For a Penn squad that struggled to find its groove week after week, the defensive unit was a rare bastion of consistency.
The Quakers were third in the Ivy League in points allowed (19.3) and second in rushing yards against (100) per game.
But while they return a strong secondary - led by All-Ivy corners Chris Wynn and Tyson Maugle, along with free safety Jordan Manning - the Red and Blue are green up front.
Then there are the usual special teams shenanigans. Kicker Andrew Samson found more success than the maligned Derek Zoch, who as a senior was called upon only for a ceremonial PAT.
Samson, a freshman, still struggled more often than not, nailing seven of 15 tries (46.7 tries).
So here are five defense and special teams questions for 2008.
1. Can the vaunted secondary live up to the hype?
On paper, at least, Penn's defensive backfield is its greatest strength.
Wynn and Maugle reprise their roles as shutdown corners for coach Al Bagnoli; Manning enters his third season as starting strong safety; and senior Tony Moses replaces departed grad Pat Kimener at free safety after appearing in eight games in '07.
Expectations are lofty for this veteran group, and with inexperience elsewhere, the Quakers can't avoid a letdown.
2. How much will Penn miss Joe Anastasio?
The three-season starter at linebacker was an unambiguous anchor of Penn's front seven last season, leading the Quakers with 71 tackles.
While senior Jay Colabella returns to assume on-field coaching duties, the play of junior Jake Lewko may be more significant.
Despite seeing limited snaps, Lewko showed a flair for the big play last season, tallying 5.5 tackles behind scrimmage and forcing a fumble.
After tying for sixth among Ivy teams in fumbles forced last season, a full-time gig for Lewko could provide a much-needed spark.
3. Was last season's stellar rush defense trend or fluke?
Penn was able to crowd the line and plugged the holes admirably in '07, surrendering just 2.8 yards per carry, good for second in the Ivy League.
Against its toughest opponent the Quakers bent but didn't break, holding Yale's Mike McLeod to 50 yards on 26 carries after the first quarter in a three-overtime Penn loss.
This season, though, with Anastasio gone and only two returning starters in the front seven, the unit might struggle to find its footing in the early going.
4. Will Samson become better suited to getting it through the uprights, and good?
After being forced to use both his star wideout and a sprint football callup as kicking options in 2006, Bagnoli created an open competition -- in which everyone but Zoch was considered - in last year's training camp.
Samson won the battle, but he fared no better than the assortment of options that preceded him.
Now, Samson enters this season with a firm grip on a job. But will that security and an extra year help produce better results?
Bagnoli had praised his strong leg before last season, but he had three kicks blocked and hit just 50 percent of short- and medium-range attempts.
5. How much fun will Bagnoli have with Kyle Olson?
The possibilities are endless: The way the roster's shaping up, one of Penn's quarterbacks - the starter, perhaps, but either way a bona fide passing threat - will also be its starting punter.
Olson, a junior transfer who performed both duties at Fullerton, is tantalizing Bagnoli and his penchant for trick plays.
Fourth and long? Olson can air it out. Shorter distance to the first-down marker? The Quakers can line up in shotgun formation, then try a pooch kick.
Of course, as Bagnoli showed with last year's intentional safety, creativity can backfire - but it will certainly be entertaining.
