Brown, Columbia: Doormats No More

The last two Ivy League seasons can be summed up in one word: Penn. The Quakers have mowed down everyone in their path en route to consecutive Ivy League titles and the respect of the college football cognoscenti--and not just the ones in Division I-AA.

A few teams appear to be emerging in the league that has looked like Penn and everyone else since 1993. Brown and Columbia, doormats not long ago, have picked themselves off the ground and are now knocking on the Quakers' door. Throw in defensive-minded Princeton, and the Ivy League has the makings of a battle roysle.

Don't count the Crimson out, either. If Vin Ferrara stays healthy, the offensive and defensive lines jell (and not Jello) quickly, and Tim Murphy's young team really has as much fire (read: defensive intensity) as he claims, Harvard could be right in the hunt against Brown and Penn in the two games before Harvard-Yale.

I. Penn

Penn looks more vulnerable than it has in the last two years, but that's still not very vulnerable. The Quakers lost seven of eight first-team All-Ivy players, with wide receiver Miles Macik the only first-teamer returning. Stand-out linebacker Pat Goodwillie, the Ivy League Most Valuable Player in 1994, is a graduation causality.

However, Penn's ECAC-record 21-consecutive game winning-streak should not be taken lightly. Mark DeRosa is back at quarterback for the Quakers. He led Penn to and 25.7 points and 387.8 yards per game in 1994.

Defense is the Quakers' big question mark for the 1995 season. Last season, Penn led Division I-AA in total defense, surrendering a paltry 218.9 yards per game and allowing only 7.6 points per game. The Quakers also tacked up two shutouts: 33-0 and 24-0 against Harvard and Brown, respectively.

Only four starters return from that highlight-making defensive unit Experienced seniors filled four linemen's positions and the entire corps last season. And now they're gone. Last year's secondary is still intact and should help teach the younger players Penn's "50" defense.

Defensive concerns notwithstanding, coach Al Bagnoli's squad has compiled back-to-back 9-0 seasons. Another one may be just around the corner.

2. Brown

If anyone can challenge Penn's two-year dominance of the Ivy League, it's Brown. No longer an Ivy League also-ran, coach Mark Whipple has needed just one season to turn the Bears into a legitimate contender.

Whipple's more wide-open style finally clicked with the Bears in the final four contests of the season. Brown won all four of those games, including a 59-24 season-ending exclamation point over Columbia. Other than excusable (albeit home) losses to Penn and Princeton, the Bears (7-3, 4-3 Ivy) can point only to the season opening loss to Yale as the game that "shoulds been."

Junior quarterback Jason McCullough was at the helm for all seven of Brown's wins last season. In nine starts and 10 games, McCullough completed 126 passes for 1724 yards. Junior running back Marquis Jessie, a two-time All-Ivy selection, and three of five linemen also return to the offense.

Brown returns seven starters on defense, although the loss of All-Ivy safety Eugene Smith (a team-leading 104 tackles) hurts. Defense has been the Achilles' heel of Brown teams of recent memory (last season's version allowed 19.7 points per game), but linemen Tony Quarnaccio (seven sacks) and Brendan Pinneran should provide needed improvement.

3. Columbia

Colmbia put many naysayers in their rightful place last season, breaking out of 23-consecutive losing to compile a 5-4-1 record (9-4 Ivy) in 1994, Harvard encaped Morningside Heights with a 39-32 from-behind win last season, but the Crimson's 16-year winning streak may be in jeopardy in 1995.

Although quarterback Jamie Schwalbe (2199 yards, 10 touch-downs) is gone, the team's 10 other offensive starters return to the league leader in scoring and passing yardage. Senior Mike Cavanaugh is looking to fill Schwalbe's shoes.

The veteran defensive unit returns nine starters, including first-team All-Ivy linebacker Rory Wilfork and 27-year-old defensive tackle Eric Keck, Wilfork led the team in tackles (127), tackles for a loss (16) and forced fumbles (3). The Lill brothers, linebacker lake and strong safety Jim, combined for 130 tackles last season.

4. Princeton

Princton's offense looks weak on paper, but experience suggests that there is more than meets the eye to this squad. An unyielding defense has been Princeton's trade-mark under coach Steve and seven returning defensive starters suggest that the Tigers men be first in passing and rushing yards allowed per game again this season.

