When asked about the status of the Ivy League prior to the beginning of the season, Penn coach Al Bagnoli stated that Dartmouth "is one of the most improved football teams that we'll face."
But just how much better is the team that Penn crushed, 35-0, last year?
The Quakers (1-1) will find out for themselves when they travel to Hanover, N.H., to take on the Big Green (1-1) in their Ivy League opener.
"They are playing with a lot more motivation, energy, thinking that they can win," Bagnoli said of Dartmouth, "and I think that's half the battle."
The Big Green might be drawing its inspiration from how well it played during the second half of last season, long after its shutout loss to the Quakers.
In its last five games of 2004, the Big Green allowed only four touchdowns on just 300 yards of total offense from its opponents.
Seven starters return from that defense, including senior co-captain Anthony Gargiulo, an anchor at the defensive end position.
This year, that defense continued its strong performance in Dartmouth's season opener against Colgate, a team that lost the I-AA championship game two years ago. The Big Green forced four turnovers en route to a 26-21 victory.
Even though the Big Green fell at then-No. 2 New Hampshire last week, it is still riding the momentum from its first 1-0 start since 1997.
"For the first time in a long time, they are 1-1 coming into our game -- historically they've been 0-2," Bagnoli said. "They've also had a tough schedule against Colgate and New Hampshire."
Bagnoli added that he thinks the win over Colgate "gave them some confidence, and they're playing with a renewed sense of purpose right now."
Dartmouth coach Buddy Teevens, making his return to his alma mater after three years as head coach at Stanford, acknowledged that his team still has a lot of work to do to play on the Quakers' level.
"We know the challenges an outstanding program brings to a game," Teevens said. "Penn is an example of what it can be."
History will not be on Dartmouth's side. The Big Green has opened every Ivy League season since 1990 against Penn, and is 4-11 in that span. The Big Green last beat the Quakers in 1997.
But Teevens knows that his team has the capacity to play well, as evidenced by its victory over Colgate.
The Colgate win "substantiates the things we have talked to our players about," Teevens said. "The execution of what we ask our players to do is critical."
While the Big Green returned most of its starters on defense, it returned only two on offense -- and one of them is already injured.
Sophomore running back Chad Gaudet, who led the Big Green with 389 yards in only six games last year, suffered a knee injury in his first play of the season against Colgate. He did not play against New Hampshire, and it is questionable whether he will return at all this season.
Teevens will look toward seniors Ikechi Ogbonna and Jason Bash to lead the rushing attack for the Big Green. Along with veteran quarterback Charlie Rittgers, the Dartmouth offense will look to put points on the board early, something it has failed to do in Ivy League games over the last several years.
But with an inexperienced offensive line and wide receiver corps, the Big Green will still be relying on its defense to compete against Penn.
"Our challenge is to move forward, and win against a very good team," Teevens said.
The Dartmouth defense will be forced to contend with Penn running back Sam Mathews, who practiced earlier this week and is expected back in the lineup after missing last Saturday's game against Villanova with a bruised shoulder.
Bagnoli thinks the game will come down to which offensive line gives the greatest protection.
"It's very critical that our offensive line gives us a chance to run the ball, which sets up the passing game," Bagnoli said. "But Dartmouth's kids are really big, really physical too. It should be a good contest."
