Lwt. Football has a win in mind

The Quakers are trying to rebound from a 38-0 loss to Army last weekend. After a disappointing 38-0 loss to Army last week at West Point, N.Y., the Penn lightweight football team returns to Franklin Field to take on Cornell tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. The Red and Blue are hoping to kick off Parents Weekend with a big win, as they face the Big Red for the second time this season. Despite losing to Cornell, 21-7, on September 9, this week's game is the one that matters for the Quakers, because their first matchup was a non-Eastern Lightweight Football League game. In that first confrontation, Penn (1-2, 0-1 ELFL) did not execute its game plan. The team passed the ball poorly, only 131 yards compared to Cornell's nearly 300, and was whistled for nine offensive penalties. Penn's goal for this week has been to concentrate on getting the offense and defense to work together. "As a whole, the team seems to be feeling pretty good," Penn coach Bill Wagner said. "We have shown much improvement this week after a physical beating at Army, and this weekend looks to be an exciting, close game." In an effort to regroup after losing to a tough Army team, the Quakers are ready to fight. The season is far from over for Penn. Last year, after losing to Navy, the Quakers went on to win their next three games and eventually a piece of the ELFL championship. "Every team in this league is beatable. Cornell is highly beatable," said Penn senior wide-out Gordon Austin. "We just have to step up our playing over and above what we did last week." This season has not been without injuries for the Quakers who find themselves down yet another player, junior tight end, Scott Verrone, who is out for the season with a compound leg fracture. "It's always difficult to lose a player who always puts in his best effort, however, we took our losses straight to heart and we are even more prepared this week then we've been for any other game this year," Penn senior center Mark Menkowitz said. "We have to take the good with the bad and simply capitalize on Cornell's mistakes," Penn defensive back Mario Malcolm said. "It will be a game where we need to make them turn over the ball." The Quakers have been working hard this week in anticipation of tomorrow's game. Their first match up against Cornell (3-1, 1-1) was a warm-up. This week, the Red and Blue are prepared to move the ball and remain focused on holding back Cornell. If both the offense and defense can work together on the field, the Quakers will be able to take revenge on the Big Red.