September 19, 2019

THE DAILY PENNSYLVANIAN | THEDP.COM

TABLE OF CONTENTS 5

Why I hope Penn football proves me wrong

Around the Ivy League Jess Mixon

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Tyler Herrick Profile Danny Chiarodit

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Franklin Field Construction Zack Rovner

8-9

Sam Philippi Profile Jackson Satz

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2019

10-11

Quarterback Nick Robinson Profile

THEODOROS PAPAZEKOS

Jackson Joffe

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Kevin Morris Profile Michael Landau

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Mohammed Diakite Profile Will DiGrande

15

Running Back Legacy Brevin Fleischer

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Replacing Nick Miller Charlie Dolgenos

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Positional Breakdown Marc Margolis

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FOOTBALL PREVIEW

CREDITS SPORTS EDITORS

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I’m usually wrong about these sorts of things, but this time I’d be happy about it.

I don’t think Penn football will be particularly good this year. I also hope they prove me wrong.

The Quakers are coming off two straight seasons of Ivy League mediocrity after a run of (shared) conference championships in 2015 and 2016. Without solid quarterback play, Penn’s chances at serious Ivy contention were more or less dead in the water.

Last season, the contrast between the haves and the have-nots of Ivy football was more stark than usual. Two teams finished the season ranked in the top 25 of FCS nationally, including the dominant undefeated Princeton Tigers.

In what amounts to a sevengame season, a single misstep can destroy title chances. I don’t expect the Quakers to approach the level of perfection necessary to contend in an increasingly competitive Ivy League.

Again, I really hope I’m wrong.

One thing working in Penn’s favor is newness. The Red and Blue have an entirely new offense led by offensive coordinator Kevin Morris and senior quarterback Nick Robinson.

Senior Karekin Brooks will shine again at running back.

The defense will feature new and emerging stars: a new middle linebacker will be forced to assume leadership for the graduated Nick Miller, while Mohammed Diakite has the promise to become an elite Ivy League cornerback in his sophomore year. Take that and add to it a healthy Sam Philippi ready for take two on his senior season and there

are plenty of reasons for optimism.

The problem is that new personnel doesn’t always translate to better personnel. This season will be Penn’s third straight year with a new quarterback, and the past two changes did not inspire to say the least — and Penn finished well behind the Ivy frontrunners.

Pessimistically, these new and emerging Penn stars are inexperienced and unproven players forced into bigger roles than they can handle. I’m no pessimist, but there are enough holes on the roster to warrant preemptive concern. The voters in the preseason poll agree.

Look, predicting another 3-4 or 4-3 record is safe, even boring.

Expecting little and hoping to be pleasantly surprised falls along the same lines. I wish I could more easily rationalize optimism in this team, but right now, I just don’t see it.

The great news is that they have plenty of chances to prove me wrong.

Going and beating — or even keeping it close against — a nationally ranked Delaware team on its home field, for example. Even then, Delaware is not the FCS power it once was. The Blue Hens are currently ranked No. 20 in the country. Princeton, one of the favorites in the Ivy League, is No. 24.

The improvements in the top Ivy teams — Yale and Dartmouth also received votes in the national poll — will make it hard for the Quakers to contend for a conference title. As a reminder, these three Ivy teams are considered among the top 30 teams in the nation despite not having played a game while the rest of the country just finished Week 3.

I don’t know exactly how the Ivy League season will pan out for Penn.

I don’t think they’ll contend. I hope I’m wrong.

THEODOROS PAPAZEKOS is a College senior from Pittsburgh and Senior Sports Editor for The Daily Pennsylvanian. He can be reached at papazekos@thedp. com.

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Yale, Dartmouth, and Princeton have been annointed the favorites by the voters of the Ivy League preseason poll JESS MIXON Associate Sports Editor

After a 3-4 Ivy League record and a mid-table finish last season, the Quakers are looking to up their game this season. But where does the rest of their conference competition stand? Here's a look at the way the other seven teams in the Ancient Eight will line up this season, ordered by their ranking in the preseason poll.

Yale Bulldogs 2018 Record: (5-5, 3-4 Ivy)

Dartmouth Big Green (9-1, 6-1) Yale's offense likely poses one of the only threats to Dartmouth, home to the League’s powerhouse defense. The Big Green are coming off consecutive seasons claiming second in the Ivy League, and have boasted a 38-12 overall record over the past five years. Unsurprisingly, preseason polls are predicting a third year in the runner-up position.

The team's only loss of the 2018 campaign was at the hands of League champion Princeton, and was supported by four first-team All-Ivy picks.

Although three graduated, 2018 Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year Isiah Swann will return. Swann was at the top of the entire NCAA Division I at nine interceptions on the season last year within a unit that allowed only 12 points and 280.4 yards per game.

Princeton Tigers (10-0, 7-0)

Columbia Lions (6-4, 3-4) Columbia’s 2017 campaign saw only two Ivy League losses, however, the Lions struggled with a 2018 roster that saw more than 25 injured players. Namely, their starting quarterback, top wide receiver, and top running back were all limited in their 2018 seasons due to injuries. All three will be returning to the field in 2019 along with all but one of last season's offensive linemen.

Cornell Big Red (3-7, 2-5) The Big Red continue to struggle to build momentum within the Ivy League. While they’ve seen limited upward mobility in the past five years, they have been competing on a higher level and last season came very close to a 4-3 Ivy record, losing by only six points to Yale and by three points to Columbia after a huge October upset win against Harvard.

Among the team's struggles was the offense, who only averaged 19.1 points per game last season. Cornell's coaching staff will likely look to replace its struggling starting quarterback in hopes of getting some fresh blood on the field to energize its lagging offense.

Brown Bears (1-9, 0-7)

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Coming off of their second consecutive season at the bottom of the Ivy League, the Bears have made some coaching changes, hiring James Perry to lead the team.

As starting quarterback, Perry led the team to their 1999 Ivy League title, and is undoubtedly looking to return his program to its former glory. A newer coaching staff and changes in their offseason strength and conditioning program will potentially allow the Bears to rack up some league wins this season.

The Bears return standout junior quarterback Michael McGovern, who led the conference in passing with 220.2 yards per game, and linebacker Brendan Pyne, first in the League last year with 48 solo tackles. If Perry’s new approach takes advantage of his returning talent, the Bears might finally be able to rise from the bottom of the Ivy standings.

