As a freshman in 1999, Penn defensive end Chris Pennington had all of three tackles.
Pennington nearly doubled that total in three separate games last year. The Dresher, Pa., native had five tackles against Yale, Harvard and Princeton.
In fact, Pennington had as many sacks in that Tigers game as he had tackles in 1999.
All around, the totals in 2001 were much larger for Pennington. In 2000, he had two solo stops against Fordham and an assisted tackle against Columbia.
Last year, Pennington had 34 tackles (13 for losses), 6.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries.
It's not too surprising, then, that the La Salle High School graduate was named Penn's Most Improved Defensive Player a year ago.
Pennington returns as a starter this year, joining senior Kevin Martin at defensive end.
Martin, who missed all of 1999 with an ankle injury, had 25 tackles, 3.5 sacks and a fumble recovery last year.
Two of those sacks and the fumble recovery were against Princeton, meaning he combined with Pennington for five sacks in the contest.
