Penn coach Al Bagnoli . . .
Every team in league has right to be excited and optimistic. We like way kids prepared last couple of years. Cautiously optimistic. Starts with trigger guy. Very fortunate 2 guys who played extensively last year in Billy Ragone and Ryan Becker. Need not just a good first one but also a good second.
Strengths include running back, Colavita, Marsh, Jack. Some talented kids outside, Calvert and Holder, injured last year.
Question on offense if have one is OL. Some good kids led by Van Roten. Graduated good kids who set table.
Defense enough playmakesr on all three levels. Copeland a breakout year. Rask an all-league LB. Schmucker and Hammscher. Expereicne corners in Twamley and Williams.
Who replace Samson as kicker is critical.
Kids are focused. Going in with good attitude. Know league improved. Difficult road schedule to Dartmouth, Brown and Harvard. Mega-rides.
All teams scare them. In even years very favorable home schedule. Odd years challenge more difficult. At Dartmouth who went into OT with last year at home. At Harvard and Brown and everyone knows how successful those programs are. Nailbiter with Yale. Others improved. Every week kind of a tossup and if get too comfortable going to be in trouble.
Young offensive line a question until do it on field. Have talented upperclass kids who have extensive practice time but still the question mark on offensive side. Not a talent-drive question. How quickly can they gel, communicate and play under stressed of game. Not answered until Lafayette. Thing talent around them can take pressure off them.
It all starts with QBs. Eligibility wise freshmen last year but weren't freshmen. Hope to be balanced with QB who can throw and run and run game that complements passing.
On the playoff ban: Innate lack of fairness for lack of a better word. Poll coaches and would be unanimous. Can't control what presidents and others say. Would be like to see it changed? Yes. Hopefully people will take a look at the issue.
Having 2 QBs gives us assurance we can let QBs play to strength. Ragone will be better passer but less hesitant about him running with a solid backup. Allows QB's to showcase what do best without having to compromise gameplan. For us it's huge.
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