Penn football’s season is set to lift off this weekend in Jacksonville, and while all the attention will be on whether new starting quarterback Alek Torgerson can lead a bounce-back campaign for the Quakers, the tireless efforts of the program’s operational staff to make the trip a possibility will go more or less unrecognized.

After a subpar defensive performance in 2013, the Quakers will look to their remarkably experienced and accomplished defensive back seven to spark a run towards an Ivy title in coach Al Bagnoli’s final season.

The countdown is coming to an end: Penn football is nearing a field near you? or your Florida relative. There is just a week and a half until the Red and Blue head to the Sunshine State to take on Jacksonville, a Pioneer League squad.

Though the season opener against Jacksonville is weeks away, there’s plenty going on in the world of Penn football.

Most long-standing sports institutions are resistant to change. Whether it is Major League Baseball refusing to address time of game issues or the NCAA resisting even the most painfully logical changes to its outdated system, change is continually feared by the sports establishment.

Special teams remains wide open, a group that is often the least heralded part of thechanged from “a” program yet still holds significance for the Red and Blue.

Quakers reveal new jerseys, tribute to LB Grosso

Junior kicker Jimmy Gammill took some time to answer a few questions on his favorite celebrations, Johnny Manziel and Superman.

It’s a new year for Penn Athletics and with a new year comes new predictions.

Outside of an inexperienced O-line, the strength returning all around new QB Alek Torgersen, from the coaching staff on down, puts Penn football in a solid place to succeed.

For the Penn football program, 2014 is set to be a season of firsts and one, all-important last.

Whenever  someone asks him a question about himself  at a press conference or after a practice, Bagnoli immediately deflects the question, preferring to speak about his student-athletes and his fellow coaches

As the anniversary of Owen Thomas' death nears, Penn athletes remember concussion histories while Penn and others take steps to fix the important problem

The message is clear: Ray Priore is the right man, in the right place, at the right time, to succeed the greatest coach in Quaker history in the retiring Al Bagnoli.

Outgoing-Athletic Director Steve Bilsky announced that the long-time Penn head coach would retire after the 2014 season at a press conference. Bilsky also officially revealed defensive coordinator and associate head coach Ray Priore as Bagnoli’s successor.

The Daily Pennsylvanian confirmed that Bagnoli will retire after his 23rd season coaching the Red and Blue. According to the Philadephia Inquirer’s Mike Jensen, defensive coordinator Ray Priore will succeed Bagnoli as Penn’s head coach.

Penn football announced its four captains, all seniors, for next season as wide receiver Conner Scott, tight end Mitchell King, linebacker Dan Davis and safety Evan Jackson received the honor.