Penn’s football rivalry with Columbia began in 1878. But for two defensive linemen, the rivalry was about a little bit more than history.
When the Quakers took on the Lions two weeks ago, Penn freshman Matt Schwartz was on the field with his twin brother Roy — on the opposing sideline.
In high school, “people would always be looking around during the game and swear that one kid was making every play on the field because they couldn’t tell the difference between us,” Matt said.
The twins discussed the possibility of playing together in college, but ultimately ended up at rival schools.
And while Matt said he and his brother’s college experiences thus far have been nearly identical, their win and loss columns couldn’t be more different.
After Penn’s fourth-quarter comeback two weeks ago, the Quakers left the Lions still winless on the season. Matt had to gloat.
“I waited a little bit because I knew he’d be mad about it,” Matt said. “But there was a lot of trash talking. I gave him a hard time.”
In addition to Schwartz, freshman David Strauser’s brother Matthew is a sophomore linebacker at Princeton.
A different set of Ivy brothers, however, fight for the same team.
Freshman kicker Michael Rasmussen is the younger brother of senior linebacker Jason Rasmussen.
The Rasmussens played together briefly in high school, but never expected to play again on the same field.
“It’s an opportunity that a lot of brothers don’t get to have,” Michael said. “It’s cool to have that camaraderie with Jason.”
Though the brothers are close and say they even hang out off the field, the elder Rasmussen never pressured his younger brother into choosing Penn.
“I did my best to stay out of it and let him make his own decision,” Jason said.
“He obviously wanted me to come here and told me what it was like, but he didn’t have the final say,” Michael added.
Though the Rasmussens are from Florida, their parents can’t resist coming to Philadelphia to see their sons play.
“We can’t get rid of them,” Jason said. “Every weekend they’re up here.”
But when brothers are on opposing Ivy teams, their parents have to be a bit more diplomatic.
“One will wear Columbia, one will wear Penn,” Schwartz explained. “They just root for a good game.”
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