Ends Ryan Moore, Dale Bartley and Darrell Oliveirs as well as tackle Brian Groody are a solid base to build a defense on. Linebacker Dave Patterson was an All-Ivy first-teamer and defensive back Tom Dudwig had seven interceptions--three against Harvard--last season.

Point generation could be the Tigers biggest problem. Princeton lost tailback Bill Jordan and wide receivers Dave Scoggin and Mare Ross, though the Tigers hang on to quarterback Harry Nakielny. Three of five offensive linemen--six offensive starters in total--have departed as well.

The bottom line is quite simple: Princeton will be able to keep opponents off the scoreboard, but will the Tigers be able to get on the board themselves?

5. Harvard

6. Cornell

Almost the diametric opposite of Brown, Cornell looks like a team on the descent. The Big Red started the 1994 campaign out on a very high note, with victories in six consecutive weeks. And then the wheels fell off the wagon. Cornell crashed to earth with a thud: four straight losses to end the season.

Cornell's primary asset is Chad Levitt, the Ivy League leader in rushing last season. The problem is Levitt is the only guaranteed merchandise the Big Red has. Quarter-back Steve Joyce started two games last year but is inexperienced. Two returning linemen will not be enough to blow open holes for Levitt.

Five starters return on defense, including cornerbacks Nick Bombach and Doug Knopp. The secondary may be in on a lot of action because all but one (John Vitullo) of Cornell's seasoned linebackers are gone.

Coach Jim Hofher says that the competition will be fierce on the defensive side. The implication is that there are many spots to fill.

7. Dartmouth

Training camp may be breeding more questions than answers for the Big Green of Dartmouth. Junior Jon Aljancic, senior Ren Riley and senior Jerry Singleton are at war for the quarterback spot. Pete Oberle, who sat out four games of 1994 with knee injury, may or may not be able to go this season.

Dartmouth counts seven offensive starters returning from a 2-5 Ivy League team. Only five defensive starters are back.

Dartmouth hasn't been the same since super quarterback Jay Fielder left in 1993. Until the Big Green can find a player who makes the sleepy town of Hanover, N.H. forget about "The Man," Dartmouth's gridiron game just won't be the same.

8. Yale

Yale doesn't just come last alphabetically in the Ivy League. Despite last season's 32-13 thumping of Harvard at the Stadium the Bull-dogs won't have much to bark about this season.

The Elis have lost their offensive and defensive anchors in Bob Nelson and Card Ricci, although the Bulldogs return seven starters on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Chris Hetherington is behind center once again, but the senior threw more than twice as many interceptions as touchdown passes in 1994.

Last season, the Eli defense allowed a surprisingly stingy 15 points per game in Ivy League contests. However, Yale was second-to-last in total defense, allowing 360.9 yards per game. With Ricci gone, an anemic defense could be in the offing.

Although legendary Carm Cozza is back for his 31st year, don't be surprised if the buzz at The Game is that the coach Cozza's head may be on the chopping block; some of the Eli faithful feel he's out of touch.Crimson File PhotoHarvard's defensive line will have its hands full with Penn, Brown and Columbia this year.

Only four starters return from that highlight-making defensive unit Experienced seniors filled four linemen's positions and the entire corps last season. And now they're gone. Last year's secondary is still intact and should help teach the younger players Penn's "50" defense.

Defensive concerns notwithstanding, coach Al Bagnoli's squad has compiled back-to-back 9-0 seasons. Another one may be just around the corner.

2. Brown

If anyone can challenge Penn's two-year dominance of the Ivy League, it's Brown. No longer an Ivy League also-ran, coach Mark Whipple has needed just one season to turn the Bears into a legitimate contender.

Whipple's more wide-open style finally clicked with the Bears in the final four contests of the season. Brown won all four of those games, including a 59-24 season-ending exclamation point over Columbia. Other than excusable (albeit home) losses to Penn and Princeton, the Bears (7-3, 4-3 Ivy) can point only to the season opening loss to Yale as the game that "shoulds been."

Junior quarterback Jason McCullough was at the helm for all seven of Brown's wins last season. In nine starts and 10 games, McCullough completed 126 passes for 1724 yards. Junior running back Marquis Jessie, a two-time All-Ivy selection, and three of five linemen also return to the offense.