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The defending Ivy League champions didn’t drop a single game last year, but were voted to come in third place in the 2019 preseason polls.

Why? Perhaps it’s the graduation of two-time Bushnell Cup-winning quarterback John Lovett and the towering receiver pairing of Stephen Carlson and Jesper Horsted.

Last season, Carlson and Horsted put up a combined 18 touchdowns and more than 1,700 yards, but have left the Tigers behind for a career in the pros. That leaves only one big name on the Tigers' defensive line, senior Graham Adomitis, who will have big shoes to fill. Four hopefuls are battling it out for the quarterback position, the effectiveness of whom remains to be proven.

Harvard football has seen a disappointing end of the decade, as they have hovered around a .500 record after taking the League title in 2011, 2013, 2014, and 2015. The Crimson had a slow start to their 2018 season, losing fairly tight back-to-back games with Cornell, Princeton, and Dartmouth.

They were able to turn it around for their back half, however, as they won their final three games by an average of 24.7 points.

The Cambridge school continues to be a recruiting powerhouse, adding some of the most promising recruits to their 2019 roster. Regardless, the League is chock full of recruited talent, and only time will tell if the team will be able to start out the season on a strong foot, or if they’ll wait until their last three games to start performing.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2019

Despite a middle-of-the-pack finish last season, the Bulldogs have been flagged as the team to beat this year in the 2019 preseason polls. Their 2018 season was plagued with injuries, with starting quarterback Kurt Rawlings and top running back Zane Dudek sitting on the sidelines for the majority of their games. These two impact players were instrumental in Yale’s 2017 Ivy League title and it’s safe to say that their return will energize Yale’s offensive line, featuring first team All-Ivy running back Alan Lamar and two of the conference’s top receivers, Reed Klubnik and JP Shohfi.

The two receivers both rank among the top 10 all-time for Bulldogs receivers and Klubnik is coming off a dynamite 2018 where he set the record for Yale’s single-season receiving yards with 1,143. Entering his eighth season, coach Tony Reno will be sure to capitalize on the dearth of offensive talent, as the offense did not graduate a single starter from 2018.

Harvard Crimson (6-4, 4-3)

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Here's how the other seven Ivy football teams will look in 2019

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Two-sport athlete Tyler Herrick to lead Penn receiving corps Herrick took an unusual path to pass catching DANNY CHIARODIT Sports Editor

Three years ago, Tyler Herrick had his sights set on playing quarterback for Penn. Now, he has a chance to be the Quakers’ No. 1 wide receiver.

The senior was recruited by Penn after throwing for more than 5,000 yards and rushing for nearly 2,000 more in his two years as the starting quarterback at Hutto High School in Texas.

A few miles north of Austin, Hutto has a population of about 15,000. And like many small towns in the Lone Star State, there are few things in Hutto that bring people together more than high school football.

“It was like your typica l Fr iday Night Lights [environment], Texas high school football,” Herrick said.

“It was big time in the sense that we had 1,000 people at our regular season games, and come playoffs, it was crazier.”

After his standout career at Hutto, Herrick was prepared to take the next step and become a collegiate quarterback. But during his freshman year at Penn, he found himself behind a couple of other quarterbacks on the depth chart and didn’t see the field all season.

That’s when Herrick and the coaches decided that a change was necessary. With his speed and natural athleticism, Herrick was still seen as an asset by coach Ray Priore and the offensive staff, which led him to make the change to receiver.

Overall, the transition has paid dividends.

“He has a confidence about himself now. It was a little bit of a slow process getting him ready to play receiver, but the athletic part he was able to handle quite quickly,” wide receivers coach Rick Ulrich said.

“It wasn’t that tough because at quarterback you learn the entire offense, you know everyone’s routes, so making that transition as far as learning the playbook, learning my routes — scheme-wise — was easy because I knew what I had to do

already,” Herrick said.

But even though Herrick already had a grasp on what he was supposed to do as a receiver, execution turned out to be one of the main difficulties for him.

“I would say the biggest [challenge] was route running,” Herrick said. “That’s a skill you need to fine-tune to be good at it, and coming out there, I was like a baby giraffe at first. I didn’t have my legs under me, but it came with time.”

Although route-running may have been an adjustment for Herrick, he has steadily become more involved in the offense.

As a sophomore — his first season playing wide receiver — Herrick appeared in five games and had one catch for 29 yards in the Quakers’ matchup against Columbia. He increased his production last season, as Penn quarterbacks spread the ball to more players after star receiver Justin Watson’s graduation in 2018.

Herrick finished his junior season with eight receptions for 156 yards and two touchdowns.

He and fellow senior wideout Kolton Huber are the only two players on this year’s roster who caught a touchdown pass in 2018.

Herrick and the rest of the offense have been spending the offseason learning the system that first-year offensive coordinator Kevin Morris has installed. While learning a new offense is difficult in itself, the Quakers are also putting new

players at wideout to make up for the graduation of Steve Farrell, Christian Pearson, and Mike Akai.

Seniors Abe Willows and Eric Markes are making the transition to receiver from running back and cornerback, respectively. And Herrick has been instrumental in making sure all of the receivers, both new and old, are on the same page.

“There’s a lot of multiplicity in the offense, and we ask our offensive guys to go from boundary receiver to field No. 2 in the slot to field No. 1.

And he’s one of those guys this year in the preseason that has grasped everything. He knows what to do,” Ulrich said. “He and Kolton [Huber] are going to be the leaders. Kolton’s a little bit more vocal; Tyler is not as much. But the thing that Tyler does for me is if somebody doesn’t know while they’re on the field, he communicates to them. He’s a coach on the field.”

In addition to being a field general, Herrick’s speed is what makes him a threat to the opposing defenses. In fact, the senior also runs for Penn track,

competing at 60, 200, and 400 meters, as well as a couple of relays. Herrick and his relay team earned second team All-Ivy honors after their performance in the outdoor 4x400 last season, and he also holds the ninth-best time in Penn history in the indoor 200.

While playing one college sport is difficult as it is, being a two-sport athlete is a unique challenge that Herrick has taken in stride.

“In the spring, that’s when it gets tough because you have spring ball, and then you’re in season for track,” Herrick said.

