Penn's Conner Scott looks for big season

Conner Scott is a big target who carries high expectations for a young Penn football team. On a team that will be using a first-time starter at quarterback, Scott, a fifth-year senior receiver, will be expected to be among the leaders of the Quakers offense.

And unlike earlier in his career when Penn twice earned Ivy League titles, this year the expectations have lowered for the Quakers, at least from the outside. Coming off a 4-6 season, Penn was picked fourth in the preseason Ivy League poll. That is much lower than Scott envisions.

"My goal is an Ivy League championship," Scott said. "It's Ivy League or bust."

For that to happen, Scott will have to revert to his 2012 season, his best at Penn. During that year, Scott had 52 receptions for 691 yards and five touchdowns as Penn won the Ivy League championship, the ninth under coach Al Bagnoli.

Scott enjoyed a solid year last season, but an ankle injury caused him to miss three games. He ended with 38 receptions for 458 yards and two touchdowns.

"I think if he stays healthy, he has a chance to be a difference-maker in the league," Bagnoli said.

Scott played in all 10 games as a freshman in 2010 when Penn won the Ivy League title. He had 10 receptions for 106 yards and a touchdown.

A product of Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts, Scott missed the 2011 season because of a broken arm. He said he decided then that he would stay at Penn for a fifth season to make up for his lost sophomore year. After that came his breakthrough season in 2012.

In 27 career games at Penn, the 6-foot-4, 210-pound Scott is ninth on the school's all-time list with 100 career receptions. He is 10th all-time with 1,255 career receiving yards.

None of that means much to Scott. All he wants to do is rebound from last season.

In order to do that, he'll have to adjust to a new quarterback. Rifle-armed sophomore Alek Torgersen is expected to be the starter for the opener Saturday at Jacksonville.

Torgersen said he will benefit from Scott's experience. "He's a guy who always gets open and is a great target," Torgersen said.

Since the 2012 season, Scott has been double-teamed by defenses, so even when he isn't catching passes, he's opening up areas for his teammates.

Most of all, he gives the young team a comfort level, with somebody who has come up big at the most opportune times. Never was that more evident than the 2012 Harvard game, a 30-21 win for the Quakers that clinched at least a share of the Ivy League title. In that game, Scott had four receptions for 72 yards and a 32-yard touchdown.

"What he brings is that leadership, that maturity, and that game experience," Bagnoli said. "That is going to be critical as we prepare to get our guys game-ready."

And Scott is relishing the leadership role in his final go for Penn.

"I just want to be the best teammate and captain I can be," he said. "As a senior, you want to do everything possible to help the team win."

Coach: Al Bagnoli (146-72 in 22 seasons; 232-91 overall).

Last season: 4-6 (3-4 Ivy League, tie 4th).

Top returning players: Dan Davis (LB, Sr., 6-foot-3, 240, 10.5 tackles for loss, 1st-team all-Ivy); Evan Jackson (DB, Sr., 6-0, 200, 59 tackles, 2nd-team all-Ivy); Conner Scott (WR, SR., 6-4, 205, 100 career receptions); Dan Wilk (DB, Sr., 6-0, 190, 42 tackles); Kyle Wilcox (RB, Sr. 5-10, 200, 493 yards rushing, 4.8 avg., 2 TDs).

Top newcomers: Justin Watson (WR, Fr., 6-3, 210); Zach O'Leary (LS, Fr., 6-1, 215); Louis Vecchio (DL, Fr., 6-4, 245).

Outlook: Alek Torgersen, a 6-3, 225-pound sophomore who attempted 10 passes last year (all in the season finale), has earned the starting quarterback job. The running game was bolstered during preseason practice, when Penn found out that running back Lyle Marsh, who missed last season because of injury, was granted an extra season of eligibility. The Quakers will be moving Spencer Kulcsar from running back to wide receiver in an attempt to build up the passing game. The defensive strength is at linebacker and in the secondary, but the defensive line is unproven. Bagnoli announced in the spring that this would be his final season, and defensive coordinator Ray Priore will replace him. Penn is picked to finish fourth in the Ivy League. Defending cochampions Princeton and Harvard were picked first and second, respectively, in a preseason poll and Penn meets both in successive weeks, Nov. 8 at Princeton and No. 15 at Harvard.

- Marc Narducci

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