Al Bagnoli's 100th career win started in style.
Sophomore quarterback Robert Irvin completed his first 11 passes of his college football career, and the Quakers marched 80 yards in 12 plays to take a lead they never relinquished in a 21-11 win over Lafayette in Easton, Pa.
Running wild
That first touchdown was provided by senior running back Joe Sandberg, who plunged in from the 1-yard line to give Penn (1-0) an early 7-0 lead.
After off-season shoulder surgery, Sandberg rushed for 166 yards on 24 carries against the Leopards, scoring another touchdown late in the fourth quarter from 36 yards out.
For his efforts, Sandberg was named Ivy League co-offensive player of the week.
As for his shoulder, Sandberg said he only felt pain on one play, when he fumbled the ball on Penn's first possession. Fortunately for Sandberg and the Quakers, it was recovered by tight end Chris Mizell and the drive continued.
"Other than that, it felt good," Sandberg said.
However, the running back discounted the importance of his own stellar performance by saying that the team's first win in almost 11 months was more significant.
"I think it was more important for the team to get off to a good start," Sandberg said. "After those four losses that we ended the season with, that was more important."
Bagnoli said he was most pleased not with Sandberg's 166 yards but with the senior's 24 carries.
"We've got to do a good job of managing how many touches he has, where the touches are . because obviously he's a talented kid," Bagnoli said.
A little good competition
Irvin's great start to the game ended in a very successful debut for the rookie signal-caller.
He finished 17-of-27 for 182 yards and added a rushing touchdown. Bagnoli said that although he had originally planned to use both Irvin and junior Bryan Walker, the sophomore's hot start leaves him no choice but to play Irvin again.
"When the kid starts off that hot, you hate to take him out of the fray," Bagnoli said.
As for the man himself, Irvin mentioned that his offensive line, receivers and Sandberg's performance were big reasons for his success.
Because Irvin has not yet solidified his position, it means that he must continue improving, something he is eager to do.
"It's helped because in practice, you can't take a play off," he said. "You've got to keep playing; you've got to keep trying to make a great play," he said.
Penn Hokies?
The Quakers have not been known over the years as any sort of special teams juggernaut like Virginia Tech, but against Lafayette they made their mark with four punts by Anthony Mellilo inside the 20-yard line and two blocked field goal attempts, one by senior Scotty Williams, and the other by senior J.J. Stanton.
"A lot of special teams plays are basically effort plays," Bagnoli said.
Both Stanton and Williams agreed that it was simply a matter of working hard on their plays that allowed the blocks to take place.
"It's a huge morale boost for us," Stanton said.
"If I happen to be the guy who gets in there to block the kick, it's usually a factor of everybody else going hard," Williams added.
Penn may not be the Hokies yet, but after one week, the Quakers are on their way.
