LEWISBURG, Pa. -- Kicker Evan Nolan had a chance at redemption Saturday against Bucknell. The Quakers original starter -- sidelined after failing to convert his last four field-goal attempts -- saved the game for the Red and Blue setting up the opportunity for a 32-25 double-overtime win over the gritty Bison.
Coming into the game for the first time, Nolan was staring down the uprights 42 yards away with the game on the line. In the first overtime session, Bucknell kicker Ryan Korn got a lucky bounce on a 47-yard field goal that defected off the crossbar and through the put the Bison on top. Penn then had the opportunity to lock up the win -- but the offense could not get it done. Then it was all up to Nolan.
And this time Nolan delivered. The Bucknell fans fell silent as Nolan's kick effortlessly split the uprights keeping the Quakers hopes alive.
Quarterback Pat McDermott provided the difference in the second extra session leaping over the pile on the 1-yard line to scratch out the wining advantage.
In Bucknell's last chance the Quakers defense demonstrated why they are so well regarded. Senior Greg Jones put the hammer down on the Bison with a critical sack of quarterback Daris Wilson, pushing him back to the 32-yard line. The senior signal caller was unable do complete what he had done with ease all day -- make the big play.
Bucknell's home unbeaten streak against non-conference opponents that has stood since the 1996 Quakers pulled out a 30-21 overtime win in 1996 came to an end.
A game that saw the Quakers miss two field goals and turn the ball over three times in the first half, quickly turned into an emotional thriller in which McDermott and his number one receiver Dan Castles both recorded career numbers. McDermott came to life completing 32 of 55 passes for 384 yards in addition to muscling his way to a pair of touchdowns. Castles made a career-best 12 catches, almost all of which came at critical points in the game including a pair of red-zone snares in double overtime.
While the game had no real implications for the remainder of the Quakers season, it was an important boost of confidence as the bulk of the Ivy season looms on the horizon. But while this game may have been pegged as a final tune-up for the Ancient Eight campaign, Bucknell had other ideas. The Bison used their unconventional flexbone offensive system to tear off 137 rushing yards and 22 points in regulation, both high water marks against a Quakers team that ranks third in Division I-AA in rushing defense.
With the win, Penn improves to 3-1 (1-0 Ivy) while Bucknell falls to 3-2 (1-0 Patriot).
Ivy League Scoreboard PENN 32, Bucknell 25 - 2OT Harvard 34, Cornell 24 Yale 24, Dartmouth 14 Colgate 29, Princeton 26 Brown 27, Fordham 20 - OT Lafayette 35, Columbia 14
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