The quarterback is the heart and soul of any football team. So naturally when Mike Mitchell, a star quarterback on an undefeated team, graduates, people get nervous about his replacement.
Pat McDermott is the replacement. With only 36 passes to his name, the junior is taking the helm of the Red and Blue offense that wreaked so much havoc last year.
The question is: Can that run of dominance continue or will the change at quarterback disrupt the mighty Quakers offense?
But before one can discuss how the quarterback change affects the offense, one first must realize that McDermott, no matter how he performs, will have the pieces around him to succeed.
Penn returns a star receiver in senior Dan Castles and a 1,000-yard back in junior Sam Mathews. The offensive line, although significantly different from last year, should at least be adequate.
"We've got good receivers, a talented quarterback and an offense line that can protect," Penn coach Al Bagnoli said.
The machine is in place. All McDermott has to do is push the buttons.
"We're gonna be balanced this year," Bagnoli said, carefully avoiding the notion that Penn would be more run-happy minus its departed quarterback.
Bagnoli is quick to point out that the Quakers "have a lot of confidence in Pat."
"We're comforted by the fact he's been in the fray, he has some snaps, has some throws, and he's been somewhat successful."
McDermott appeared in six games last season.
Most notably, he took over for an injured Mitchell at the end of the first half of the Quakers' Oct. 4 game at Dartmouth and performed well in the cold and rain-filled second half, helping Penn to a 33-20 victory on the road.
He also started a tight victory against Bucknell the next week, finishing 11-for-22 for 136 passing yards with 38 rushing yards.
"You'd ideally want your quarterback to have more throws than what he has," Bagnoli admitted, adding that "at least he's been in some."
But what McDermott may lack in experience, he should make up for in athleticism and mental preparedness.
"He has all the athletic skill," Bagnoli said. "He has all the tools to be a very good quarterback in this league. He just lacks having 200 throws, as opposed to 30 throws"
Bagnoli also points to McDermott's upbringing in Yonkers, N.Y., as part of a large family.
"He's a terrific kid, very humble, one of 13 in his family, unassuming, hardworking and competitive," Bagnoli said.
"He's got a good demeanor. The kids like him."
McDermott certainly has every opportunity to be a good quarterback for the Quakers this year.
But there is no way to know which player will succeed and which will fail when you're talking about a quarterback with so little experience. The answers can only be found after the games have begun.