Brown returns seven starters on defense, although the loss of All-Ivy safety Eugene Smith (a team-leading 104 tackles) hurts. Defense has been the Achilles' heel of Brown teams of recent memory (last season's version allowed 19.7 points per game), but linemen Tony Quarnaccio (seven sacks) and Brendan Pinneran should provide needed improvement.

3. Columbia

Colmbia put many naysayers in their rightful place last season, breaking out of 23-consecutive losing to compile a 5-4-1 record (9-4 Ivy) in 1994, Harvard encaped Morningside Heights with a 39-32 from-behind win last season, but the Crimson's 16-year winning streak may be in jeopardy in 1995.

Although quarterback Jamie Schwalbe (2199 yards, 10 touch-downs) is gone, the team's 10 other offensive starters return to the league leader in scoring and passing yardage. Senior Mike Cavanaugh is looking to fill Schwalbe's shoes.

The veteran defensive unit returns nine starters, including first-team All-Ivy linebacker Rory Wilfork and 27-year-old defensive tackle Eric Keck, Wilfork led the team in tackles (127), tackles for a loss (16) and forced fumbles (3). The Lill brothers, linebacker lake and strong safety Jim, combined for 130 tackles last season.

4. Princeton

Princton's offense looks weak on paper, but experience suggests that there is more than meets the eye to this squad. An unyielding defense has been Princeton's trade-mark under coach Steve and seven returning defensive starters suggest that the Tigers men be first in passing and rushing yards allowed per game again this season.

Ends Ryan Moore, Dale Bartley and Darrell Oliveirs as well as tackle Brian Groody are a solid base to build a defense on. Linebacker Dave Patterson was an All-Ivy first-teamer and defensive back Tom Dudwig had seven interceptions--three against Harvard--last season.

Point generation could be the Tigers biggest problem. Princeton lost tailback Bill Jordan and wide receivers Dave Scoggin and Mare Ross, though the Tigers hang on to quarterback Harry Nakielny. Three of five offensive linemen--six offensive starters in total--have departed as well.

The bottom line is quite simple: Princeton will be able to keep opponents off the scoreboard, but will the Tigers be able to get on the board themselves?

5. Harvard

6. Cornell

Almost the diametric opposite of Brown, Cornell looks like a team on the descent. The Big Red started the 1994 campaign out on a very high note, with victories in six consecutive weeks. And then the wheels fell off the wagon. Cornell crashed to earth with a thud: four straight losses to end the season.

Cornell's primary asset is Chad Levitt, the Ivy League leader in rushing last season. The problem is Levitt is the only guaranteed merchandise the Big Red has. Quarter-back Steve Joyce started two games last year but is inexperienced. Two returning linemen will not be enough to blow open holes for Levitt.

Five starters return on defense, including cornerbacks Nick Bombach and Doug Knopp. The secondary may be in on a lot of action because all but one (John Vitullo) of Cornell's seasoned linebackers are gone.

Coach Jim Hofher says that the competition will be fierce on the defensive side. The implication is that there are many spots to fill.

7. Dartmouth

Training camp may be breeding more questions than answers for the Big Green of Dartmouth. Junior Jon Aljancic, senior Ren Riley and senior Jerry Singleton are at war for the quarterback spot. Pete Oberle, who sat out four games of 1994 with knee injury, may or may not be able to go this season.

Dartmouth counts seven offensive starters returning from a 2-5 Ivy League team. Only five defensive starters are back.

Dartmouth hasn't been the same since super quarterback Jay Fielder left in 1993. Until the Big Green can find a player who makes the sleepy town of Hanover, N.H. forget about "The Man," Dartmouth's gridiron game just won't be the same.

8. Yale

Yale doesn't just come last alphabetically in the Ivy League. Despite last season's 32-13 thumping of Harvard at the Stadium the Bull-dogs won't have much to bark about this season.

The Elis have lost their offensive and defensive anchors in Bob Nelson and Card Ricci, although the Bulldogs return seven starters on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Chris Hetherington is behind center once again, but the senior threw more than twice as many interceptions as touchdown passes in 1994.

Last season, the Eli defense allowed a surprisingly stingy 15 points per game in Ivy League contests. However, Yale was second-to-last in total defense, allowing 360.9 yards per game. With Ricci gone, an anemic defense could be in the offing.

Although legendary Carm Cozza is back for his 31st year, don't be surprised if the buzz at The Game is that the coach Cozza's head may be on the chopping block; some of the Eli faithful feel he's out of touch.Crimson File PhotoHarvard's defensive line will have its hands full with Penn, Brown and Columbia this year.

