FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK: Quakers are doing it with defense

Penn's defense has been the constant bright spot in a down and up season. Last Saturday, the Penn defense stood iron-strong in their 26-7 win against Yale, not allowing a single point. All season long, the Quakers "D" has devoured opposing Ancient Eight offenses. Only three Ivy League touchdowns have been scored while the Quakers defense was on the field. The Penn defense is tops in the league, allowing 265 total yards per game, and is second in giving up an average of only 15 points a showing. This stellar defense has yet to play one full game without having to change around the the first string personnel. With defensive tackle Mitch Marrow's sickness and safety Jim Finn's switch to the offensive side, the Quakers' defense has been able to keep it together when it comes to league games. "We thought our defense was going to be pretty good," Bagnoli said. "We still would be pretty good without Mitch, but I think once you get Mitch in there it becomes better than pretty good. We are getting good play from a lot of people." · With the changes on defense, many new faces have come to life. Out of the emerging younger stars is sophomore linebacker James Hisgen. Filling in for the injured senior linebacker Tim Gage, Hisgen's playing time has dramatically increased the last few games along with his productivity. "You had the sense that he had a presence out there," Bagnoli said. "We are really happy with the way he is coming along, only being a sophomore. He gives us some quality depth at linebacker, good special teams player, and someone that I think has a bright future here." Against the Elis, Hisgen and the Quakers rendered only 81 rushing yards and 29 yards through the air. Individually, Hisgen had six solo tackles, two assisted tackles, and a fumble recovery in the third quarter. "I have been trying to give everything and make plays when I get the chance," Hisgen said. "I wanted to make sure the other team did not get many yards or come up with a big play." Hisgen felt that the weather also played a role in diminishing Yale's offense. "In the beginning of the game, it was not that bad, because [the field] was soaked," Hisgen said. "As the game rolled on, it was just mud in the middle of the field, and it was hard to get traction. It did not really affect us, but they were fumbling and dropping balls." With Gage healthy, Bagnoli has a dilemma most coaches would enjoy having to be stuck with. The Penn coach will wait a few more days before deciding on the starter for Saturday's homecoming game against Princeton. NFL prospect Mitch Marrow finally recorded his first sack of the season against Yale. With his presence in the lineup after a bout with a "mono-like" virus, the Quakers defense should be set to make their stretch run. "He creates opportunities that haven't been there," Bagnoli said. "You have to scheme for what Mitch can do and where he lines up. You have to be conscious of where he is, and consequently it opens up some opportunities for other kids on the defensive line." · Jim Finn's performance of 187 rushing yards in 21 attempts and two touchdowns vaulted him to the top of many statistical categories in the Ivy League. Finn's 60 points, an average of 8.57, ties Brown wide receiver Sean Morey for the league lead. The other league leaders have played four Ivy League games, but in just three games as a full-time running back Finn is already fifth in the Ivies with 454 yards on the ground with a league best 6.1 yards per carry. Even with these remarkable figures, Bagnoli still wants to share the load between Finn and running backs Jason McGee and Melvin Alexander. "We have never had just one guy," Bagnoli said. "There are just too many carries in a game for one person. We are really happy with Jim's production. Jason McGee has shown some good flashes. It will be those two basically, and if we can get Melvin a carry or two, we will try to do that as well." · Doug Zinser capped off another excellent game with six solo tackles and two assisted tackles. Included in those takedowns are three tackles for a combined loss of 15 yards and a half-sack in the fourth quarter for a loss of four yards. Zinser, for superstitious reason, declined to comment about his performance. · With Dartmouth's 27-0 loss to Harvard over the weekend, Penn now has the luxury of controlling their own destiny despite the fact that Harvard (6-1, 4-0) currently has sole possession of first place in the Ivies. If the Quakers are victorious in their November 15 trip to Cambridge, Mass., however, a three-way, first-place tie will exist between Penn, Harvard, and Dartmouth -- assuming those teams all win this coming week. In crowning the Ivy League champion(s), tie breakers do not exist.

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