BUILDING BLOCKS: Stokes and Macik will pace high-powered offense

When reminiscing about Penn's memorable 1993 football campaign, many aspects of the Quakers stand out. Jim McGeehan's record-breaking season. The defense's containment of Keith Elias in the emotional victory over Princeton. But, perhaps more than anything else, the Quakers' undefeated season was due in large part to two emerging stars on offense who sent shock waves through the rest of the Ivy League. Those two players are senior running back Terrance Stokes and junior wide receiver Miles Macik. Stokes and Macik lead a talented group of running backs and wide receivers as the Quakers head into the opener Saturday against Lafayette. And if these two stars can duplicate their success from a year ago, Penn could be headed for its second straight Ivy League crown. "They are both very quiet, very humble kids who have great work ethics," coach Al Bagnoli said. "They have tremendous individual pride. While they are great players, they are very team oriented and will do whatever it takes for the team to win." A major part of the Quakers' winning ways last year was due to the quick feet of team captain Stokes. Stokes slashed through opposing defenses last year, quickly erasing any lingering memories of former all-Ivy running back Sundiata Rush. This year, the Quaker staff is looking for more of the same. "We're looking for Terrance to be even more successful this year," running backs coach Darrell Hazell said. "He's got a lot of things going for him. He's got great vision, great quickness. His biggest attribute may be his ability to respond to an unblocked player and make him miss. Those are things you can't teach." You also can't teach what Stokes did to the Princeton Tigers last season, almost singlehandedly beating Penn's archrivals in the biggest game of the season. Stokes had the best rushing day in school history, carrying the ball 42 times for 272 yards. For the season, Stokes rushed for 1,211 yards and six touchdowns, and earned first team all-Ivy honors, as well as honorable mention All-America by the Sports Network. Not bad for a 5-foot-10, 156-pound back who coaches thought would be too small to be the featured runner in a college offense. Although Stokes will receive about 75 percent of the calls, there are other backs who can spell him while giving a lift to the Quaker offense. Most notably, sophomores Aman Abye and Jasen Scott will see action off the bench. Abye carried 33 times last year for 148 yards and one touchdown. He also showed some big-play capability, breaking some large runs, including a 42-yarder. Scott (36 carries, 177 yards) was the second-leading rusher on the team last year, and should see even more time. "We have better-than-adequate backups," Hazell said. "Most of these kids would probably start at most other programs. While Terrance will receive the brunt of the carries, the other two will spell him when he's sucking wind." While Scott and Abye are a major part of Penn's future, Macik is very much a part of the present. Macik was named first team All-America by the Sports Network, and second team All-America by the Associated Press, in addition to being first team all-Ivy. He was also the Ivy League Rookie of the Year in '92. All of these honors were well earned, as Macik set the all-time Penn record for receptions in a season with 72 catches. He also set the record for touchdowns in a season, with 13. All in all, he totaled 840 receiving yards, averaging almost 12 yards per catch. "Miles is a tremendously talented player," offensive coordinator Chuck Priore said. "But there is no question that he can get even better. He has already done some things in the offseason to improve his game. He's increased his size about 10 to 12 pounds in muscle weight so he's more durable, and he has also gained a step on the field. "We're definitely expecting big things from him. Having the success that he did last year, teams will obviously be looking for him. But we think we can find some ways to get him the football." The graduation of starting wideout Chris Brassell leaves a void opposite Macik. The Quakers will look to four players to step up by committee. Sophomore Mark Fabish, who saw extensive action last year as a return man will see more time, as will senior Leo Congeni. Both are small wideouts (5-10, 166 and 5-9, 155, respectively) who will rely mostly on their speed. The other two wideouts are junior Erik Thompson and classmate Felix Rouse. Thompson comes off a year's sabbatical from football after transferring from Carnegie Mellon. Both Thompson and Rouse are bigger receivers than Fabish and Congeni, and will be more possession receivers. Although both players are bona fide stars -- perhaps the two best in the Ivy League -- the Penn coaching staff insists the Penn offense will not be the "Miles and Terrance" show. The staff not only believes, but expects substantial contributions from the supporting group of backs and receivers. "In no case will we be only a Miles Macik-Terrance Stokes team," Priore said. "We weren't last year. We've got to do the same thing and spread the ball around. If you can do that, then that will free up [Macik and Stokes] to have big years. If you try to limit it, then teams will be able to do some things against you." A sound game plan. But rest assured: If the Quakers are going to compete for the first back-to-back title since 1986, No. 22 and No. 2 will get plenty of calls.