Defensive concerns notwithstanding, coach Al Bagnoli's squad has compiled back-to-back 9-0 seasons. Another one may be just around the corner.

2. Brown

If anyone can challenge Penn's two-year dominance of the Ivy League, it's Brown. No longer an Ivy League also-ran, coach Mark Whipple has needed just one season to turn the Bears into a legitimate contender.

Whipple's more wide-open style finally clicked with the Bears in the final four contests of the season. Brown won all four of those games, including a 59-24 season-ending exclamation point over Columbia. Other than excusable (albeit home) losses to Penn and Princeton, the Bears (7-3, 4-3 Ivy) can point only to the season opening loss to Yale as the game that "shoulds been."

Junior quarterback Jason McCullough was at the helm for all seven of Brown's wins last season. In nine starts and 10 games, McCullough completed 126 passes for 1724 yards. Junior running back Marquis Jessie, a two-time All-Ivy selection, and three of five linemen also return to the offense.

Brown returns seven starters on defense, although the loss of All-Ivy safety Eugene Smith (a team-leading 104 tackles) hurts. Defense has been the Achilles' heel of Brown teams of recent memory (last season's version allowed 19.7 points per game), but linemen Tony Quarnaccio (seven sacks) and Brendan Pinneran should provide needed improvement.

3. Columbia

Colmbia put many naysayers in their rightful place last season, breaking out of 23-consecutive losing to compile a 5-4-1 record (9-4 Ivy) in 1994, Harvard encaped Morningside Heights with a 39-32 from-behind win last season, but the Crimson's 16-year winning streak may be in jeopardy in 1995.

Although quarterback Jamie Schwalbe (2199 yards, 10 touch-downs) is gone, the team's 10 other offensive starters return to the league leader in scoring and passing yardage. Senior Mike Cavanaugh is looking to fill Schwalbe's shoes.

The veteran defensive unit returns nine starters, including first-team All-Ivy linebacker Rory Wilfork and 27-year-old defensive tackle Eric Keck, Wilfork led the team in tackles (127), tackles for a loss (16) and forced fumbles (3). The Lill brothers, linebacker lake and strong safety Jim, combined for 130 tackles last season.

4. Princeton

Princton's offense looks weak on paper, but experience suggests that there is more than meets the eye to this squad. An unyielding defense has been Princeton's trade-mark under coach Steve and seven returning defensive starters suggest that the Tigers men be first in passing and rushing yards allowed per game again this season.

Ends Ryan Moore, Dale Bartley and Darrell Oliveirs as well as tackle Brian Groody are a solid base to build a defense on. Linebacker Dave Patterson was an All-Ivy first-teamer and defensive back Tom Dudwig had seven interceptions--three against Harvard--last season.

Point generation could be the Tigers biggest problem. Princeton lost tailback Bill Jordan and wide receivers Dave Scoggin and Mare Ross, though the Tigers hang on to quarterback Harry Nakielny. Three of five offensive linemen--six offensive starters in total--have departed as well.

The bottom line is quite simple: Princeton will be able to keep opponents off the scoreboard, but will the Tigers be able to get on the board themselves?

5. Harvard

6. Cornell

Almost the diametric opposite of Brown, Cornell looks like a team on the descent. The Big Red started the 1994 campaign out on a very high note, with victories in six consecutive weeks. And then the wheels fell off the wagon. Cornell crashed to earth with a thud: four straight losses to end the season.

Cornell's primary asset is Chad Levitt, the Ivy League leader in rushing last season. The problem is Levitt is the only guaranteed merchandise the Big Red has. Quarter-back Steve Joyce started two games last year but is inexperienced. Two returning linemen will not be enough to blow open holes for Levitt.

Five starters return on defense, including cornerbacks Nick Bombach and Doug Knopp. The secondary may be in on a lot of action because all but one (John Vitullo) of Cornell's seasoned linebackers are gone.

Coach Jim Hofher says that the competition will be fierce on the defensive side. The implication is that there are many spots to fill.

7. Dartmouth

Training camp may be breeding more questions than answers for the Big Green of Dartmouth. Junior Jon Aljancic, senior Ren Riley and senior Jerry Singleton are at war for the quarterback spot. Pete Oberle, who sat out four games of 1994 with knee injury, may or may not be able to go this season.

