Penn tries to write history

Quakers go for 700th win When Penn takes the field for its homecoming contest tomorrow, the Quakers will be lining up against the winningest program in college football history. Apparently, the Yale student-athletes aced their ancient history courses. However, modern history is a far different subject -- one the Elis have evidently had trouble mastering. When Yale steps on the Franklin field turf (1:12 p.m., PRISM, WXPN-FM 88.5), it will be facing the football team with the nation's longest winning streak. Additionally, that team will be going after its monumental 700th victory. "There's a lot of excitement for the program," Penn running back Terrance Stokes said. "It's a big game for us. They're the winningest program, and that's something this University definitely wants to achieve." And by all indications, victory No. 700 should be well within the Quakers' reach. Look at the two defenses to see that. The Yale defense gave up 30 points against Columbia last week. Penn has given up 29 points all season. "Their defense has been driving us crazy," Yale coach Carm Cozza said. "No one's been able to do anything against them. They're unreal." The Quakers defense has been up to the challenge all season. If you take away an interception return for a touchdown against Lafayette, and a voluntary safety against Dartmouth, the Penn defensive unit has allowed 20 points in five games. With the defensive line consistently getting to the passer, the linebacking corps shutting down the run and the secondary blanketing receivers, the Quakers (5-0, 3-0 Ivy League) have vaulted to the top of the defensive charts. "We've done a good job of minimizing big plays," Penn coach Al Bagnoli said. "If people have moved the ball against us, it's had to come in chunks. Its real hard to piece together a 12-play, 80-yard drive. That's been one of our secrets." Yale (3-3, 1-2) has big-play capability and an offense that, when healthy, is capable of putting up points. One of the Elis threats who is still standing is wide receiver Dan Iwan. Iwan should be involved in one of the game's more intriguing matchups. He will be isolated against Penn cornerback Kevin Allen. This is not a new assignment for the junior who has been covering Iwan since the two were freshmen. "We've been matching up against each other since we beat them by one point two years ago," Allen said. "He's a great receiver. He's got all the tools." Yale, however, comes into tomorrow's game in the midst of a three-game slump. The Elis started their season on a promising note, winning their first three contests. Then injuries struck. First, the premier tight end in the Ivies, Jim Langford, went down with a broken leg against Lehigh. The following week it was starting quarterback Chris Hetherington who was relegated to the sidelines with a hip injury. Joining Hetherington on the bench was Price, who banged up the knee which forced him to miss all of last season. While Hetherington and Price will suit up tomorrow, the Elis are clearly not at full strength. "We're not the same team we were the first three games of the year," Cozza said. "We have to heal up in a hurry, because Penn is an unbelievable team. I don't see any weaknesses at all." Adding to the fun of tomorrow's game will be the homecoming festivities. With alumni flocking back to Philadelphia, the Quakers are looking forward to shining in front of members of past teams. The large crowd and PRISM television coverage should guarantee Penn does not overlook Yale. "I think we'll be more excited because its homecoming," Bagnoli said. "You get judged by your peers who come back. Our seniors are realizing that they're in the home stretch of their careers. There are a lot of reasons to get excited for this game." Not the least of which is to give Yale a schooling in the art of modern history.