“So typically I’d come in in the morning, we'd have spring ball practice or lift, and then come in the evening and have track practice. So I spend a lot of time down here at the [Franklin Field].

“It was a lot, but it’s not anything I can’t handle. I think it’s just about prioritizing my time and cutting out blocks of time and making sure I’m getting my studying done, eating right, and being in the training room.”

Herrick’s Penn career has been filled with changes and transitions, but this season, the senior finally has an opportunity to solidify himself as one of the premier playmakers for the Red and Blue.

The south and east stands are off limits to fans this fall ZACK ROVNER Associate Sports Editor

a masonry façade. Phase 1 was for the upper north section of the facility. That work was completed in 2017. The current scope, Phase 2, includes the upper south and lower east sections. Phase 3 will focus on the upper east and lower south sections. Phase 4 includes the lower north section. Total project expenditures are estimated at $44 million."

Phase 3 will commence in mid-May of 2020.

As a result of the construction, all fans — including those supporting Penn opponents, will be congregated on the north side of the stadium.

“We’re excited for how this will look on television because the cameras will be shooting where the fans are for once,”

Dorman said.

The east entrance will still remain open in a limited capacity in order for the players to access the locker rooms and enter and exit the stadium.

The biggest alteration to the player experience during

this construction comes on the field. As a result of the construction, the Quakers will be placed on the opposite sideline for the 2018-19 season.

“I’d rather not have swapped sidelines, but I've coached in a few places, one being Fordham,

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Expect some changes when you walk into Franklin Field for the Quakers' home opener on Oct. 4.

This past off-season, renovations across Franklin Field resumed, restricting access to much of the stadium to fans.

“The east concourse will be open at a very limited capacity for the team to come out, but the fans will enter and congregate on the north side and really the outer section of the north side,” Penn Athletic Communications Associate Director Chas Dorman said.

This current construction is a continuation of a project that started in 2015 with the goal of reinforcing the concrete in the stadium. The stadium is supported by the same concrete that was used to build the stadium in its inaugural season in 1895, 125 years ago.

The project will be concluded this spring in time for the running of the Penn Relays.

“The Franklin Field project consists of four phases to extend the longevity of the stadium’s concrete structure," FRES executive director of design and construction Mike Dausch wrote in a statement.

“The stadium seating sections a re poured concrete supported by steel beams and

where the sidelines were all on the opposite sideline. It feels like a very dead atmosphere if you don’t have a crowd behind you,” coach Ray Priore said.

“I took a historical perspective and looked back to see if Penn had ever been on that sideline before, and the answer is no.

We can now write some new history with that stuff.”

Renovating t he st adium piece by piece will allow for the stadium to be used during the season, a luxury that not all Ivy teams have had historically.

W hen Pr inceton renovated their stadium in 1997, the Tigers were forced to play their entire season on the road due to the construction.

“We can’t shut the whole stadium down for events like Penn Relays, commencement. We’re lucky enough to have a large enough facility that we can build around and keep it open,” Dorman said.

So, Quaker fans, be prepared for a different angle of the action for this season.

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Back for his fifth year, captain Sam Philippi is ready to play The safety's 2018 season ended in Week 1 due to injury JACKSON SATZ Associate Sports Editor

The road back to the football field has been a long one for Sam Philippi. One could even say that it has been a pain.

Nearly a year removed from suffering season-ending hip and medial collateral ligament injuries in Penn football’s 2018 opener, the two-time second team All-Ivy defensive back has returned for his fifth year as a Quaker, and he’s as motivated as ever.

A lot of things go into that motivation, and among them is the fact that Philippi’s season-ending injury wasn’t a career-ending one. Although the fifth-year opportunity is one that he appreciates, Philippi is working not to weigh himself down with thoughts about his final set of games representing the Red and Blue.

“I’m not trying to put any extra pressure on myself,” Philippi said. “It’s football.

It’s something that I’ve played for 15-plus years now, so I just try to take it one day at a time. … I’m just trying to take it like another season and just always keep the goal in mind of winning an Ivy League championship.”

That said, he’s ready to get going, and he isn’t alone in his excitement at being back on the field. Defensive coordinator Bob Benson raved about Philippi and all that he has brought to the program during his time on campus.

“Sam has started since he was a freshman, and, probably, I’ve been around him more than any other player in my career,” Benson said. “I mean, five years — I can honestly say that I’ve never coached someone that long, and I’ve never met anyone that has so much passion and desire to play. It’s great to have him back. [There’s] no better leader in the world.”

Head coach Ray Pr iore echoed Benson’s praise, harping on Philippi’s commitment to his team and the sport.

“He’s a great leader,” Priore

said. “He leads by example. He was up and walking two days after [his injury]. It’s his willingness to sacrifice it all and put life on hold a little bit.”

Priore, of course, is referring to the role that Philippi undertook after going down with an injury that at the time seemed as if it marked the end of his time sporting a Penn football jersey.

Philippi immediately returned to practice, albeit to the sidelines, and he was in the film room watching tape with his team every day. It was this kind of dedication that had already become a hallmark of Philippi’s character during his four years as a Quaker, even if he was expressing his passion in an unfamiliar way.

“It’s a weird feeling when you haven’t played and you can’t help your team win, in a way,” Philippi said. “It was a different role I had to take on, so it was weird, but I missed playing.”

Senior defensive back Conor O’Brien saw the effects that the injury had on Philippi firsthand, but all that he took from the situation was greater admiration for his teammate.

“Being a leader from the sidelines is a lot tougher than being one from the field,” O'Brien said.

O’Brien is more familiar with that commitment than most. He, along with teammates Riley O’Brien — his

younger brother — Jake Haggard, Grant Ristoff, and Nick Robinson, attended JSer ra Catholic High School in San Juan Capistrano, Calif. with Philippi, and his relentless attitude on the field is nothing out of the ordinary.

“Every time he steps on the field, he’s giving 110 percent and shows no weakness,” Conor O’Brien said. “It really pushes the other guys.”

In the same way that everyone in the program feeds off Philippi’s work ethic, they feel it when he’s down. His injury at

the beginning of what was then his final season was a major blow that left O'Brien, for one, in shock. Philippi's return for a fifth year, though, has re-energized the group.

“He’s one of the best of the best, ever,” Benson said.