Dartmouth counts seven offensive starters returning from a 2-5 Ivy League team. Only five defensive starters are back.

Dartmouth hasn't been the same since super quarterback Jay Fielder left in 1993. Until the Big Green can find a player who makes the sleepy town of Hanover, N.H. forget about "The Man," Dartmouth's gridiron game just won't be the same.

8. Yale

Yale doesn't just come last alphabetically in the Ivy League. Despite last season's 32-13 thumping of Harvard at the Stadium the Bull-dogs won't have much to bark about this season.

The Elis have lost their offensive and defensive anchors in Bob Nelson and Card Ricci, although the Bulldogs return seven starters on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Chris Hetherington is behind center once again, but the senior threw more than twice as many interceptions as touchdown passes in 1994.

Last season, the Eli defense allowed a surprisingly stingy 15 points per game in Ivy League contests. However, Yale was second-to-last in total defense, allowing 360.9 yards per game. With Ricci gone, an anemic defense could be in the offing.

Although legendary Carm Cozza is back for his 31st year, don't be surprised if the buzz at The Game is that the coach Cozza's head may be on the chopping block; some of the Eli faithful feel he's out of touch.Crimson File PhotoHarvard's defensive line will have its hands full with Penn, Brown and Columbia this year.

Ends Ryan Moore, Dale Bartley and Darrell Oliveirs as well as tackle Brian Groody are a solid base to build a defense on. Linebacker Dave Patterson was an All-Ivy first-teamer and defensive back Tom Dudwig had seven interceptions--three against Harvard--last season.

Point generation could be the Tigers biggest problem. Princeton lost tailback Bill Jordan and wide receivers Dave Scoggin and Mare Ross, though the Tigers hang on to quarterback Harry Nakielny. Three of five offensive linemen--six offensive starters in total--have departed as well.

The bottom line is quite simple: Princeton will be able to keep opponents off the scoreboard, but will the Tigers be able to get on the board themselves?

5. Harvard

6. Cornell

Almost the diametric opposite of Brown, Cornell looks like a team on the descent. The Big Red started the 1994 campaign out on a very high note, with victories in six consecutive weeks. And then the wheels fell off the wagon. Cornell crashed to earth with a thud: four straight losses to end the season.

Cornell's primary asset is Chad Levitt, the Ivy League leader in rushing last season. The problem is Levitt is the only guaranteed merchandise the Big Red has. Quarter-back Steve Joyce started two games last year but is inexperienced. Two returning linemen will not be enough to blow open holes for Levitt.

Five starters return on defense, including cornerbacks Nick Bombach and Doug Knopp. The secondary may be in on a lot of action because all but one (John Vitullo) of Cornell's seasoned linebackers are gone.

Coach Jim Hofher says that the competition will be fierce on the defensive side. The implication is that there are many spots to fill.

7. Dartmouth

Training camp may be breeding more questions than answers for the Big Green of Dartmouth. Junior Jon Aljancic, senior Ren Riley and senior Jerry Singleton are at war for the quarterback spot. Pete Oberle, who sat out four games of 1994 with knee injury, may or may not be able to go this season.

Dartmouth counts seven offensive starters returning from a 2-5 Ivy League team. Only five defensive starters are back.

Dartmouth hasn't been the same since super quarterback Jay Fielder left in 1993. Until the Big Green can find a player who makes the sleepy town of Hanover, N.H. forget about "The Man," Dartmouth's gridiron game just won't be the same.

8. Yale

Yale doesn't just come last alphabetically in the Ivy League. Despite last season's 32-13 thumping of Harvard at the Stadium the Bull-dogs won't have much to bark about this season.

The Elis have lost their offensive and defensive anchors in Bob Nelson and Card Ricci, although the Bulldogs return seven starters on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Chris Hetherington is behind center once again, but the senior threw more than twice as many interceptions as touchdown passes in 1994.

Last season, the Eli defense allowed a surprisingly stingy 15 points per game in Ivy League contests. However, Yale was second-to-last in total defense, allowing 360.9 yards per game. With Ricci gone, an anemic defense could be in the offing.

Although legendary Carm Cozza is back for his 31st year, don't be surprised if the buzz at The Game is that the coach Cozza's head may be on the chopping block; some of the Eli faithful feel he's out of touch.Crimson File PhotoHarvard's defensive line will have its hands full with Penn, Brown and Columbia this year.