Mano-a-Mano: Is Penn football ready?

After Penn fought its way to a 21-7 victory over Columbia, the Quakers are preparing to return home to face Yale. While the Red and Blue dominated the Lions defensively on Saturday, there are some concerns about how the team will do the rest of the way in Ivy play. So are the Quakers ready for the rest of their Ancient Eight slate?

Sports Editor Steven Tydings: In many ways, the Red and Blue are right where they should be through five games. They have won both of their Ivy games and even won a nonconference matchup, something last year’s Ivy champs were unable to do.

However, while the Quakers beat Columbia 21-7, their first double digit victory in 17 games, it was clear that Penn lacked something against the Lions. The team lacked a killer instinct, not putting away Columbia early like Princeton was able to two weeks prior. It is often said that the hallmark of a great team is the ability to blow out inferior opponents, yet Penn was simply unable to do so.

Sports Editor John Phillips: The hallmark of a good team is to be able to blow out inferior opponents. The hallmark of a great team is to win the big game. I don’t know if Penn is a great team yet, but I think reading into games against poor competition like Columbia or strong competition like Villanova is the wrong way to go about it. Rather, think about what the Quakers did when their backs were up against the wall versus Dartmouth. David Park stepped up with a huge blocked kick and the Red and Blue pulled it out in spectacular fashion.

ST: There is no doubting Penn in big moments anymore, especially after the Dartmouth game or Billy Ragone and Andrew Holland’s last-minute victories last season.

But Penn’s upcoming opponents may not let the Quakers get into those tense final moments. When looking ahead to the Red and Blue’s November tilts with Princeton and Harvard, Penn will need to be sharp from the start if the squad wants a chanceremoved “with” to win with the ball in its hands at the end of the game.

And with the Quakers’ injury list looming large, whether it’s Conner Scott’s recent absence at wide receiver or Brandon Colavita’s ongoing knee issues, Penn will need to make up for a pretty big presenceinstead of “some...presences” on the offensive side of the ball. If anyone on the defense starts to miss time as well, the Quakers will be behind the eight ball when Princeton and Harvard come knocking in a few weeks.

JP: I remember that the game against Princeton on the road last year was one that the Quakers very easily could have lost, but the defense, which we have seen come through in big spots, did so again that day to seal a victory. So much is often made about the Quakers’ offense, but it’s really the strength of the defense that makes coach Al Bagnoli’s teams great. I trust them heading into Princeton and Harvard.

I agree that the offense isn’t the one that Bagnoli envisioned at the start of the season, but Scott’s absence hasn’t been hugely felt, as the other wideouts have really stepped in to fill the void. I think you’re right that if the defense takes a blow — say Dan Davis gets injured — then the Quakers could be in trouble, but right now, I think they’ll be just fine.

VERDICT: Calm yourself, Steven. The Quakers and their dominant defense should be just fine heading into the second half of the season. John wins.