For the first time since 2003, the defending champion Penn Quakersfind themselves the hunted, rather than the hunters, in the Ivy Leaguethis season. They’re also a win away from the prestigious 800 mark inschool history, with longtime coach Al Bagnoli three wins from passingGeorge Woodruff as the school’s all-time winningest coach. But none of that is weighing on anyone’s mind as the Quakers prepare for their Sept. 18 opener versus Lafayette. “I’m worried about our next practice,’’ said Bagnoli, whose 8-2club won its final eight games last year. “When you’re in thepreseason, you’re oblivious to everything.’’ Well, maybe not everything. His players know that Harvard was picked as the preseason Ivy favorite. “The Harvard thing is some good motivation as the time comes,”said Bagnoli. “When you’re defending champions with 15 starters backand still picked second it’s a bit of a slight. We’ll use it.” There are some worries, too. Bagnoli isn’t sure if startingquarterback Keiffer Garton, who missed five games last year with elbowand knee problems, will be ready to go right away. But most of Penn’smotivation will center on defensive lineman Owen Thomas, who committedsuicide April 26. The players insisted Thomas’ jersey be included inthe team captain’s photo and will wear a special decal in his memorywhile keeping his locker vacant. “It was real tough at first,” said Garton of Thomas, who led theteam in sacks, “but I think it’s brought us closer to together. We allmiss him and want to do this for him.” What better way than surprising the experts and winning the Ivies again. “We’ve come back at a different confidence level,’’ saidall-League center Joe D’Orazio, one of five offensive line startersback. “Before we had to prove ourselves. This year, we have to try to maintain that because everyone is coming after us.”
