After six games, Penn sits in four-way tie atop Ivy League

Penn 17, Dartmouth 14 The linemen's push, and Finn's second effort, was enough for the winning score three minutes into the fourth quarter. The touchdown capped a 14-play, 5:31 drive that existed courtesy of a fumble recovery by Quakers linebacker Jim Hisgen. The series featured a pass interference penalty on fourth down. Dartmouth cornerback Tom Reusser seemed to have successfully defended Penn sophomore wide receiver David O'Neill when the flag came flying from behind. Instead of a Dartmouth possession at its own 31-yard line, Penn continued its drive from the Big Green 20, foiling the Dartmouth comeback from first-half doom. Dartmouth, however, will certainly examine the inept first-half offense that managed a meager four yards of total offense. The Big Green attack did not gain a single first down in those opening two quarters, due largely to the omnipresence of Penn's front seven on defense. Finn finished with 151 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Quakers. · Richmond 34, Penn 18 In what may prove to have been the toughest test of the season for the Penn football team, the Quakers' home opener at Franklin Field against Richmond was replete with disappointment. The final score of 34-18 does not portray the extent of Richmond's embarrassment of Penn, as Richmond led 34-5 with 10 minutes to play in the game. As a result of poor execution of the game plan, the Quakers were befuddled by turnovers, costly penalties, poor blocking, missed tackles and even missed extra points. Two of the four turnovers by Penn resulted in Spiders touchdowns. In order to compete with a very physical Richmond team, Penn coach Al Bagnoli planned to utilize a more balanced offensive strategy, calling more passing plays than the first week to complement Jim Finn and the ground attack. Matt Rader's passing game did come to life down the stretch, but it proved to be too little, too late. With 5:30 remaining in the game, Rader threw a bomb to junior receiver Brandon Carson for a 63-yard touchdown, and threw a second touchdown to sophomore Jason Battung, this one for 11 yards with 1:43 left in the game. · Penn 20, Bucknell 10 After a humbling 34-18 loss to Richmond the previous week at home, Penn avenged last season's 20-16 loss to Bucknell with a 20-10 victory over the visiting Bison. Penn free safety and senior punt return man Joe Piela caused the Parents Weekend crowd -- announced at 10,809 -- to erupt early in the second quarter as he danced down the right sideline for a 52-yard touchdown return. The low, line-drive kick from Bucknell punter Brian Kramer let the Quakers take an early 10-0 lead. Piela provided the finishing blow as well when he picked off Bucknell quarterback Don McDowell's attempted pass with 2:08 left. Initially tipped by Penn senior linebacker Darren MacDonald, the interception ended all hopes for the Bison, who had little chance to erase the remaining 10-point deficit Throughout the game, the Quakers' defense dictated the tempo while their special teams electrified the crowd. Although Penn's offense demonstrated little consistency, their overall ability to hold possession and turn a few big plays was enough to earn themselves the victory. · Penn 34, Fordham 31 The customary craziness of Gotham shifted north to the Bronx, leaving the road team happy to bring home a victory. In Penn's 34-31 win over Fordham, the happiness was mixed with a scare. Quakers starting quarterback Matt Rader exited the game after suffering a deep gash to his right throwing arm late in the third quarter. The injury was a tough hit for the Quakers. Rader systematically worked the width of the field in the passing game against the Rams, resulting in 19 of 25 passes completed for 256 yards and three touchdowns. The game-breaking play was Rader's 39-yard touchdown pass to sophomore David O'Neill down the right sideline with four seconds left in the first half. The score gave the Red and Blue a 27-14 advantage. But with Rader's exit came Fordham's 21-point comeback. A 20-point Penn advantage shrank to three, due largely to the duo of Rams quarterback Steve O'Hare (23 of 37 passing for 323 yards) and wideout Gerry McDermott (nine catches for 125 yards). In the end, however, the Quakers held on to their lead. · Penn 20, Columbia 0 Late afternoon on Friday, October 16, things did not look good for the Penn football team. Not only was Quakers starting quarterback Matt Rader's status questionable with a gash on his throwing arm, but two key members of the defense -- senior right tackle Mike Germino and junior linebacker Jim Hisgen -- were also out. But a funny thing happened the next day on the way to the Quakers' first Ivy loss of season -- they did not lose. Penn's trainers slapped a bandage on Rader's arm and he sparked Penn to a 20-0 win over Columbia at Franklin Field. Jim Finn had a hand in two Penn touchdowns, but Saturday's game was not typical Finn. He threw a 21-yard pass to junior Doug O'Neill for the first points of the game, and he sealed the win with a five-yard run that ended the scoring. Finn came in leading the Ivies in rushing, but Columbia held him to 77 yards on 27 carries. · Brown 58, Penn 51 Like a shootout at the O.K. Corral, last Saturday's football game between Penn and Brown came down to the last team standing. In a game with five lead changes, the Bears ended up with the only one that mattered, as Brown scored the game's last touchdown with only four seconds remaining -- defeating the visiting Quakers, 58-51. After watching the Quakers tie the game at 51 with only 44 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, the confident Bears offense returned to the field and once again executed against the Penn defense. Behind the arm of quarterback James Perry, Brown drove the length of the field, and from 24 yards out, Perry found receiver Stephen Campbell open in the endzone for the game-winning completion. Both teams used the first half for warm-up, making the second half look like a slam-dunk contest, with both teams scoring at will. Of the Ivy League-record 109 combined points, 78 came in the final 30 minutes. In the Quakers' last four drives of the game, running back Jim Finn carried the ball 17 times for 130 yards and scored four touchdowns. Combined with his two touchdowns in the first half, the Quakers' senior tailback set a new single-game Penn record, while his 259 rushing yards ranks second. Recaps were compiled by Daily Pennsylvanian sportswriter Rick Haggerty from previous Daily Pennsylvanian articles.