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Penn trying to find its new quarterback in quest for third straight Ivy League title

Penn's football team, which is trying to win a third straight Ivy League title in coach Ray Priore's third season, need to find a quarterback from among three unproven candidates to succeed three-year starter Alek Torgersen.

Quarterbacks (from left) Will Fischer-Colbrie, Ryan Glover, and Nick Robinson pose for photos during Penn Football Media Day at Franklin Field.
Quarterbacks (from left) Will Fischer-Colbrie, Ryan Glover, and Nick Robinson pose for photos during Penn Football Media Day at Franklin Field.Read moreAvi Steinhardt / For The Inquirer

After winning Ivy League titles the last two years with quarterback Alek Torgersen – who is now trying to make the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent – Penn will have a new guy taking the snaps when the season opens Sept. 16 at home against Ohio Dominican.

Third-year coach Ray Priore just isn't sure yet which one of three possibilities it will be.

"We're only 11 days into practice," he said during Monday morning's annual media day at Franklin Field. "We still have 18 days to go. About practice 18 we'll be making a decision.

"The quarterback is vital to how the whole team flows. It's about a process. The nice part is they've all done a tremendous job. So they're not making it easy."

Senior Will Fischer-Colbrie, who transferred from Colorado in 2015, has not seen any game action. Fellow Californian Nick Robinson, a sophomore, was the scout-team QB at Georgia two years ago and last season played for Saddlebrook (community) College back in his home state. Then there's freshman Ryan Glover, from Atlanta, who supposedly has a big-time arm. Sophomore Tyler Herrick was also in the mix but has been moved to wide receiver.

"It's evolving," said offensive coordinator John Reagan. "That's the perfect word for it. There's a lot of growth going on. A couple of years ago, we were trying to figure out what we would look like with Alek at quarterback. Every year is different in that way. Right now there's lots of pieces to the puzzle. They're one of the pieces."

Whoever emerges, he'll no doubt target preseason All-American wideout Justin Watson early and often.

"He's our favorite pastime," Fischer-Colbrie said with a smile. "We're lucky we've got guys like him to lean on."

Ditto Tre Solomon, the Ivies' leading returning rusher.

"It's interesting, being the only returning player in the room," Fischer-Colbie went on. "It's awesome having new blood coming in, pushing me. And I'm pushing them. That's only going to improve the team. I try to bring my experience. They're bringing new energy. It's all friendly and fun. We're all competitors.

"Everyone knows what Torg did is special. He's one of the best ever here. But as far as comparisons, this year is this year."

The Quakers were picked to finish third in the Ivy League preseason poll of media members. Harvard and Princeton tied for the top spot, with the Tigers receiving one more first-place vote (six) than Harvard and Penn. Princeton shared the title with Penn a year ago but lost QB John Lovett, the league's Most Outstanding Offensive Player, to a shoulder injury. Harvard, which shared the title with Penn and Dartmouth in 2015, does have QB Joseph Viviano III (Conestoga High) back. It has lost two straight to the Quakers but gets them at home in November.

Of course, you have to get there first.

"It's the next man up," said senior defensive end Louis Vecchio, a captain. "That's all you can ask for."

And so it has to proceed. Did somebody mention pressure?

"That's the position of playing quarterback," said Glover. "Everything's going to fall on you. It's part of the deal."

Evolve away.