BUILDING BLOCKS: Julien, Wright anchor the O-line

Over the past three seasons, coach Al Bagnoli has turned the Penn football team into a Division I-AA powerhouse. At the heart of Bagnoli's success has been the Quakers' rock-solid offensive line. Thanks in large part to first-team all-Ivy honorees like Pete Giannakoulis, Scott Freeman, Bill Glascott and Rick Knox, Bagnoli and offensive coordinator Chuck Priore were able to map out a potent combination of an explosive air attack and a consistent ground games. Now with the opening of the 1996 season just around the corner, none of those four blockers remain. Giannakoulis departed two seasons ago, and last spring Freeman, Glascott and Knox graduated, leaving an offensive line with a lot of big shoes to fill. Right guard Matt Julien, at 6-foot-4, 250 pounds, is the only returning lineman who started for the Quakers in 1995. His own personal assessment of the O-line is one of cautious optimism. "I know our offensive line right now is going to be a little bit of a question mark as we lost three senior starters," he said. "But I think we have guys like [Mark] Fleischhauer, [Sears] Wright and [Tom] Krol with some playing experience who are ready to start." Even at its present developmental stage, the Quakers are fortunate to have three more seniors ready to replace Freeman, Glascott and Knox. In addition to Julien, Penn will feature Wright (6-6, 340) at left tackle and Fleischhauer (6-0, 280) at left guard. "We lost some experience last year. We had the luxury of having three three-year starters, which is a bit unusual," Bagnoli said. "But with Julien and Wright, this is not as an inexperienced group as one might think." One other senior that figures to serious playing time, despite having yet to start a game, is Krol (6-2, 260) at the right tackle position. But probably the biggest adjustment on the offensive line will be at the center position, where junior Mike Soyster (6-2, 265) jumps across the line from his customary position on the defensive line. "Soyster is a solid football player with good instincts," Priore said. "We still have two more weeks to work with him before Dartmouth. But by then he should be ready to go." On the left side of the line, the Quakers will count on a slimmed-down Sears Wright, who impressed the coaches with his off-season training schedule. In all, Wright lost nearly 50 pounds since the final snap of last season, bringing his weight down to 340 pounds. "After working real hard in the gym all summer, I feel I am in the best shape I have been in a while," Wright said. "I have lost a lot of weight, feel good and am just looking forward to the start of the season." Backing up Julien, Wright and Co. are a number of upperclassmen. Competing for playing time will be juniors Chris Riley (6-4, 270), Adam Conish (6-2, 250), Chris Cooney (6-2, 240) and Aaron Atkins (6-3, 305). Bagnoli, who in the off-season observed his younger linemen with a watchful eye, commented that all four of his reserves will add some quality depth. As the offensive line continues to mature throughout the fall, Bagnoli feels this season's unit has some "talented kids," who might not be as experienced as other groups in previous years but have the potential to be just as successful.