Before this weekend, the luckless Princeton football team had suffered both of its Ivy League losses on the game's final play.
Against title-minded Penn on Saturday, however, the outcome seemed certain before most of the boisterous Homecoming crowd could even settle in their seats.
The Quakers, now winners of 14 consecutive games, never looked back after a Mitchell-to-Castles flea flicker on their third play from scrimmage resulted in a touchdown.
Mitchell went on to complete passes to six different receivers in the first quarter as the Quakers sprinted out to a 17-0 lead. Running back Sam Mathews effectively complemented the aerial attack, punishing the Princeton defense 22 times in the first half for 97 yards and a score.
Princeton's eight possessions before the break included four lost fumbles,the half ending and three punts. And zero points.
The Tigers' fruitless first half was a magnificent self-destruction by any standard, and Penn had a 30-point lead. But these undefeated Quakers have come to develop a nasty habit of complacency when victory seems in hand. It seems no lead has been quite large enough.
Two Saturdays ago at Franklin Field, Yale forced overtime after trailing, 31-10, with 11:29 remaining in regulation. Only Peter Veldman's 23-yard field goal in overtime spared the Quakers ultimate embarrassment.
Last week, Penn nearly surrendered a 24-7 lead in the fourth quarter against a decidedly mediocre Brown team. Kyle Slager twice led the Bears down the field against the suddenly-lackluster Penn defense. Only senior Pat McManus' interception with 2:38 remaining halted Brown's potential game-winning drive and allowed the Quakers to escape Providence with a 24-21 victory.
This symptom is hardly a mark of a great champion. Following the Yale game, Bagnoli noted that his team should have played better than they did, that they lacked the "killer instinct" that championship teams require.
After Saturday's convincing victory, consider it a lesson learned.
Penn's endgame against the Tigers was virtually flawless. A steady diet of Mathews peppered with an effective short passing attack kept the clock ticking and helped the Quakers avoid their fourth-quarter problems.
For Bagnoli, the difference between Princeton and Penn's previous near-losses is a clear one.
"That just shows you that you've got to be able to protect the football," Bagnoli said. "It's very, very difficult with those kind of turnovers, especially on the road."
Indeed, much of Penn's success has hinged on their ability to control the turnover battle. The Quakers lead the Ancient Eight with a plus-10 turnover ratio.
Instead of more self-inflicted drama, Penn gave their supporters an appropriate prelude to next week's huge Ivy League matchup with Harvard.
"This was a much better representation of the emotional level you have to actually play at when you get into big games," Bagnoli said.
Forces outside Penn's control continue to align in the Quakers' favor. Harvard and Yale each suffered improbable losses yesterday, giving Penn at least a share of the Ivy League title .
Saturday further demonstrated a lot that is known about this team by now. When Penn can pound the opposition with bruising doses of Mathews, when Josh Appell lifts booming punts that park obediently inside the five and when the offense can convert more than half their third down chances, the Quakers will win.
After yesterday's game it appears these Quakers have finally mastered slamming the door on their resurgent opponents.
Now they're 60 minutes away from slamming the door on their second straight outright Ivy League championship.
