After losing 33 seniors and 11 All-Ivy players a year ago, the Quakers entered 2011 the preseason favorite, but an unprecedented third straight Ivy title eluded the Red and Blue. But players, many returning this year, gained valuable experience along the way.

Picked first in this year’s Ivy Preseason Media Poll, it’s Harvard that is now watching the Throne. And the Quakers? They’re perfectly fine with that. In fact, they’re better than fine.

Van Roten will attend the Packers training camp, which runs from Thursday, July 26, to Tuesday, August 28, and includes preseason games against the San Diego Chargers, the Cleveland Browns, the Cincinnati Bengals and the Kansas City Chiefs.

Three seniors have been invited to participate in NFL camps this past week.

But when it came down to voting for the captain of the 2012 squad, only one player stood out: defensive end Brandon Copeland.

Four Penn football seniors showed off their skills Wednesday afternoon at Penn’s NFL pro day at Franklin Field.

Of the 1,696 players currently on NFL rosters, only six played their college ball in the Ivy League. If Erik Rask has his way, that number will be at least seven next season.

Rask had a stellar season for the Quakers, recording a team-high 83 total tackles. He also led Penn in passes defended, with eight on the season.

After capturing two consecutive Ivy League titles, expectations for the 2011 Quakers were sky high. But as the twin pillars of Penn football — defense and rushing — deteriorated, so too did the team’s chances for a title.

In a shootout at Franklin Field Saturday, Cornell notched its first victory over Penn football since 2006, winning the season finale, 48-38.

Four years. Four losses. The 19 outgoing seniors on the Penn football team have won 23 Ivy League games and lost just four in their time wearing the Red and Blue. They will strive to win one more game in a Penn uniform when they take on Cornell this Saturday at Franklin Field.

In the first quarter, I saw two championship teams. In the second quarter — and third and fourth, as well — I only saw one.

The Harvard Crimson captured the Ivy League championship Saturday afternoon with a 37-20 rout of Penn. MEGAN SOISSON: Harvard deserves all the credit for championship effortTHE BUZZ: Guest blog from 2011 football alum Bradford BlackmonTHE BUZZ: Harvard: The Good, Bad and Ugly

It may be the penultimate game of the 2011 campaign, but this Saturday’s contest at Harvard is definitely the culmination of the Ivy League season for the Penn football team. LIVEBLOG: Penn football vs. Harvard

The Nawrocki brothers’ parents “discouraged” them from watching pro wrestling, Penn senior Luke recalls, but the boys always found ways around it. Soon enough, the whole family watched as Chris tried out for the WWE on the “Tough Enough” reality show.

The defense — the last piece of the puzzle — has fallen into place just in time. Harvard is on the horizon and a title lays in the balance.

In football, as in life, timing is everything. At no point was this more evident than in the first quarter of Penn’s 37-9 victory over Princeton Saturday at Franklin Field.