“Credit to him and his commitment to coming back. That’s impressive that he’s out here.

I’m thrilled and just impressed.

His work ethic and desire are just ridiculous. I think when you care that much and you’re all in to something, it can only rub off. It’s what we need.”

While players and coaches alike are equally thrilled to have him in the fold once more, it was far from simple for Philippi to get to where he is now.

At first, when he got hurt last November, it was clear that he would be out for the season. Surgery didn’t appear necessary, and Philippi was playing the waiting game. It wasn’t until six months later — six months during which he’d taken all the necessary steps with Penn and the Ivy League to get approval for a fifth year — that he learned that he would need to undergo a hip operation.

“I had surgery in May,” Philippi said. “The plan was to get me back by three months and be able to play, and today I’m out on the field, so it worked.”

Although it was effective, it made for a grueling summer and a slightly cloudy forecast for the fall.

“I pretty much did physical therapy three hours a day, every day, and then I’d just work out on my own too,” he said. “Pretty much my entire sum mer was dedicated to coming back and playing football, and I made it happen, so that was my summer.”

Despite the setback, Philippi

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team and trying to win a game, and you’re not thinking about anything else going on around you in your life or at school. It’s just complete peacefulness and bliss in my head for a little bit, so I missed that.”

That newfound clarity has helped him to reset his approach to the game in what will actually be his final year in the Red and Blue. He has still put in the work — he has probably done more than he would have if he weren’t coming back from injury and an unexpected surgery — but he has done it to be able to do what makes him happy instead of working to find relief from mounting pressure.

Don’t get him wrong, though.

Being out there and having fun doesn’t mean he isn’t dead set on his ultimate goal: winning a third Ivy League title.

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was emphatic that the process has been worthwhile. He wanted to play another year of football, and he wanted to do so at Penn. While he said that he didn’t immediately settle on pursuing a fifth year when he got hurt, he was clear that it was not a last minute decision either.

In his time away from the game, Philippi was able to get some perspective, not only about his desire to continue playing the sport, but also about his reasons to do so. He realized that he might have taken the game too seriously before his injury, and that additional pressure made it challenging to have fun.

“I play football because it’s my comfort zone in a way,” Philippi said. “It’s some people’s nightmare, but it’s my comfort zone, because everything’s just focused on your

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/// 2018 QB STATS

122 1482

NICK ROBINSON /// 2018 QB STATS

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TOUCHDOWNS

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INTERCEPTIONS

.675

COMPLETION PERCENTAGE

Senior quarterback Nick Robinson has often been overlooked during his Penn career. He has just one start in two seasons, and even though he has put up solid numbers, the team has gone in other directions with limited success.

This year, though, things will be different.

“As it has emerged, we really feel Nick Robinson is the best choice for us at quarterback this season," coach Ray Priore said on Saturday.

For the first time in his Penn career, Nick Robinson won't be the backup quarterback.

And for Robinson, his journey to becoming a starter is atypical to say the least.

Three years ago, the Quakers had arguably the best quarterback in the Ancient Eight in Alek Torgersen, who threw for 7,025 yards and 52 touchdowns while leading the Red and Blue to two Ivy titles. Coupled with three-time All-Ivy selection Justin Watson at wide receiver, Penn's offense gave conference foes nightmares.

With Torgersen graduating in 2016, the team looked to highly touted prospect Michael Collins as a replacement.

Collins — set to enter his sophomore year — instead transferred to TCU, leaving the Quakers with a massive hole in its roster.

At this point, Robinson was running the scout team for the 10-3 Georgia Bulldogs. After finishing out the year, he transferred to Saddleback Community College, where he threw for 2,127 yards and 16 touchdowns and earned All-Conference honors and the team's MVP award.

In 2017, with his NCAAmandated transfer year behind him, Robinson was cleared to bring his talents to the Red and Blue, where he backed up then-senior Will Fischer-Col-

At the team's post-game conference, he maintained that the quarterback situation was more than what meets the eye, touching on Nick Robinson's injuries and the two quarterbacks' different skill sets.

“Nick in the early part of the year was hampered by a hamstring pull and told us he couldn’t play, so we stuck with Glover,” Priore said after the team's loss to Princeton. “They both manage the game differently and have different playing styles, strengths, and weaknesses. But truth be told, it’s more than just that one position. I think there’s a lot of other positions we have to take a look at as we look to restock and reload as we head into the offseason.”

“I've had injuries in the past, but I've never had a hamstring injury before," Robinson said. "That was frustrating because the only thing that heals it is time, so there's not a whole lot you can do besides stretch and rest."

After the team's crushing loss to Princeton in the season finale, Penn retooled its coaching staff, adding former Monmouth coach Kevin Morris in January as its offensive

both quarterbacks have done a really good job picking up."

As the season approached, Robinson separated himself from the pack: The coaching staff felt that Robinson had the best grasp of the offense.

“We really feel that Nick Robinson is running the offense very efficiently, and he's gonna get the starting nod," Priore said. “He's improved his game a lot from last season and really has a firm grasp of Morris's offense."

“I think we just got to a point where we thought he had the best knowledge of the offense, and we're trying to put a lot in the quarterback's hands so they can do the right thing at the right time," Morris said. “We're looking for a smart quarterback who can make plays physically, and I think Nick is a great fit."

Priore noted that he had consulted with both Glover and Robinson before making his decision, and he is confident in both of his quarterbacks should anything unexpected happen.

“I spoke to both guys, and they both understand being No. 1 and being No. 2," Priore said. “Both quarterbacks have done a great job of stepping up and running the offense well, and as we all know, it takes one bad play for things to change. But I'm fully confident that both guys understand what it takes and will work really hard for us during the season."

Priore also maintained that the team would be sticking with Robinson — a sharp change in last year's coaching philosophy that emphasized both quarterbacks getting playing time.

“Nick is in control and we're going with him as our

We really feel that Nick Robinson is running the offense very efficiently, and he's gonna get the starting nod."

- COACH RAY PRIORE coordinator. Morris maintained that both players started on equal footing — everyone was competing for a job and no one's job was safe. Morris's offense was going to be more high-paced than John Reagan's offense last year, and the coaches were looking for a quarterback who was comfortable with the playbook and could make pre-snap adjustments if needed.

