Andrew DeLaney: Football should keep running its way to wins

The Penn football team showed many of the same attributes that carried it to an Ivy League championship a year ago in its opening 51-10 rout of Duquesne.

The Quakers forced key turnovers, had a solid passing game and pressured the opposing quarterback -- all of which they did last year with great success.

However, it was a new strength -- a commitment to an effective running game behind a stellar offensive line -- that was the most encouraging sign to come out of the lopsided victory.

Running back Sam Matthews, a sophomore transfer from Navy, ran the ball 19 times for 89 yards. While an impressive Penn debut, these are hardly earth-shattering numbers.

But consider that only twice in 10 games last season did a Quakers running back rush for more yards or get more carries in a game.

This running game did not begin only after the game became a rout. Penn took a 23-10 advantage into the halftime break. At this point, Matthews had 13 carries for 67 yards and a touchdown, and the Quakers backs had 16 total rushes. Quarterback Mike Mitchell had 19 passing attempts by the intermission.

Penn coach Al Bagnoli and offensive coordinator Andy Coen seemed determined to run at the smaller Duquesne front early and often. This was in sharp contrast to last season when the Quakers would usually open up the game throwing to establish a lead, then go to the run to kill the clock in the second half.

This commitment to a running game signified a change in offensive strategy.

This adjustment is necessary due to Penn's new personnel strengths. Last season, Mitchell was throwing to Rob Milanese, the best receiver in the program's history. Thus, passing the ball early and often was an effective tact.

This season, however, Milanese is gone and Penn has two new starters at receivers.

Penn's success on offense this year rests on the shoulders of its huge offensive line, which returns all five senior starters. The line averages 280 pounds, or nearly 40 pounds more per man than the Duquesne defensive front, and has four All-Ivy honorees from last season.

Penn exploited this mismatch effectively all game.

"They were making huge holes that anybody could run through," Matthews said.

While Daniel Castles and Joe Phillips are both talented receivers, they are both first-time starters. It will naturally take some time to get the passing game to where it was at the end of last season.

Fortunately, the offensive line and Matthews should give the Quakers that time -- should the coaches give it a similar chance every week.

The decision to run more, instead of pass, was not critical against Duquesne. The Dukes were simply not good enough to win on Franklin Field and the final score reflected that.

However, it was good practice.

Next week Penn has arguably its toughest game of the season against Lehigh in Bethlehem, Pa. Given that Lehigh and Penn play the same spread-style passing offense -- and thus can effectively defend each other -- the Quakers should throw a change-up.

They should continue the smash-mouth approach and run the ball at least as much as they pass, and ride the running game as far as it takes them.

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.