Ryan making rush at Penn football record

Senior running back Kris Ryan's top priority on Saturday is leading the Penn football team to victory against Cornell at Franklin Field.

His second is for Yale to defeat Harvard in New Haven, Conn., giving Penn a share of the 2001 Ivy League championship.

But as much as Ryan's mind will be on the team this weekend, the team's will be on Ryan as he attempts to break Penn's all-time career rushing record.

"Kris is a great guy," Penn senior offensive tackle Jeff Hatch said. "Nobody deserves it more than him."

Ryan has run for 1,163 yards in the Quakers' first eight games this year, pushing his four-year total to 3,061.

That stands only 77 yards behind Bryan Keys' mark of 3,137 yards. Keys carried the ball for the Red and Blue from 1987-1989.

Ryan is also only three touchdowns behind Keys' career mark of 34.

Although Keys established those records in only three seasons, he and Ryan have had roughly the same number of rushing attempts in their careers.

Keys ran 609 times in the late 1980's, and Ryan enters Saturday's game with 578 carries.

Ryan has been hampered by injuries throughout his years at Penn, explaining the statistical similarities with Keys. But the current Penn back has stayed healthy this year.

"I just have to thank God for a full season because I haven't had one yet," said Ryan, smiling at the thought of playing in all nine games this year.

The Pittsburgh native also made sure to acknowledge those who have been so critical to his success as he chases Keys' marks.

"Without the line and the fullback, there are no holes," Ryan said. "And without holes, you're not going anywhere."

The College senior also mentioned how vital quarterback Gavin Hoffman, the wide receivers and everybody from the coaches to the trainers have been in getting him to the position in which he presently finds himself.

"I'm very thankful for the way that things have worked out," he said.

Ryan's teammates derive a great deal of pleasure in contributing to their tailback's remarkable run at history, but refuse to take very much credit for it.

"He can make a play no matter what we do," senior offensive tackle Randy Parker said. "If we miss a block, he can create a hole anyway."

Ryan's coaches have marvelled at their star pupil, and have even found themselves learning from him.

"He's taught me so many different things," Penn second-year running backs coach Steven Downs said. "Hopefully, it's been a two-way street."

Downs explained that he has not really had to teach Ryan anything, but rather serves largely as a supervisor who ensures that his star just keeps doing what has made him such a special back.

Even his one "flaw" is more like the kind of flaw you tell a prospective employer about in a job interview. Kris Ryan is guilty of trying too hard.

"His engine is always going 100 miles per hour, he's always high speed," Downs said. "I've just tried to get him to be more patient, and I feel that's helped him a lot."

All Penn coaches and players can appreciate what kind of pure physical talent Ryan brings to the team, but most agree that it is his demeanor and personality on and off the field that makes him so likable.

"He is one of the best kids, as a person, I've ever been around," Penn head coach Al Bagnoli said.

Bagnoli spoke for many in the Penn football community in expressing his wish to see Ryan achieve what he truly deserves to cap a terrific career -- breaking the rushing record.

"I'd love to see it," he said. "It would be nice for him because he's been such a warrior."

Much of Ryan's family and many friends will be in attendance on Saturday to see what Ryan hopes will be a day of two great accomplishments: another Ivy championship and a place in the Penn record books.

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