“I think what we're doing is different [than last year] because before, we were really slow from play to play and the coaches had a lot of control," Priore said. “What we've done [this offseason] is we've put a lot more in the quarterback's hands to make decisions about pass protection and receiver routes and so on, and there are a lot of pieces to it that

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TOUCHDOWNS

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INTERCEPTIONS

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COMPLETION PERCENTAGE

guy," Priore said. “As games dictate things, we'll see the roles of players, but there is just one quarterback for us going into the season. With that being said, this is a growing process and things could change."

For Penn football, this marks the first time in the three years following Torgersen's graduation that Priore has committed to one quarterback. Priore emphasized that the team was comfortable knowing who the starter is every week.

“The players were really receptive to going with one guy and they are confident in both Nick and Ryan. But they're all supporting each other," Priore said. “They're not selfish; they're rooting for Penn."

Stepping into the starting role for the first time can be daunting for players. Robinson, though, claims that there is no change in his mentality as the starter for this season.

"I don't think that my mentality going into each game really changes," Robinson said. "I go into each game ready to play and give my best effort whether I'm the starter or the backup."

Priore had different things to say. The two-time Ivy League coaching champion admitted that it does affect your mentality in a certain way.

“Both [Glover and Robinson] know what it's like to be number two on the depth chart," Priore said. "And as a starter, I do think that you have more confidence and job security."

Robinson will see his second start for the Quakers on Saturday when the Red and Blue travel to take on Delaware in their season opener. Penn is 3-2 all-time against Delaware, but the two teams haven't met since 1983.

For the first time in his Penn career, though, Robinson won't be overlooked; rather, all eyes will be on him this Saturday as Penn looks to return to the top of the Ivy League.

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COMPLETIONS

BY JACKSON JOFFE

brie. Fischer-Colbrie's hold on the starting job was less than solid, and Robinson appeared in six of 10 games in his first year with the Quakers.

Against Brown that year, Robinson made his first start at Penn, throwing for 173 yards and two touchdowns in a 17-7 win. He also received significant playing time against Yale and Central Connecticut in relief of Fischer-Colbrie, throwing for 287 yards and 3 touchdowns between the two games. On the season, he posted 604 passing yards and six touchdowns, with just one interception. Still, Robinson was often overlooked in a year where Fischer-Colbrie struggled mightily at times.

After the graduation of Fischer-Colbrie, Robinson entered a competition with sophomore Ryan Glover for the starting quarterback job.

The quarterback competition was heated early on, and Priore emphasized that he saw great things from both players. However, a lingering hamstring injury impaired Robinson's ability to compete early on, and Glover ended up starting all 10 games for the Quakers.

Glover's first full season as a starter was a mixed bag. He threw for 1,482 yards and seven touchdowns while putting up gaudy rushing numbers against Lehigh and Columbia. However, he tossed six interceptions and especially struggled against Bucknell, Harvard, and Dartmouth. Yet despite his struggles, Glover remained the starter. Again, Robinson was the odd man out.

Robinson still saw significant action throughout the season due to Glover's injuries — tallying 306 yards passing and three touchdowns while seeing action in seven games. Priore emphasized playing both quarterbacks at different times, and he was impressed at each of their work ethics and improvements.

“I think it’s a great competition,” Priore said in September 2018. “I think both [Robinson and Glover] have worked tremendously hard and made huge improvements from last year.”

In the team's season finale at Princeton, Robinson threw for 168 yards and two touchdowns, compared to Glover's 112 yards and zero touchdowns. Robinson didn't completely take over for Glover, though; Priore was insistent on sticking to the team's quarterback rotation.

YARDS

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2019

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2019

Robinson threw for 306 yards and 3 touchdowns in limited action last season

COMPLETIONS

THEDP.COM | THE DAILY PENNSYLVANIAN

NICK ROBINSON, AFTER TWO YEARS AS BACKUP, FINALLY CROWNED PENN STARTING QUARTERBACK

RYAN GLOVER

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Morris' scheme puts more decisions in the hands of QBs MICHAEL LANDAU Sports Editor

line coach after the end of the season.

With all of those moving parts, it might seem unrealistic to expect significant improvement from the offense this year, but Morris has a plan in place to do just that. The quarterback rotation is gone, with senior Nick Robinson selected as the starter, and Morris, along with the help of coach Ray Priore, has overhauled the team’s offensive approach.

“What we’re doing is different because before it was a lot more on the coaches from the

box,” Priore said. “We had that delay offense with the slow cadence, slow huddle, and that allowed a lot more communication from our coaches. What we’ve done is put a lot more in the quarterback’s hands to make the decisions, the calls, the protections.”

Penn also turned the ball over 19 times last season, and reducing that number is a major focus for the Red and Blue going into their opening games.

“We’re really emphasizing ball security. We’re trying to emphasize the ability to get

" We’re trying to emphasize the ability to get on the ball fast and play fast. changes in terms of the recruiting and how the recruiting goes more than it does the actual on the field coaching and the scheme that we’re employing here as opposed to any other place,” he said.

Morris’ connections to Penn run even deeper than his experience in the Ancient Eight, however. He has known Priore for over three decades, and the two have maintained a relationship over that lengthy time span.

“I’ve known Coach since I got into coaching back at Albany way back in the day, and we’ve stayed in touch over the years,” Morris said. “We have really a core group of guys that came into coaching together that are still coaching to this day.”

It shouldn’t be surprising, then, that Morris knows Penn football’s history and what he wants his place to be in it.

“Penn’s been really strong for a long time in football, so hopefully I’m just another cog in that wheel to continue to generate some championships.”

FOOTBALL PREVIEW 1 3

on the ball fast and play fast, control the tempo of the game whether we speed it up or slow it down,” Morris said.

With a significantly revamped strategy for the offense, a full team buy-in is required, and the players seem to be on board with the changes that have been made.

“A lot of guys on the team really like the offense,” Robinson said. “We’re doing a lot of similar things, a lot of different things, but it’s unique in specific ways that I think will help us a lot. It’s fun to play in, too.”

Morris’ current position at Penn isn’t his first coaching experience in the Ivy League.

After spending three years as a head coach at Massachusetts, Morris moved to Yale, where he was offensive coordinator from 2012 to 2013. He most recently worked at Monmouth, where he spent five seasons as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, the same job he currently holds at Penn.

