If last Saturday's game at Lafayette is any indication, this year's version of the Quakers could be even better than last year's squad.
That all depends, of course, on execution. Penn fans will get a taste of what's in store this season in tomorrow's Ivy League opener against 0-1 Dartmouth.
"I don't think that we were satisfied with our performance even though we put up some points," Penn wide receiver Rob Milanese said. "I think we know that we have a lot more potential to fulfill."
Even though the offense wasn't firing on all cylinders, Penn showed flashes of the ability that allowed it to take over games last season.
The offense exhibited an extremely balanced attack -- 233 rushing yards, 238 passing yards -- that produced 37 points, albeit with two turnovers.
However, it looks as though this year's version of the Quakers can afford to take its time getting in sync on offense.
On Saturday, Penn's defense looked like a championship unit, stifling Lafayette en route to a shutout victory.
"Our kids played really hard and we never gave them the opportunity to generate anything," Penn coach Al Bagnoli said. "I think we tackled well and played well in space."
The shutout effort compares favorably to last season, when the fewest points that Penn allowed was 14. The Quakers now have the prospect of adding an improved defense to their already potent offense.
"I think that this year's defense is a much more cohesive unit," Penn junior defensive end Chris Pennington said. "The defensive line, ends and linebackers are moving around and transitioning much better than last season."
Penn received a promising effort from its defensive backs, which came into the season as the team's most inexperienced unit.
"I thought they played well, and we got seven or eight players out there," Bagnoli said. "It's good to see because there's going to be a lot of pressure on them this year from the pass-happy offenses that they'll see."
Those defensive backs will certainly be tested this weekend by Dartmouth, a team that relies heavily on the pass.
The Big Green are on the opposite end of the Ivy spectrum from Penn this season, and will be looking to topple the Quakers to start a recovery from a very disappointing finish last year.
As Penn marched to the 2000 Ivy title, Dartmouth managed to compile only two wins on its way to a last-place tie.
Dartmouth's misfortunes continued in its opener against New Hampshire.
The Big Green came from behind, only to give up a game-winning touchdown in the closing seconds. Their 38 points were good only for a footnote as the most points Dartmouth has ever scored in a loss.
The problem could be holding on to the reins in the shootouts that Dartmouth figures to be involved in. Last year, opponents averaged more than 40 points per game against the Dartmouth defense.
Even with the struggles, no one will be taking Dartmouth lightly this year. The offensive firepower is obviously there, evidenced by the Big Green's explosion for 558 total yards in their game against New Hampshire -- tops in Division I-AA.
"I think that Dartmouth is definitely better this year than they were last year," Milanese said. "They played respectably against New Hampshire, who plays in the Atlantic-10, and they probably should have beaten them."
Leading the attack for Dartmouth is quarterback Greg Smith. He passed for 416 yards against New Hampshire, coming just three yards short of now-Dolphins QB Jay Fiedler's school record.
Dartmouth sophomores Jay Barnard and Casey Cramer each topped the 100-yard receiving mark in the game, and a surprise offensive push came from senior tailback Michael Gratch, who rumbled for 144 yards after totaling only 513 yards all of last season.
Unfortunately for Dartmouth, its defense couldn't hold onto a lead after the offense brought the team back from a 35-14 deficit. New Hampshire drove 60 yards and completed a touchdown pass in the closing seconds to sink the Big Green.
This weekend will be a good indication of whether or not the Quakers will truly have the combination of offense and defense for another title run.
"Football is a team game, so we will be a championship team only if the offense and defense play very well," Pennington said. "The proof I think will come this week against Dartmouth. If we can shut down the No. 1 passing offense in 1-AA, then we might deserve some publicity."
If Penn can shut Dartmouth down, then it would be a solid beginning to what could be another Ivy championship run.
