 345 yards, and two Wildcats racked up more than 100 receiving yards on the day.
Line leaders
Penn's defensive line, in contrast, was effective in limiting Villanova's running game.
The Wildcats ran 27 times for a total of 45 yards, a mere 1.7 yards per carry.
"The D-Line played well," Bagnoli said. "We forced them to almost abandon the run. They're not a great running team with the skill kids and the strength and their passing attack but they have skill kids at running back and fullback.
"That was a key to the game, because if they can establish the run, then now they're really balanced and we'd really have some trouble."
The defensive line was also effective in Penn's first game against Duquesne, limiting the Dukes to a less impressive but still respectable 97 yards on 34 carries.
In the trenches
With the most notable exception being the game-ending sack, Penn's offensive line was generally effective against Villanova in protecting McDermott and screening receivers.
"There were holes out there to run through," running back Joe Sandberg said. "Once they open the holes up, it's up to me to do the rest.
"They did a great job up front, both with the runs and the screens, and that's what allowed me to have the day that I had."
Sandberg had a career day filling in for Mathews. He rushed for 104 yards on 18 carries, to go along with 99 receiving yards.
"A lot of those [receiving] yards came on screens, which the offensive line helped a lot on," Sandberg said.
Bagnoli mirrored Sandberg's sentiments.
"The offensive line played well against a pretty athletic team," he said. "I thought they were a lot more cohesive and a lot more in sync than they were in Week 1."
McDermott credited the offensive line for Penn's strong start in the first half.
"I'm handing the ball off, throwing screen plays, and I'm just watching them all over the place knock guys over," he said. "I remember commenting during the first half, after a great block, they were just really physical."
While being the No. 1 running option was new to Sandberg, he was not at all afraid of the challenge.
"I don't feel much pressure," he said. "Sam's the guy, I just do what they tell me to do. If I have to step up and start the game, or I have to back him up, that's what I'll do."
Go-to wideouts
After Penn receivers Dan Castles and Gabe Marabella graduated last year, there were questions heading into this season about which players would emerge as McDermott's primary targets.
Based on the first two games, it appears those questions are being answered rather quickly.
"They're all different at different things," McDermott said. "Dan McDonald can go up and grab a ball when it's up high. He's one of the taller guys and runs taller routes.
"Our inside guys, Ryan Pisarri and Matt Carre, they run the quicker routes, they both have great hands. Billy May can also go grab a ball, and Nick Okoro is tall but he also can dance."
"I feel comfortable with all of them," he added.
The numbers attest to the comfort zone McDermott describes. He connected with seven different players against Villanova.
Sandberg led all Penn receivers with 99 yards and seven receptions; Carre snatched six passes for 86 yards, McDonald grabbed three passes for 61 yards, and Okoro posted 44 yards and three receptions.
"Pat feels comfortable with me out there, and I feel comfortable with him," Sandberg said. "I've worked with Pat before. I was here last spring. I was here as a freshman. Pat and I have a good relationship."
Quakers not crushed by non-conference loss, but need bodies back
Squandering a 17-point lead and ultimately losing to Villanova was difficult to bear for Penn quarterback Pat McDermott.
The bright side for McDermott and Penn, though, is that the Ivy League season has yet to begin. The loss to the Wildcats, though disappointing, "was not a big deal in the grand scheme of things," McDermott said. "The loss hurts, but these next ones are the ones that really count."
The other good news for the Quakers heading into conference play is that senior running back Sam Mathews has recovered from his shoulder injury, and according to Penn coach Al Bagnoli, he will be 100 percent by Saturday.
"The recovery is coming along really well," Mathews said. "I have a lot more movement in and out. It's not as stiff or as tight as it was this past week."
In the week leading up to the Villanova game, Mathews and Penn's coaches decided that Mathews' status would be a game-time decision.
For Mathews, watching his team from the sidelines was not easy. But he -- like McDermott -- understands that it is the seven Ivy League games which truly count.
"It was tough. I really wanted to play against Villanova," he said. "But it was a non-conference game and I had a risk of injuring it worse."
Medical report
While Mathews is fully recovered, Penn defensive back Adam Francks did not practice yesterday, and he may not practice today, either.
After suffering a hip pointer on a punt return in the first quarter against Villanova, Francks left the game and did not return.
It appears, though, that Francks may be ready before Saturday.
"There's nothing broken, we had x-rays to make sure," Bagnoli said. "If he doesn't practice [today], then he'll practice [tomorrow]."
Bagnoli noted that Penn's special teams suffered due to Franks' injury. This tough situation was exacerbated by the loss of running back Von Bryant, who left the team this week for personal reasons.