To the outside observer, that time in the Ivy League might seem most helpful for offensive game planning or strategy, but for Morris, the biggest benefits actually come off the field.

“The Ivy [League] really

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2019

For Kevin Morris, practice doesn’t really start until a player mixes up the simplest of directions.

“Football isn’t as easy as you think in terms of getting lined up right or left,” he said. “Sometimes I look at the guys like, 'Really, you go to Penn?'”

Despite those minor miscues, Morris, who was hired as Penn football’s new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in January, has been cherishing his time with the Red and Blue so far.

“They’re all great kids. It’s a great job to have, whether you’re in the Ivy League or just being able to coach in [FCS] or [FBS] football,” he said. “The opportunity to coach these kids at any level is awesome.”

Morris’ job might be awesome, but it definitely won’t be easy. He has been tasked with retooling a Penn offense that averaged only 18.6 points per game overall and 13.0 in Ivy League play last year.

The Quakers’ quarterback situation was in limbo for all of 2018, and John Reagan, their offensive coordinator, was hired by Maryland as offensive

THEDP.COM | THE DAILY PENNSYLVANIAN

New coordinator Kevin Morris to lead revamped Penn offense

THE DAILY PENNSYLVANIAN | THEDP.COM THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2019

14 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Diakite has proven big-play prowess. How will year two go?

The sophomore cornerback led the team in interceptions WILL DiGRANDE Sports Editor

Though last year was Moham med Dia k ite's brea kout season for Penn football, he's expected to be even more impressive this time around.

After bursting onto the Ivy League football scene last year with three interceptions, a team-high and League-high for a freshman, the secondyear defensive back is poised for a not her ca mpa ig n to watch.

As the Ancient Eight’s only finalist for the 2018 Jerry Rice Award, given to the Football Championship Subdivision’s Rookie of the Year, Diakite was put in the national spotlight early in his career with the Quakers. “[Diakite] is a very athletic, smart, committed boundary corner that as a young man has had success against some of the best receivers in the League, and we’re hoping to build on that,” defensive coordinator Bob Benson said.

One of Dia k ite’s shining moments from last season came on a crisp October day in a game against conference foe Columbia. With Penn up 13-10

late in the fourth quarter and looking for its first Ivy win of the year, the Lions weren’t going down easy, putting toget her a last-m inute push toward the end zone.

However, the rookie starter stepped up when the team needed him most, intercepting Columbia qua r terback Josh Bean’s pass deep in Penn territory and returning it 42 yards to kill the danger and ice the game, sending the home crowd at Franklin Field into pandemonium.

Although he was the hero that day, Diakite recalls the moment with humility.

“Ever yone says it ca me down to that play, but our defense really played as one that whole game, and luckily I had the opportunity to make that play,” he said.

L o ok i ng t o t h i s ye a r, Diak ite will have more responsibility on his shoulders after such a strong first-year outing. His play on the field has earned him not only the additional respect of his teammates, but also the coaching staff. “[Diakite was] pretty outstanding and he made some big plays last year,” coach Ray Priore said. “He’s a year older, a lot more mature, and as a young player, he brings a lot of confidence to this group.”

“Being a young guy, that’s

the one thing you worry about, and Mo did his job last year and held down his side very well last year, so I have 100 percent confidence in him,” senior defensive back Tayte Doddy added.

Originally from Northampton, Pa., about an hour north

of Philadelphia, Diakite attended T he Law rencevil le School in New Jersey, where he starred on the ice as well as the gridiron, lettering in hockey for three years.

But as soon as he arrived at Penn, he knew he belonged on campus.

“I just fell in love with the coaches, with the culture, and being from Pennsylvania, it was close to home,” Diakite said. “And sometimes you take it for granted, but every now and then you look and you’re like ‘Wow, I’m really playing in Franklin Field,’ and I love it,” Diakite said.

A large part of being on the team is the relationships he is able to cultivate with his teammates. Thanks to his starting role, Diakite was used to being around the older players both on and off the field.

“All the [defensive backs] are pretty close-knit,” Doddy said. “Mo especially, he came in and played early last year, so we were able to connect and

we established a relationship quickly on the field together.”

Due to another special relationship, one matchup on this year’s Ivy League slate might be a little more personal to Diakite.

W hen the Red and Blue make their way up to Cambridge, Mass. on Nov. 16 to face Harvard, Diakite will be on the opposite sideline from his brother, freshman defensive back Diassa Diakite.

If the sibling rivalry isn’t enough motivation to play well, Diakite and the Quakers will also be out for revenge after the Crimson’s dominant win at Penn’s Homecoming game last year.

Even though expectations are high for Diakite, he isn’t feeling too nervous. If anything, the sophomore is eager to be back on the field and wear the famous red and blue.

“I don’t think we need to feel any pressure; we know what we’re about,” he said.

“I’m ready, I’m ready to go.”

Quakers have had nine AllIvy tailbacks in last 10 years BREVIN FLEISCHER Senior Sports Reporter

" [Brooks] is a very, very humble young man who is also one of the hardest workers on the football team, if not the hardest worker.

– coach Ray Priore

coaching staff and his teammates, Brooks has proven more than capable of doing so. “[Brooks] is a very, very humble young man who is also one of the hardest workers on this football team, if not the hardest worker,” Priore said.

“He owns it. He’s always there

helping out the young guys. It’s not just what he does for himself, but it’s also what he does for the guys around him. He truly leads by example.”

Echoing those sentiments is sophomore running back Trey Flowers. “[Brooks] helped me just as

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Brooks. The senior captain from Georgia has been the engine behind the Red and Blue attack each of the past two seasons.

As a sophomore, Brooks ranked second in the conference

with 6.7 yards per carry on his way to an All-Ivy honorable mention. In his junior season, he took his game to another level, earning second team AllIvy recognition after rushing for a career-high 898 yards.

This season, Priore anticipates even more production from his star player.

“He’s really, really talented, and we expect a lot out of him,” Priore said. “We want to put the ball in his hands and have him be the marquee player on our offense.”

Having a running-centric offense is nothing new for the Quakers, but when Brooks was first recruited by Priore and company, he wasn’t aware of Penn’s overwhelmingly strong running back tradition.

