HALFTIME: Penn football leads Brown 13-0 as adverse weather takes a toll

This is an ugly mess of a game.

With rain pouring down and the field a muddy swamp, Penn football leads Brown 13-0 at the half. The Nor’easter is having a huge effect on the game, causing both offenses to be both literally and figuratively stuck in the mud.

The field conditions and the weather made an impact from the first play from scrimmage, as Brown’s quarterback Livingstone Harriot dropped the opening snap and had to scramble just to throw the ball away.

On Penn’s first offensive play, a wet ball popped right out of junior running back Karekin Brooks’ hands and into the hands of Brown defensive end Ryan Putman. In the second quarter, junior running back Abe Willows had a similar problem, dropping the ball on a third and goal, which Brown (1-5, 0-3 Ivy) recovered as well.

Brown’s offense was especially susceptive to the poor field conditions. The Bears had absolutely no momentum all half, and struggled mightily to move the ball. Brown did not pick up a first down until nearly four minutes into the second quarter, and finished the half with only 50 yards, all of which came on rushes.

As for the Quakers (4-2, 1-2) Brooks bounced back from the fumble to power the offense. He broke off two huge runs, one for 63 yards and one for 47 yards, to set Penn up deep in Brown’s territory. The Red and Blue converted one of those runs into a 21-yard field goal from senior kicker Jack Soslow to take a 3-0 lead in the middle of the first quarter. Brooks finished the half with 170 rushing yards.

While sophomore quarterback Ryan Glover started the game and led the Quakers to their first score, it was junior quarterback Nick Robinson who took over at the end of the first quarter and extended the lead. He led a methodical drive, converting several third downs, and eventually threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Steve Farrell to stretch the lead to 10-0.

Towards the end of the half, two key penalties set up another chip shot for Soslow, allowing the Quakers to head into the half with a 13-0 lead.

Check back at the end of the game for the full-length recap, and follow @Dailypennsports on twitter in the meantime.