FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK: Penn's nine-point OT win was rare feat

As the score of Saturday's Penn-Bucknell game hit the nation's sports tickers, it probably didn't raise too many eyebrows. After all, 30-21 is a pretty normal score for a football game. The truth is, however, that the Quakers' nine-point overtime triumph was a pretty special accomplishment. The new NCAA overtime system is designed for a team to win by one score -- score on your possession and stop the opposition. In fact, there are only three ways to win with multiple scores (return a blocked kick, fumble or interception), but the Quakers managed it. Down three points, the Bison tried the tying field goal, which would have extended the game to another overtime session. But the kick was blocked, and Penn defensive back Chris Parsons took it back 75 yards for the one of the least important touchdowns imaginable. For the theoretically minded, the most points a team could win by under the overtime rules is 14. But this would involve a two-point conversion and the losers having a fumble or interception returned for a touchdown (an extra-point attempt would not be awarded after the second TD). In other words, savor those Penn-Bucknell memories -- that is about as weird as it gets. · Speaking of blocked kicks, Penn defensive end Roger Beckwith is becoming something of a specialist. Although his most important block was the aforementioned game winner against Bucknell, Beckwith also made his presence felt on opening day at Dartmouth, getting his hands on a first-half field-goal attempt and a late extra-point try. Beckwith has no magic formula for his unique skill. Being 6-foot-3 and having a 39-inch vertical leap has to suffice. "It's real simple, the D-line gets a good push, and I just jump as high as I can," Beckwith said after Saturday's game. Kickers beware. · Last year, Aman Abye and Jasen Scott combined for 1,379 rushing yards. Through three games, the two seniors are on pace for a near identical 1,393. So what's changed? Everything. If there was any defining feature of Penn's ground game in 1995, it was diversity. The Quakers broke the tradition of making one player the No. 1 back, instead maneuvering then-juniors Scott and Abye, along with then-senior Dion Camp, depending on the day's opposition and who happened to be hot. That system was expected to continue in 1996, with junior Rick Granata, a transfer from Eastern Michigan, replacing Camp in the triumvirate. Now, three weeks into the season, Scott has grabbed the coveted No. 1 spot all for himself. "I don't think we have a set number -- we'll give [Scott] the ball as many times as we feel comfortable giving him the ball and he feels comfortable carrying it," Penn coach Al Bagnoli. Abye suffered a mild concussion against Dartmouth, which limited his use, and Granata took a helmet to the knee in the first half at Bucknell. Still, the reasons Scott has emerged are his averages --124 yards per game and 5.2 per carry. Abye will have to find a new niche in the offense, perhaps seeing more time at wide receiver where he has played some downs this season. However, in Granata's absence, he may see get more carries against Columbia. · The Quakers knew that pass coverage could be a problem this season, and, if the early returns are any indication, they were right. Dartmouth quarterback Jon Aljancic threw for 227 yards on opening day and, last weekend, Bucknell's Jim Fox came out of a slump with a 22-for-36, 235-yard performance. The obvious explanation is the extreme youth of the team's defensive backs. "They're not just inexperienced -- there are three sophomores," Bagnoli said. "You try to minimize it, you try to show them a million things. You've got two of those kids [James Finn and Bruce Rossignol] who weren't even on defense last year." The only returning starter in the secondary is Larrin Robertson, a junior cornerback. "I think the inexperience gets out of the way after the first quarter of the first game," senior free safety John Bishop said. "Take last Saturday for example. We had some mental breakdowns, just a lack of concentration. I think that is something that can get fixed and will get fixed in coming weeks." · The Quakers have several injuries of note heading into Saturday afternoon's clash with undefeated Columbia at Franklin Field. In addition to Granata, senior offensive lineman Tom Krol is out with a severely twisted ankle suffered against Colgate. Senior wide receiver/returnman Mark Fabish was about 75 percent last weekend, according to Bagnoli. He should be fully healed from his thigh contusion, also a remnant of the Red Raiders. Senior defensive tackle Mitch Marrow is fully recovered from the twisted ankle he suffered against Dartmouth, while backup linebacker Scott Gaskell is out.