Since the end of last season and the graduation of senior running back Stephen Faulk, questions have been swirling as to who will join Penn quarterback Mike Mitchell in the backfield as this year's starting running back.
At the end of last season, it seemed rather apparent that the battle for the starting position would come down to senior Jake Perskie and junior Mike Recchiuti. Both players were solid contributors off the bench in 2002, but neither one was chosen as the heir apparent.
Instead, the job was awarded to a sophomore transfer from the U.S. Naval Academy -- Sam Matthews.
As a freshman with the Midshipmen, Matthews saw limited time. He amassed 80 yards on only 12 carries and had two catches for 35 yards.
There were, however, signs that Matthews could be a big contributor if given the chance. In a game against Boston College last year, he compiled 55 yards on just seven carries.
Apart from his strong performance against BC, Penn head coach Al Bagnoli knew of Matthews' abilities from his days at Pittsburgh's Mount Lebanon High School, when he originally became a prized recruit of the Quakers.
Penn football's "relationship [with Matthews] goes back to his senior year in high school," Bagnoli said. "He was really highly rated on our recruiting board. We thought that he was going to be a talented kid."
In his first action as Penn's running back, Matthews showed off plenty of the talent that had made him such a prized recruit.
Playing only three quarters Saturday against Duquesne, Matthews totaled 118 yards of total offense. Matthews gained 89 yards on 19 carries and contributed 29 yards receiving. His four receptions matched Joe Phillips for the team lead.
In addition to his overall impressive numbers, he helped set the tone for the game, scoring two touchdowns in the opening seven minutes of play.
Despite already putting together a solid performance in the season opener, Matthews and Penn fans should both expect to see him even more as the season progresses.
Having only had a month to work in Penn's offensive system, Matthews doesn't have a full grasp of the playbook and all of his assignments just yet.
"Jake Perskie has helped me out a ton -- anytime I have a problem or a question, I can go straight to Jake, and he helps me out," Matthews said. "It helped going through camp with all the guys."
After seeing Matthews during training camp and one game, Bagnoli has seen him struggle the most with his blocking assignments on passing downs.
"Navy's running the option attack and that's a whole different system," Bagnoli said. "We have a lot of different formations and a lot of different protections and I think that's been the hardest part for him."
Once Matthews becomes fully accustomed to Penn's offensive scheme and more comfortable running behind the experienced Penn offensive line, he will have even more chances -- and carries -- to display the talent that earned him the starting job this summer.
"He's a bright kid, a good football kid," Bagnoli said. "He's going to do just fine."
