Football fights for Ivy life

"We've done some things right," Captain Tim Penna, BK '02, said, referring to the Bulldogs' 36-27 win over Fordham and their 3-1 (1-1 Ivy) record, "but I don't think we have a played a full game when everything has gone right on offense, defense, and special teams."

Indeed, in each game this season, a different dimension of Yale's arsenal has picked up the slack. In a comeback win against Holy Cross, it was the special teams, as a field goal by Justin Davis, PC '01, won it in the final minutes. The offense led the way against Dartmouth, as Peter Lee's, TD '02, fourth-quarter drives almost made up for lackluster defense. And last week, Jason Lange's, JE '03, 60-yard interception return capped a strong defensive performance against Fordham.

This week especially, all components of the Yale attack must come to play as the Elis battle Penn (4-0, 2-0 Ivy), the reigning Ivy League champion. Even this early in the season, Yale faces a must-win game, as it cannot afford to fall two games back in the Ivy race. A win will be doubly tough, as Yale travels to Franklin Field, where Penn has not lost in two years.

Penn returns 20 starters from last season's championship team, and the Quakers have shown every sign that they can repeat. "Penn is the most balanced team we've faced," safety Barton Simmons, MC '04, said. "On offense, they have Gavin Hoffman ['02], but they also have Chris Ryan ['02], who was injured last year but is one of the best backs in the league." Hoffman, at a linebacker-like 6'6", 245 lbs., was the Ivy Player of the Year in 2000 and has completed 64 percent of passes this season. Ryan, a two-time all Ivy running back, thrives by using his big frame to bowl over opponents and needs only 102 yards to reach 2,000 for his career.

"We must get a lot of people to the ball to tackle him and we must try to flatten his running path. When he's running downhill, he is a load to tackle," Yale Head Coach Jack Siedlecki said of Ryan.

Against the efficient Penn attack, the Yale defense must be at the top of its game. "We need to tackle better and we especially need to pressure the quarterback more," Penna explained. "We had no sacks against Fordham, but we need to make it happen against Penn."

On offense, Yale is looking to its speed and renewed health. "They're fast," Keith Reams, MC '02, said of Penn's cornerbacks. "But they haven't faced a team as fast as us." The Bulldogs will also benefit from the return of quarterback Peter Lee and running back Pat Bydume, MC '04, who both suffered early season injuries. "I would like to use more than one back, but because of injuries we have not been able to do it," Siedlecki said. "With everyone healthy, we will be able to keep fresh legs in the game all the time."

Backup quarterback TJ Hyland, TC '02, filled in against Fordham and completed 20 of 28 passes. Nonetheless, Lee's experience as a starter and as a leader should benefit the team as it prepares to face a better team in Penn.

Yale gave Penn its only league loss last year and knows how much its Ivy destiny rests on beating the Quakers again this year. "To be the best you have to beat the best," Simmons said. "I have been looking forward to it since the last whistle blew last Saturday."

Dave Goldenberg contributed to this article.

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