When Penn visits Bucknell tomorrow, the game plan will be relatively simple: stop the Bison running game.
In their last meeting, the Quakers (2-1, 1-0 Ivy) did most of the running, as they cruised to a 53-7 victory over Bucknell.
But historically, the games have been close, and Bucknell (3-2, 0-1 Patriot) looks stronger this season and is coming off a blowout victory over Marist last weekend.
So far, the Bison have relied exclusively on their running game. In fact, they failed to complete a single pass (in four attempts) last week, while rushing for 390 yards and seven touchdowns.
Junior running back Josh DeStefano leads Bucknell's offense, rushing for 57.8 yards per contest.
"I have a lot of confidence in our front-seven guys for stopping the run and that's going to obviously be the main focus," senior captain Scotty Williams said. "Then at the secondary, we just need to eliminate the big plays and make sure we're aware of any trick plays that they may have coming our way."
Sophomore cornerback Tyson Maugle will certainly be a key component in the team's defense. His two interceptions were crucial to maintaining the Quakers' momentum in last week's contest and earned him Ivy League Defensive Player of the Week.
However, as a whole, Penn's young secondary has struggled this season - it has allowed the fourth-most passing yards per game (277.33) in Division I-AA.
Fortunately for the Quakers, the Bison may have no choice but to rely on their prolific running game, as their starting quarterback Andrew Lair is out with a broken collarbone, and injured backup Terrance Wilson is doubtful for tomorrow.
This leaves the job to freshman Marcello Trigg, who saw his first snap last Saturday against Marist.
"I think if you can get ahead of an option team [like Bucknell], that kind of puts them at a major disadvantage because throwing the ball is not their forte," Penn coach Al Bagnoli said. "They're running the ball, and usually the clock runs out on them, so you can put them in a situation they don't want to be in."
But the pressure will be on Penn's running game as well. After running wild against Lafayette, the Quakers' ground game has been the focal point of opposing defenses, which have considerably limited their rushing yards.
Penn running back junior Joe Sandberg - who is averaging 108 yards per game - was limited to just three yards per carry in last week's win over Dartmouth, forcing the Quakers to rely heavily on the arm of sophomore quarterback Robert Irvin.
"The reason our young quarterback is throwing effectively is because there's eight guys in the box all the time," Bagnoli said. "We're just coming off of blocks a little bit, not hitting the right guy at times, and those are all things that are correctable things."
Irvin is fully recovered from the ankle injury he sustained in the game against Villanova and will be Bagnoli's first option on Saturday.
However, Bagnoli said that he will not hesitate to play junior Bryan Walker if he needs a change in momentum in the game.
Irvin has responded reasonably well when pressure has dampened the Quakers' running game, averaging 165.3 passing yards per contest.
"We have to be able to throw the ball," Sandberg said "We have to be able to do things there, and if we beat them with the pass they're going to have to respect that."
But in order to be seal the win, Penn will have to reverse the trend of its last few games and focus on finishing plays and eliminating the missed opportunities that have plagued the team this season.
