PHILADELPHIA – After a 21-17 loss on the road at Saint Thomas Aquinas last Saturday afternoon, the University of Pennsylvania sprint football team returns to Franklin Field Friday at 7 p.m. against Army on Captains Night.
 
The Quakers (1-1) won their last time out at home on Oct. 16 vs. Alderson Broaddus while the Black Knights won their opener vs. Cornell, 72-0, before falling to Navy, 27-13, in the 83rd annual Star Game.
 
Game 3: PENN (1-1, 1-0 CSFL South) vs. ARMY (1-1, 1-0 CSFL North)
September 30 | 7 p.m. | Franklin Field (Philadelphia)
Live Stats | Live Internet Video: ESPN+ | International Stream
 
Home, Sweet Home
Penn is back where things are a little more comfortable, back at Franklin Field where it won its first game of the season a couple weeks ago against Alderson Broaddus. The Quakers were 2-1 last year at home including their first two home games.
 
Rookie of the Week
The Quakers are racking up weekly awards right now, especially for freshmen student-athletes as linebacker Charles Tauckus was named CSFL Rookie of the Week on Monday following his strong performance at STAC over the weekend. Last week, freshman wide receiver Brandon Graves earned Rookie of the Week honors for his effort in the season opener. Tauckus tallied 13 tackles (second on the team) with an interception for his first career takeaway in the Red and Blue.
 
Trusting the Playcaller
Senior QB Andrew Paolini is having a solid start to his fourth year at Penn, totaling six touchdowns (four passing, two rushing) with zero interceptions between the first two games of the season. He completed 13 passes for 177 yards and had a pair of scores to lead the Quakers' offense against the Spartans on Saturday.
 
New Blood
Tauckus and Graves aren't the only fresh faces making their presence felt to start the season for the Quakers, as freshman running back Levi Gans has factored himself nicely into the Penn running game through the first two matchups of the year. Despite not yet finding the endzone, Gans has rushed 30 times for 122 yards including a 76-yard effort on the ground at STAC Saturday. He's also caught five passes for 44 yards in Paolini's attack through the air.
 
Watch Out For Wang
Sophomore wideout Jake Wang has made quite the impact so far for Penn, catching 10 passes for 158 yards and a touchdown. He's averaging 79 yards per game for the Quakers including an 89-yard performance against Saint Thomas Aquinas.
 
He's Special
A First Team All-CSFL selection back in 2021 for the Quakers, sophomore linebacker Jake Inserra had a strong performance against the Spartans, tallying a team-high 14 tackles with a sack. He was named to the CSFL Honor Roll for his strong effort. Inserra is second only to his teammate Tauckus in total tackles for Penn at 17, but leads the way with 1.5 sacks for a loss of 13 yards.
 
Scouting the Black Knights
Army is looking to get back on track after falling to rival Navy in the Star Game Sept. 23, 27-13 in Annapolis. The Black Knights started the year off strong with a 72-0 victory over Cornell in West Point. Quarterback Mikel Willeke leads the team with four touchdowns and 411 yards through the air with two interceptions. The team's two leading pass-catchers are Donovan Mannion (15 catches, 144 yards) and Traye Carson (14 catches, 127 yards). The Black Knights have had plenty of success in the running game with seven touchdowns on 453 yards. Army is currently holding opponents to just 152 total yards per game.
 
Quakers on Air
Friday night's game will be streamed live on ESPN+ (subscription required). Live stats will also be provided.