Franks' injury also contributed to Penn's second-half collapse against the Wildcats. With Michael Johns and Kelechi Okere left as the only remaining defensive backs, neither player got to rest during the second half.
This was particularly troublesome because Penn's offense racked up so few first downs in the second half, thereby forcing the defense to be on the field longer.
"Our offense didn't execute as much as we had hoped in the second half, so our defense was out there a lot against a high powered offensive team," Bagnoli said.
The shorthanded Penn secondary is one reason why Villanova quarterback Frank Jankowski threw for 345 yards, and two Wildcats racked up more than 100 receiving yards on the day.
Line leaders
Penn's defensive line, in contrast, was effective in limiting Villanova's running game.
The Wildcats ran 27 times for a total of 45 yards, a mere 1.7 yards per carry.
"The D-Line played well," Bagnoli said. "We forced them to almost abandon the run. They're not a great running team with the skill kids and the strength and their passing attack but they have skill kids at running back and fullback.
"That was a key to the game, because if they can establish the run, then now they're really balanced and we'd really have some trouble."
The defensive line was also effective in Penn's first game against Duquesne, limiting the Dukes to a less impressive but still respectable 97 yards on 34 carries.
In the trenches
With the most notable exception being the game-ending sack, Penn's offensive line was generally effective against Villanova in protecting McDermott and screening receivers.
"There were holes out there to run through," running back Joe Sandberg said. "Once they open the holes up, it's up to me to do the rest.
"They did a great job up front, both with the runs and the screens, and that's what allowed me to have the day that I had."
Sandberg had a career day filling in for Mathews. He rushed for 104 yards on 18 carries, to go along with 99 receiving yards.
"A lot of those [receiving] yards came on screens, which the offensive line helped a lot on," Sandberg said.
Bagnoli mirrored Sandberg's sentiments.
"The offensive line played well against a pretty athletic team," he said. "I thought they were a lot more cohesive and a lot more in sync than they were in Week 1."
McDermott credited the offensive line for Penn's strong start in the first half.
"I'm handing the ball off, throwing screen plays, and I'm just watching them all over the place knock guys over," he said. "I remember commenting during the first half, after a great block, they were just really physical."
While being the No. 1 running option was new to Sandberg, he was not at all afraid of the challenge.
"I don't feel much pressure," he said. "Sam's the guy, I just do what they tell me to do. If I have to step up and start the game, or I have to back him up, that's what I'll do."
Go-to wideouts
After Penn receivers Dan Castles and Gabe Marabella graduated last year, there were questions heading into this season about which players would emerge as McDermott's primary targets.
Based on the first two games, it appears those questions are being answered rather quickly.
"They're all different at different things," McDermott said. "Dan McDonald can go up and grab a ball when it's up high. He's one of the taller guys and runs taller routes.
"Our inside guys, Ryan Pisarri and Matt Carre, they run the quicker routes, they both have great hands. Billy May can also go grab a ball, and Nick Okoro is tall but he also can dance."
"I feel comfortable with all of them," he added.
The numbers attest to the comfort zone McDermott describes. He connected with seven different players against Villanova.
Sandberg led all Penn receivers with 99 yards and seven receptions; Carre snatched six passes for 86 yards, McDonald grabbed three passes for 61 yards, and Okoro posted 44 yards and three receptions.
"Pat feels comfortable with me out there, and I feel comfortable with him," Sandberg said. "I've worked with Pat before. I was here last spring. I was here as a freshman. Pat and I have a good relationship."
It's hard to believe Penn was favored over Villanova. Proceed with caution, as always, in the Ivy League.
It's hard to believe Penn was favored over Villanova. Proceed with caution, as always, in the Ivy League.
I've bet the Ivies for a long time.
The first thing is to get the lines as soon as they come out.
At Pinnacle, I jumped Penn at -3 (now -7), I also took Brown +2 (now -3.5) and Columbia +14 (now +12). I also took Cornell/Colgate under 46 (now 43). The moves this week were unusually large.
5 Dimes has all Div. 1-AA games and I watch the Patriot League pretty close too. 5 Dimes has good lines if you like the dog.
I suspect Holy Cross will give Yale a tussle this week.
The first thing is to get the lines as soon as they come out.
At Pinnacle, I jumped Penn at -3 (now -7), I also took Brown +2 (now -3.5) and Columbia +14 (now +12). I also took Cornell/Colgate under 46 (now 43). The moves this week were unusually large.
5 Dimes has all Div. 1-AA games and I watch the Patriot League pretty close too. 5 Dimes has good lines if you like the dog.
I suspect Holy Cross will give Yale a tussle this week.
