Penn Quakers
Overall Rank: #38
#1 Ivy League
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A thrilling 35-28 victory at Cornell in the 2012 season finale gave Penn its third outright Ivy League title in the last four seasons. Led by senior quarterback Andrew Holland, who was making his first career start after Billy Ragone suffered a season-ending injury the week before, the Quakers drove 63 yards in the final minutes for the winning score. Close games were the norm in 2012 as seven of Penn’s 10 games were decided by seven points or less, and it was either tied or trailing in the fourth quarter of its six Ivy League triumphs. For veteran coach Al Bagnoli, the latest Ivy crown was his ninth, second only to legendary Yale coach Carmen Cozza.
2012 Record: (6-4, 6-1)
2012 Postseason: None
Coach: Al Bagnoli (142-66 at Penn, 228-85 overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Jon McLaughlin
Defensive Coordinator: Ray Priore
Returning Leaders:
Rushing: Lyle Marsh, RB, 515 yards
Passing: Billy Ragone, QB, 1,288 yards
Receiving: Scott Conner, WR, 691 yards
Tackles: Sebastian Jaskowski, DB, 72
Sacks: Jimmy Wagner, DL, 2.5
Interceptions: Dan Wilk, DB, 3
Other Key Returnees: RB Brandon Colavita, KR Connor Loftus, LB Dan Davis, DB Mike Laning, DB Drew Harris, TE Mitchell King, WR Ryan Mitchell, WR Conner Scott.
Key Losses: WR Joe Holder, OL Joe Bonadies, OL Mike Pinciotti, DL Brandon Copeland, DL C.J. Mooney, DL Taylor Brown, RB Jeff Jack.
Strengths:
After suffering a season-ending dislocated ankle and fractured fibula in the next-to-last game of the 2012 season, senior quarterback Billy Ragone returns. A two-time All-Ivy and three-time Ivy League champion, Ragone enters this season ranked in the top five all-time at Penn in career touchdowns, passing touchdowns, all-purpose yards, pass yards, completions and completion percentage. There is experience at running back, too, where fifth-year starters Lyle Marsh and Brandon Colavita have combined for four All-Ivy honors, 2,654 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns. A year ago, the secondary was marked by inexperience but not this year as All-Ivy selections Dan Wilk and Sebastian Jaskowski return.
Weaknesses:
The defensive line will be inexperienced as three starters from the 2012 team have graduated, including Brandon Copeland, who signed with the Baltimore Ravens as a free agent. Penn must replace All-Ivy punter Scott Lopano, who finished his career as the Quakers’ all-time leader in career punts and career punt yardage.
Bottom Line:
If Ragone is completely healthy, the Quakers figure to be in the Ivy League title chase again. They have many weapons on offense and if they can settle on a defensive front, they should be contenders. Plus, it’s difficult to argue with Bagnoli’s track record.
Projected Postseason: None
2012 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 149.40(60th in nation, 3rd in conference)
Passing Offense: 212.40 (58, 6)
Total Offense: 361.80 (67, 6)
Scoring Offense: 23.50 (75, 5)
Rushing Defense: 130.50 (31, 4)
Pass Defense: 254.80 (106, 6)
Total Defense: 385.30 (48, 5)
Scoring Defense: 24.10 (48, 5)
Turnover Margin: 0.10 (52, 4)
Sacks: 1.90 (69, 5)
Sacks Allowed: 2.40 (79, 4)
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