On homecoming Saturday at Franklin Field, the Penn football team faced some of its stiffest competition of the year from Princeton [1-6, 1-4]. Penn [7-0, 5-0] remained undefeated with its 21-10 victory, but the win was hardly the blowout that Quakers fans have become accustomed to this season. Entering the second half trailing 10-7, Penn picked up its performance and managed two fourth quarter touchdowns to clinch the come from behind victory. Making life miserable for the Quakers defense, which entered the game as the top scoring and rushing defense in Division I-AA, was Princeton quarterback Dave Splithoff. He passed for 217 yards, and rushed for 55 and Princeton's only touchdown. Penn had taken an early 7-3 lead on a Gavin Hoffman touchdown pass to Colin Smith, but Splithoff evaded Penn defensive tackle John Galan and ran in for a 3 yard score. Both offenses were quiet until the fourth quarter when Penn tailback Kris Ryan plunged in for a one yard score. He finished with 166 rushing yards on the day. Penn safety Vince Alexander recovered a Splithoff fumble to end Princeton's next drive, and Penn fullback Adam Keslosky capped off the game with a two yard insurance touchdown. Penn will head to Cambridge next weekend, where it will be facing fellow undefeated Harvard in what could be the deciding match in the Ivy title race.
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