Bagnoli sticks by decision to punt

With just under six minutes left to play in his team's 30-21 loss to Villanova on Saturday, Penn coach Al Bagnoli had a decision to make.

Trailing 23-21, the Quakers had a fourth-and-one from their own 42-yard line.

Go for it. or kick the ball away? Bagnoli elected to punt.

``That was an easy one," Bagnoli said. ``I thought there was plenty of time left, and we had all three of our time outs. At that point, we certainly didn't want to give them a short field. It wasn't like it was fourth-and-six inches. It was almost a four-and-two, and getting two yards against those guys can be a tough thing to do sometimes."

Everything went according to plan in that Penn got the ball back without giving up any points on 'Nova's ensuing possession. But the Wildcats mounted a 10-play drive before punting, and ran 4:21 off the clock.

Penn started out at its own 4-yard line with 1:21 to go, and saw their hopes end when 'Nova defensive back Ronnie Atkins picked off a pass and provivded the final margin with a 26-yard interception return.

With his team coming off a demoralizing, 37-12 loss to visiting Lafayette in Penn's season opener on Sept. 17, Bagnoli was eager to see how the Quakers would respond with 'Nova coming in with a 10-game winning streak in the series.

This was the third straight year that Penn went into the final few minutes with a chance to win. against 'Nova. This year's edition of the Wildcats is among the yougest coach Andy Talley has had in 27 years at the school.

``I am proud of the kids for the way they competed," Bagnoli said. ``If we can continue to do that and take some of the lessons out for this week, how hard you have to play, I think that's a good sign down the road. The physicality we displayed. I feel a heckuva lot better this week."

Penn will travel to Dartmouth for its Saturday Ivy League opener. The two-time defending champs were picked to repeat.