Quakers can't let up after win

Football travels to Bucknell It was a momentous occasion when the Penn football team defeated Dartmouth last weekend. The Quakers avenged last season's lopsided defeat to the Big Green, and in the process made a statement that this year's Ivy title could be residing in Philadelphia. But don't break out the champagne bottles just yet, and certainly don't let the Penn coaching staff hear those kind of thoughts before the Quakers clash against Bucknell tomorrow at 1 p.m. (WXPN 88.9-FM) in Lewisburg, Pa. "If we don't give the respect that Bucknell is due, if we don't play with the same focus, if we don't play with the same intensity, if we don't play with the same fervor, then we [won't get the same results]," Bagnoli said. "I'm not happy with their practice habits. You can take that horse to water, but you can't make it drink. "Our coaches are on [the team] and we're trying to get them to understand that for the amount of time you got to get ready to play the game. You only play 10 contests. Now you're down to nine, and you'd better be ready to play all nine. I just hope that they're paying attention. That's all." This and other "kind" words have comprised the pregame messages of Bagnoli and the rest of his staff. The hope is that the players will set aside the joy of last week's win, and concentrate on tomorrow's confrontation with Bucknell (1-1) at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium. "We should have come away with some momentum and confidence that we can compete with the better teams," Bagnoli said. "I think we came away with those. But also with it, we've got to get away from the complacency that 'oh gee I'm still basking in last week's glory and this is great now.' Last week's done with. We enjoyed the victory. As far as I'm concerned, Sunday it's over, and you look to the next opponent and focus on them." From senior quarterback Jim McGeehan's standpoint, the message is coming through loud and clear. "The coaches don't let up," McGeehan said. "They keep us focused. The coaches keep you in perspective. They keep you in check. You don't have to worry about getting a big ego or any overconfidence. If you do let up, you're going to get smacked by reality on the first play of the game." Heading into the game against Bucknell, Penn's biggest concern other than its own complacency is the unpredictability that the Bison could have after experiencing a week off. "We're not really sure what to expect [out of Bucknell]," Bagnoli said. "We've seen them [on film], but with a week off, that gives them two weeks to prepare a little different game plan and add some new wrinkles. What effect that will have I don't know. We're really up in the air in terms of new formations we haven't seen or different style of play. Those are some questions were trying to answer ourselves." There are some things that the Quakers can expect. One is junior quarterback Travis Kopp (14 for 27, 121 yards two weeks ago). Another is Kopp's favorite receiver, Patriot League sprint champion Damon Garner. But the Bucknell unpredictability again arises at tailback, where there is freshman tailback Rich Lemon. Lemon amassed 210 yards rushing in Bucknell's first game against Bloomsburg, but was knocked out of the Bison's game against Lafayette with a neck injury in the second quarter. Lemon will probably play against Penn, but it is not a certainty. Defensively, the Bison feature a 4-3 defense that showcases the talents of preseason all-league middle linebacker Russ Strohecker, who in Bucknell's first game finished with 17 tackles and a blocked field goal. But if there is a weakness to be found, it is on the Bison defensive line, which lost three starters of a year ago and did not generate sufficient pressure in their 31-14 loss to Lafayette. "They're inexperienced up front, but they do have some pretty physical kids." Bagnoli said. "They scare me," McGeehan said. "They can make some plays, [especially] if we aren't concentrating. We've got to maintain our composure [for the entire game]." As is the case with all sports, winning the game will be the most important thing for Bagnoli and the Quakers. However, it is also important for the coaches that Penn improve in some key areas and use this non-league game to tighten any other screws that might be slightly loose. "There are a few areas I hope we do better on [tomorrow]," Bagnoli said. "Number one is penalties. We obviously had 11 for over 100 yards [last week], many in crucial situations that got us out of field position that could have made the score a lot more comfortable than it was. I think the other thing we have to do better on is the kicking game. Some of the facets were very good, like kickoff coverage. But certainly we should be hitting more than one out of three field goal attempts that we try, and that's something we stress. Hopefully that will continue to improve." If the Quakers do improve, and the team heeds the cautious and wise words the coaching staff is throwing at it, this weekend could be another step in Penn's ultimate quest for an Ivy Championship. "The schedule played a little bit into our favor," Bagnoli said. "You have your doubts when you play a real good team early, but if you can come away with a [victory], then you have three non-league opponents and you have a young team and you hope you're going to be able to generate some momentum and a little bit more cohesiveness than we had. Hopefully that will make for a better offense and defense."