PHILADELPHIA – The University of Pennsylvania sprint football team heads onto the road for the first time this season on Saturday, facing Saint Thomas Aquinas for the first matchup ever between the two teams at 1 p.m.
 
A win over the Spartans would give the Quakers a 2-0 start to a season for the first time since 2018.
 
Game 2: Penn (1-0, 1-0 CSFL South) at Saint Thomas Aquinas (0-0, 0-0 CSFL North)
September 24 | 1 p.m. | Torne Valley Sports Complex (Sparkill, N.Y.)
Live Internet Video: ECC Network
 
1-0
Penn began things in 2022 with a 30-7 victory over Alderson Broaddus last Friday night at Franklin Field. The Quakers started off the contest with a safety and a 2-0 edge before out-scoring the Battlers, 14-0 in the second half. It marked the first time since 2018 that Penn started the season with a win and improved to 3-0 all-time against Alderson Broaddus.
 
Players of the Week
Senior quarterback Andrew Paolini and freshman wide receiver Brandon Graves each received CSFL weekly laurels on Monday when the league announced its slate of awards as Paolini earned Offensive Player of the Week for the third time in his career while Graves was named Rookie of the Week. Paolini completed 20 passes for 320 yards and three touchdowns, while adding 40 rushing yards with a score, committing zero turnovers. Graves caught five passes for 128 yards and a pair of touchdowns in his debut.
 
Scoring Threats
In addition to Graves, Paolini had another pair of consistent targets against the Battlers in Jake Wang and Danny Coale, both of which totaled more than 60 yards receiving with 69 and 60, respectively. Wang hauled in the Quakers' first touchdown of the new season in the second quarter.
 
Talkin' About Defense
Penn's defense against the rush was spectacular against the Battlers, holding them to -17 yards on the ground. Alderson Broaddus managed 266 yards through the air, despite only recording seven points. Charles Tauckus was Penn's leading tackler with seven while the Quakers had a couple of sacks with Travis Legum leading the way. In addition to his strong night on special teams, Adrian Montemayor recorded five tackles and an interception.
 
Scouting the Spartans
Saint Thomas Aquinas went 2-5 overall last season (0-4 CSFL North). The Spartans concluded the 2021 campaign with a 20-10 victory over Chestnut Hill. Six players earned All-CSFL honors including returners Mahki Matthews (First Team), Hassan Blakney (Second), Malik Lucas (Second) and Dennis Riordan (HM).
 
Quakers On Air
You can catch Saturday's game with a live internet stream through the ECC Network at 1 p.m. Live stats will not be provided this weekend.