NEW YORK — The revenge tour continues as the Penn football notched a win on Saturday, spoiling the Lions’ homecoming celebrations.
After a first-half game plagued by turnovers, Penn’s offense and defense found their footing in the second half to defeat Columbia 35-21. The win against Columbia (1-4, 0-2 Ivy) is the third straight for the Quakers (4-1, 2-0 Ivy), keeping them second in the Ivy League rankings. Senior wide receiver Jared Richardson reached 2,000 career receiving yards to become the sixth player in history to achieve the feat in another standout performance. Richardson leads the Ivy League in receiving yards, receiving yards per game, receptions, receptions per game, and touchdowns. Despite a sloppy start and early turnovers, Penn totaled 459 total yards of offense to Columbia’s 366 — nearly seven yards per play.
On its first drive, the Quakers’ defense forced a quick three-and-out from Columbia, but the game got off to a sloppy start after that. Turnovers from both offenses — including two costly picks from senior quarterback Liam O’Brien — left the score tied in the first quarter.
The Lions’ second drive ended abruptly after a flea-flicker fumble was recovered by quarterback Xander Eschelman, who scrambled in an attempt to save the play but fumbled again on the Penn sideline. Junior safety Josh Narcisse swiftly recovered the ball, giving possession and energy back to Penn.
With two Penn drives stalling deep in the Lions’ territory, a second interception by O’Brien gave the Lions an opportunity to put the first points on the board. After a costly holding penalty by Penn, Columbia running back Michael Walters concluded the 58-yard drive with a walk-in touchdown at Penn’s one-yard line in the final minute of the quarter.
At the beginning of the second quarter, two penalties committed by the Lions’ defense set the Quakers’ offense up inside the 1-yard line. O’Brien completed a pass to Richardson — the reigning FCS National Offensive Player of the Week and a Midseason All-American — to tie the game at 7-7.
A third turnover committed by the Penn offense deep in its territory set up Columbia for its second score of the day — a 32-yard touchdown pass to Lions’ wide receiver Beckett Robinson.
On the next drive, Penn executed its first unhindered drive of the day to tie the game. The drive culminated with a seven-yard slant to senior wide receiver Bisi Owens for the Quakers’ second touchdown to close out the half.
Coming out of the locker room, the Quakers’ offense opened the half with a nearly all-run-play drive, highlighted by a 25-yard scramble from O’Brien. Penn continued to protect the football as O’Brien rushed 18 yards for the Red and Blue’s third touchdown of the day. O’Brien ended the day as the team’s leading rusher with 81 yards.
“We just trusted our coaches, trusted the game plan they had, and knew that we could go out and execute,” O’Brien said. “And when we give our playmakers opportunity to make plays, they do a good job.”
Columbia responded with a 75-yard drive to tie the game. During that drive, junior linebacker Cole Olsztyn and junior defensive lineman Raashed Hall made their first career sack on Eschelman. However, Lions’ wideout receiver Titus Evans made two clutch plays to keep Columbia’s drive alive — including a bobbling sideline catch on fourth-and-six.
Toward the end of the third quarter, Richardson caught a 31-yard pass for the Quakers’ fourth score of the game. The touchdown pushed him past 2,000 total receiving yards in his collegiate career.
A costly special teams mistake on Penn’s first punt of the game set up the Lions just outside the red zone at the beginning of the fourth quarter, but an incomplete pass defended by Hall forced a turnover on downs, which Penn quickly took advantage of. Richardson caught a quick pass from O'Brien for a 76-yard touchdown, giving Penn a 34-21 lead with just under 10 minutes remaining. Richardson concluded with 23 career receiving touchdowns, fourth-most in Quakers’ history. The Lions were unable to retaliate, as a strong stance from the Red and Blue defense resulted in a swift four-and-out, solidifying a Penn victory.
“Stay in the moment... [the] kids are working hard … different kids came up today. We had some injuries. Guys stepped on in play,” coach Ray Priore said. “We’re real proud of them. It’s a long season. We need everybody to pitch in to help us win.”
The victory moves the Quakers to 2-0 in the Ivy League. Both wins are against last year’s conference co-champions.
“Ultimately, the goal is the Ivy League Championship,” Richardson said. “We’ve been talking about [it] since our freshman year, [but] we haven’t been able to do it. Right now is the time.”
