DeRosa tries to answer QB question mark for football

There are many obstacles inherent to entering a football season as the team's new starting quarterback. It doesn't take a great football mind to realize this. But how much larger do these obstacles loom when the team is coming off an undefeated league championship season? This is a question that requires a little more thought. It's also the question staring Mark DeRosa smack in the face. For it's DeRosa who has been named the new starting signal caller, replacing second team all-Ivy selection Jim McGeehan. DeRosa, who also plays third base for the Quaker baseball team, will make his debut Saturday when Penn opens its season at home against Lafayette. McGeehan plans to call DeRosa before the game to settle his nerves. "I'm going to tell him to relax, not to let the pressure get to him, and let his natural ability take over," he said. "He shouldn't think too much out there. Mark will be a phenomenal quarterback." As the game approaches, the sophomore quarterback finds himself surrounded by both unanswered questions and guarded optimism. He seems to have proven himself on the practice field, but there are still adjustments to make -- both on and off the field. "Mark definitely has the physical tools to play the position," quarterbacks coach Jim Collis said. "He has good athletic ability and good arm strength. He has most of the intangibles and he knows how to handle himself. Right now, we're trying to develop the mental approach and the confidence." DeRosa won the starting job after outdueling fellow sophomore Steve Teodecki at training camp. "I think the competition in camp definitely helped us both," DeRosa said. "Waking up every day at 6 in the morning and getting out there. Everyone else was at the beach and I had to go out and show the coaches I deserved to be the starting quarterback." Teodecki will enter the season as the backup quarterback, and also feels the competition for the starting role was a positive thing. "There was a lot of competition between us, but we've both felt pressure before," he said. "Mark definitely has the talent to run the system. It's all basically based on reads and timing, so the only thing that will have to come for both of us is experience." Experience may indeed be the biggest question facing DeRosa heading into the season. One of the biggest factors for Penn throughout last year's 10-0 campaign was the effective decision-making ability of McGeehan. McGeehan, who only threw five interceptions last season, also is Penn's all-time passing leader. His role will not be an easy one for DeRosa to fill quickly. But DeRosa will certainly have plenty of help. The Quaker offense returns a solid offensive line and two first team all-Ivy players in running back Terrance Stokes and wide receiver Miles Macik. "I'm definitely going to get thrown into the fire," he said, "but I've got to control my nerves, get the job done and use the guys around me. Last year was a learning process behind Jimmy, and now I have what he had -- the best offensive skill players in the league in Miles and Terrance." The entire Quaker offense will take measures to ease DeRosa's transition into the starting role. The Penn coaching staff will do its best to stay out of must-pass situations by utilizing Stokes and the other backs as effectively as possible. "I think early, there's going to be more of an emphasis on the running game," Stokes said. "All the running backs are going to have to chip in and pick their game up to another level. It's going to take DeRosa a couple games to get the feel for the college game." DeRosa's baseball experience may help him to speed the process up a bit. He is confident his lack of size -- at only 6-foot-1 and 164 pounds -- will not be a factor because of the quickness and reactions he has honed on the diamond. "At third base, it's all thrown at you or hit right at you," he said. "It's all reaction. At quarterback, it's the same thing. You get the snap and defensive players are all coming at you. You have to react. I want to know how to read every defense when I come to the line, so I know where the ball's going before the snap. That will take a little time, but it's coming." There's no mistaking the difference between last season and this one for the Quakers. Penn started '93 with an experienced leader at quarterback and plenty of inexperience at the other offensive spots. The final product was a dominant team with a perfect record and an Ivy title. This year, the tables are turned. The experience lies in the hands of the running back and the wide receivers, but the inexperience is at quarterback. Will the final product be the same? Look to Mark DeRosa for the answer. "I think there's going to be a lot of pressure on me," DeRosa said. "I think people are looking for the same thing as last year -- an undefeated team and a league title. It's just going to be something I have to deal with. I'm nervous, but I know I have to mature quickly."

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