After Cornell ruined what might have been a perfect record last year, the Quakers approached Friday's game in looking for revenge, but with respect for their opponents.
And revenge they got, defeating the Big Red in Ithaca, N.Y., 13-6 in the season opener. They even did it a few bodies short.
"We proceeded cautiously," coach Bill Wagner said, "considering we had several key players who were not at a hundred percent [due to injuries] as well as a few starters who weren't even able to play."
First-team All-CSFL quarterback Mike Loguidice was one such injured player. The junior from Bethlehem, Pa., entered the game with a partially separated shoulder, necessitating the assistance of backup quarterback freshman Michael D'Angelo.
The usually-electrifying passing attack was completely stifled as the Quakers finished the game with zero passing yards and nine sacks. While the running game produced a commanding total of 122 yards, it was unable to produce any touchdowns.
Statistics this grim almost always spell certain disaster for any team at any level, but thanks to the efforts of the defense and the special teams, the Quakers proved they could be the exception.
"There defense and special teams did a tremendous job," Wagner said. "There is no question that they're the reason we won."
Early on in the game junior defensive back David Lopez helped to set the tone by intercepting a Cornell pass and returning it 75 yards for a touchdown. Lopez's interception was later followed by a pair of picks by sophomore Kale Roth and an interception by junior Nicholas Dinges to help ice the game.
"David's interception in the first quarter really served as the inspiration for the game." Wagner said
Lopez echoed this sentiment. "I knew that if I intercepted it it was going to be a touchdown since there was no one in front of me. I just wanted to do something to help get the team going because up to that point we hadn't really done anything," he said.
Senior kicker Peter Stine noted "our defense demonstrated that they have the potential to be the strongest defensive squad in the league."
The efforts of the defense Friday night were only matched by those of the special teams, which came through in the clutch. In fact, Stine may very well have saved the game for the Quakers on more than one occasion.
Stine not only converted on his only PAT but also scored the only offensive points of the night, kicking two field goals -- one of which was for a career long 46 yards. Moreover, with Loguidice seeing only limited action due to injury, Stine also stepped in as the punter.
"The special teams' success was due to extraordinary effort by the entire unit," Stine said "Great blocking, snaps, holds, and coverage made my job as a kicker and punter as easy as it could possibly be."
As the Quakers head in to a bye week looking to recuperate from injuries and return the offense to top form, they can take pride in what they have already accomplished this season.
"The game was a great win for us," Stine said "It [was] vital that we send the message early on that Penn is a true contender for this year's CSFL title, and we did just that."
The Quakers open up their home schedule this Friday night at Franklin Field against Princeton, a team that Penn blew out 61-28 last year.
PENN 7 0 3 3 -- 13Cornell 0 0 6 0 -- 6
First Quarter
P Dÿ0:13 Lopez 74-yd. interception return (Stine kick)
Second Quarter None
Third Quarter P Dÿ9:52 Stine 46-yd. field goal
C Dÿ1:07 Fullowan 25-yd. pass from Macaulay (Gutzler kick blocked)
Fourth Quarter P Dÿ4:19 Stine 21-yd. field goal
PENN COR
First downs 10 9
Rushes-yards. (net) 55-122 27-89
Passing yards 0 89
Passes Att-Comp-Int 6-0-0 30-7-4
Total off. plays-yards 61-122 57-178
Fumble Returns-Yards 0-0 0-0
Punt Returns-Yards 6-32 8-59
Kickoff Returns-Yards 1-28 3-58
Int Returns-Yards 4-96 0-0
Punts (Number-Avg) 10-31.1 8-37.2
Fumbles-Lost 1-1 0-0
Penalties-Yards 6-36 8-97
Possession Time 34:36 25:24
3rd-Down Conversions 1 of 16 4 of 15
4th-Down Conversions 0 of 0 1 of 2
Red-Zone Scores-Chances 1-2 0-1
Sacks By: Number-Yds. 0-0 9-96