“During the recruiting process, I didn’t know too much about the past running backs at Penn, but once I got on campus, it was a different story,” Brooks said. “I saw a guy like Tre [Solomon], and how successful he was, and how hard he worked, and then it was pretty clear that this was a great place for running backs.”

Brooks attributes much of his success to the leadership of older backs like Solomon who took him under his wing when Brooks was a freshman. Now, as the senior tailback, the star player, and the captain, it’s on Brooks to assume that leadership role.

Accord ing to bot h h is

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2019

Every football program has its own personality, its own defining trait or traits.

Big 12 teams like Texas Tech and Oklahoma are known for airing the ball out and spreading the defense with their quick passing games. Georgia Tech has historically operated with a run-heavy option attack.

At Franklin Field, the running back position has been a strength for the Quakers.

T h roug hout coach R ay Priore’s time with the program, Penn football has produced a disproportionate amount of the best tailbacks in the Ivy League, from Joe Sandberg in the mid-2000s to Lyle Marsh and Brian Wilcox at the start of the 2010s to Tre Solomon, who was unanimously awarded first team All-Ivy recognition in 2016. In the past decade alone, Penn has had nine All-Ivy running backs.

The most recent great runner in that tradition is Karekin

much off the field as he did on the field,” Flowers said. “With academics and adjusting to college life, he was really important.”

Flowers, who played in seven games last season as a freshman, joins Brooks in an talented running back room.

Between Brooks, Flowers, junior Isaiah Malcome, and walk-on senior Dante’ Moore, the position is loaded with talent.

Priore describes it as “the position with the most depth,” while Brooks says, “Our running back stable is as crazy as it’s ever been.”

Considering the program’s history of recruiting and developing elite running backs, those statements shouldn’t be all that surprising.

Brooks has already etched his name with the other great Penn tailbacks, and it looks like some of these younger players could be on their way to doing the same.

If that’s the case, the rest of the Ivy League might want to start crowding the box.

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Brooks looking to continue strong running back tradition

THE DAILY PENNSYLVANIAN | THEDP.COM THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2019

Without Nick Miller, Penn defense turns to two new leaders Zach Evans and Brian O'Neill will start at inside linebacker CHARLIE DOLGENOS Sports Reporter

Inside linebacker Nick Miller may have been the best player in the Ivy League last year. He was a unanimous selection for first team All-Ivy. He was a finalist for the STATS FCS Buck Buchanan Award for FCS Defensive Player of the Year. His list of career accolades are nearly uncountable. Now, with his graduation, it’s someone else’s time. But who will step up?

The position of inside linebacker is known in the football world as the quarterback of the defense, as the they keep everyone organized, constantly shouting directions before the ball is snapped.

Miller was a different breed of inside linebacker, as he largely led by example. “[Miller] was a below-the-radar, unassuming young man. You never found a young man who worked so hard at everything he did,” coach Ray Priore said. “His ability to make a big play when you needed a big play to be made

was probably his best skill.”

“Nick was one of the most quiet leaders I’ve ever seen. He was our weak side [linebacker]. He just hit the ball every time, and that’s what we’re trying to replace,” senior linebacker Zach Evans said. “I think my strong suit has been knowing the defense, understanding concepts, knowing where I fit.”

Replacing Miller’s production will mainly be two upperclassmen: Evans and junior Brian O’Neill.

O’Neill and Evans are two very specific types of leaders. O’Neill is loud, confident, and energetic, while Evans is more calculated.

“I bring an aspect of juice,” O’Neill said. “When I bring that onto the field, everyone’s going to rally together. I think my energy brings everybody up to a new level.”

Penn plays a system in which two inside linebackers are used.

O’Neill, who started all 10 games last year, was the “Mike,” a term for the middle linebacker, who barks directions and keeps everyone on the same page.

O’Neill finished third on the team in tackles last year, second in

tackles for loss, and third in sacks — all while only a sophomore. His energy and confidence suggest he’s up to the task, and he could be in line for a huge year.

Nick Miller’s sophomore year stats were 68 tackles, six tackles for loss, and four pass breakups.

Last season, O'Neill finished with 57 tackles, nine tackles for loss,

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and two pass breakups, which makes it apparent that he is on track to become Penn’s next defensive star. There are going to be a lot more opportunities for him to make plays with Miller out, and the coaching staff knows he’s ready.

“Brian ... yeah. Brian brings the juice,” linebackers coach Jon Dupont said.

On the other hand, Evans played more sporadically last year. He was effective playing both defense and special teams. He finished sixth on the team in tackles, played all 10 games, and was generally a Swiss Army knife. The senior was also one of only two players on the roster to record at least one blocked kick and at least one sack.

This year, O’Neill and Evans are clearly ready for larger roles, but no one is expecting them to completely replace Nick Miller.

“Zach is very cerebral. He’s very intelligent, and understands the defense very well,” Dupont said. “Brian, Zach, and the rest of the linebackers don’t have to do anything outside of their ability.

They just have to conform to the defense and do what their jobs require them to do every play.”

The first chance to see O’Neill and Evans will be this Saturday against Delaware. Time will tell if the duo can fill the void left by Miller, but two things are certain: Evans brings the composure, and O’Neill brings the juice.

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Key players to watch in each positional group this season Turnover at several positions has created competition MARC MARGOLIS Senior Sports Reporter

Changing player positions and replacing graduating All-Ivy talent are two of the many things Penn football coach Ray Priore and his staff has done to improve the team’s outlook heading into this season. Here are the players to keep an eye on at each position this season.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2019

Quarterback Key Returners: Nick Robinson, Ryan Glover Player to watch: Nick Robinson Key Losses: None This first major shake-up comes at the game's most important position. Though junior quarterback Ryan Glover was the incumbent starter, it appears there will be a new man under center to start the season. Senior quarterback Nick Robinson, after

serving as the primary backup to Will Fischer-Colbrie and Glover the past two seasons, has finally secured the starting nod.

Robinson has showed promising flashes in limited time over the past two years. Despite not starting a game in 2018, he appeared in seven of 10 contests, completing over 67% of his passes for three touchdowns and zero interceptions. On the other hand, Glover completed just under 60% of his passes for seven touchdowns and six interceptions.

However, he had over five times as many passing attempts as Robinson, and he is much more of a threat on the ground than his senior counterpart.

All-Ivy selection, Brooks racked up 898 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground. Willows complimented Brooks nicely, totaling over 500 all-purpose yards.

