PHILADELPHIA – The University of Pennsylvania football team took part in the 2021 Ivy League Media Day on Monday afternoon. George A. Munger Head Coach of Football Ray Priore answered questions during the virtual event as did Quakers Brian O'Neill and Isaiah Malcome.
Coach Priore opened the Red and Blue's session by talking about how great it was to be on a call preparing for the season.
"The past year and a half has been a challenge," said Priore. "From those challenges have come some great growth opportunities for our team and our leadership. Kudos to our University and athletic department how they've been able to push us through. We're really excited to get started on Saturday and see all the guys."
Entering his seventh year at the helm of the program, Priore also talked about the importance of the team's leadership.
Isaiah Malcome represented Penn's offense on the media call. Malcome is returning for his fifth-year with the program after seeing his 2019 season ended after just one game due to an injury. In his lone appearance during that campaign Malcome put on a show, rushing for 73 yards on nine carries, catching a one-yard TD and returning a punt 69 yards for a score late in the fourth quarter. He has appeared in 21 games and is averaging over eight yards per carry and 12 yards per punt return.
Brian O'Neill, a 2019 second team All-Ivy honoree, anchors a Quaker defensive group that returns a lot of talent. He is a two-year starter that has appeared in all 30 games over Penn's last three seasons of action. O'Neill had a team-leading three INTs in 2019 and he finished that season with 58 tackles, including 12.5 TFLs. As a junior, he recorded four sacks and recovered one fumble. He ranked fifth in the Ivy League in TFLs and second in INTs in 2019.
The 2021 Penn football season opens on Saturday, September 18, on the road against Bucknell. The Quakers and Bison are playing for the first time since 2018 and it will mark just the second meeting between the two teams since 2010.
The Quakers quest for an Ancient Eight title begins under the lights at Franklin Field on October 1, against Dartmouth in a nationally-televised game on ESPNU. The Red and Blue were tabbed fifth in the Ivy League Preseason Media Poll.
Tickets are available to all Penn home games.
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