However, with Willows moving to wide receiver this year, expect Brooks to take on an even bigger workload this season.

Likely taking Willows' role as backup running back is sophomore Trey Flowers. Flowers did not play much in 2018, rushing for 22 yards and a touchdown on four carries. Barring injury, expect Brooks to take most of the snaps this season.

Running Back Key Returner: Karekin Brooks Player to Watch: Trey Flowers Key Losses: None

Wide Receiver Key Returners: Tyler Herrick, Kolton Huber Players to Watch: Abe Willows, Eric Markes Key Losses: Christian Pearson, Steve Farrell, Mike Akai

The rushing attack was one of the strongest parts of Penn’s offense last season, with seniors Karekin Brooks and Abe Willows providing a dynamic one-two punch. A 2018 second team

Last season, the biggest question at the wide receiver position was how Penn would replace current Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Justin Watson. This year, the Quakers face a similar

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dilemma in how to replace a senior class of wideouts that combined for nearly 57% of the team's receiving yards and 60% of the team’s touchdowns through the air. Returning to the mix are seniors Tyler Herrick and Kolton Huber. Herrick and Huber each caught two touchdown passes last season, with Herrick pacing all returning wide receivers with 156 yards.

With the loss of three wide receivers to graduation, Penn has moved seniors Abe Willows and Eric Markes to join Herrick and Huber out wide. As previously mentioned, Willows served as a change-of-pace back and a receiving threat out of the backfield in 2018, and he even had more receiving yards than Herrick.

Markes, a former cornerback, is coming over from the other side of the ball. He appeared in all 10 games at cornerback and special teams, and had a timely interception against Bucknell after senior safety Sam Philippi went down with a season-ending injury. Penn has moved players to wide receiver before, with Herrick making the switch from quarterback to wide receiver two seasons ago. The Quakers will look for these moves to improve a passing attack that ranked toward the bottom of the Ivy League in most major statistical categories last year.

Offensive Line Key Returners: Greg Begnoche, Jeff Gibbs, Ace Escobedo Players to Watch: Trevor Radosevich, Dan Beaver, Johnathan Gessner Key Loss: Tommy Dennis Being a new starter under center, much of Robinson’s success or failure will depend on the offensive line. Penn’s line features three returning starters in right tackle Greg Begnoche, right guard Jeff Gibbs, and left guard Ace Escobedo. This unit was one of the strongest in the country in 2018, allowing just over one sack per game, good for 20th in the Football Championship Subdivision.

Most likely joining the senior starters on the line are junior right guard Dan Beaver and junior center Trevor Radosevich.

Neither received much playing time on the line last year, with Beaver primarily playing special teams and Radosevich not appearing in a single game. Radosevich will be an X-factor for the line this season. Strong play from the sophomore could allow everyone to remain in their primary position. Last year, many of the starters were forced to rotate across the line, with Gibbs in particular playing six games at center and four at right guard.

“It would be amazing to stay in one spot throughout the year,” Begnoche said. “But having that experience with moving across the line could really benefit us going into games if someone’s dinged up.”

Defensive Line Key Returners: David Ryslik, Prince Emili, Taheeb Sonekan, Benji Mowatt Players to Watch: David Ryslik, Prince Emili Key Loss: Cooper Gardner Losing an All-Ivy player like Cooper Gardner undoubtedly hurts, but like in most of the defensive units, Penn has the depth to combat the loss of a talented player. Tasked with picking up the slack are seniors Prince Emili and Taheeb Sonekan, as well as juniors David Ryslik and Benji Mowatt.

Mowatt was statistically the most productive of the bunch, finishing second on the team with four sacks. Sonekan blocked two kicks against Sacred Heart in a four-point win. Emili started seven of ten games while Ryslik, a Connecticut transfer, appeared in all 10 games despite not making a start. With the return of many experienced veterans, expect the defensive line not to miss a beat this season.

Linebacker Key Returners: Brian O’Neill, Zach Evans, James McCarthy Players to Watch: Brian O'Neill, Zach Evans Key Losses: Nick Miller, Jay Cammon Jr. Nick Miller was one of the most decorated defensive players in Penn football history, garnering All-Ivy recognition three

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Following the graduation of Jack Soslow, one of the best kickers in Penn football history, junior David Perkins and sophomore Daniel Karrash are competing to step into Soslow’s shoes. The punter spot is also up for grabs, with incumbent senior Drew Brennan in a “dog fight" against sophomore Jake Haggard for the starting job, according to Priore. At long snapper, junior Patrick McGettigan will replace Carson Vey.

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Even if Sam Philippi wasn't returning from his 2018 seasonending hip injury, the Quakers' defensive backfield would still arguably be the strongest unit on the team. Jacob Martin, a safety, and Mohammed Diakite, a cornerback, received All-Ivy recognition last season. Diakite finished as a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award, given to the top freshman in the

Special Teams Key Returner: Drew Brennan Players to Watch: David Perkins, Daniel Karrash, Jake Haggard, Patrick McGettigan Key Losses: Jack Soslow, Carson Vey

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Defensive Back Key Returners: Jacob Martin, Sam Philippi, Conor O’Brien, Mohammed Diakite, Tayte Doddy Players to Watch: Jaden Key, Kendren Smith Key Losses: None

FCS. Penn also returns Conor O’Brien, who led the team in interceptions, and Doddy, who started eight games in place of Philippi. However, it is expected that Philippi will slot back into his starting spot.

Besides returning five players with significant starting experience, freshman safety Jaden Key and freshman cornerback Kendren Smith have each had strong training camps according to Priore. The Quakers will be more than comfortable combatting five wide receiver sets or rotating between personnel given the sheer depth of the defensive backfield.

AR

times while leading the team in tackles, tackles-for-loss, and sacks last season. Though the linebacker unit will undoubtedly miss what Miller brought on and off the field, the Quakers return a bevy of experience to the position. Brian O’Neill, Zach Evans, and James McCarthy all saw a significant amount of reps last season, with O’Neill finishing second to Miller in total tackles.

Evans appeared in all 10 games and finished sixth on the team in tackles. McCarthy split his time between linebacker and special teams, appearing in nine of the team's 10 games. However, this year, McCarthy will be mostly used as a linebacker.

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