Penn football is off to a hot start.
The Quakers have made a statement by defeating two of last season’s Ivy League co-champions to begin this season’s conference play. Additionally, the Red and Blue have kicked off Ivy play with a perfect 2-0 record for the first time since the 2022 season. Though several more games need to be played to determine who will earn the championship ring this year, the Quakers are ready to do whatever it takes to secure the title.
This Saturday, Penn will trek up to New Haven, Conn. for its second-straight road matchup against Yale, who currently sits at 1-1 in conference play with a hefty 41-24 win over Cornell and a narrow 17-16 loss to Dartmouth. Historically, the Bulldogs have had six victories over the Quakers in their last 10 matchups. Last season, the Red and Blue suffered a blowout 31-10 loss against the Bulldogs under the Friday night lights; however, this year, Penn returns stronger and with a vision of continuing its “revenge tour” on Yale’s home turf.
“We play best when we’re having fun, but at the same time, we’ve just got to be mentally locked in to what our game plan is and how to go execute our strategy,” senior quarterback Liam O’Brien said.
Coming off a big weekend at Columbia, the Quakers’ offense continues to prove its strength. O’Brien accounted for five touchdowns, becoming the first player in Penn history to accumulate five-or-more touchdowns in two separate games. He currently leads the Ivy League with 12 passing touchdowns. Star senior wide receiver Jared Richardson also had a historic day, eclipsing the 2,000 receiving-yards mark and becoming the sixth player to do so in program history. Richardson’s efforts earned him his second-consecutive Ivy League Offensive Player of the Week title.
A look into the past for Richardson is rarely a visit to a pile of personal accolades, but rather to shortcomings. Last season’s loss against Yale is no exception.
“Going back to last year, I already put that in my notebook. We had a meeting today, [and] I put on the top ‘week six, Yale: 31-10,’ and I put ‘one catch for 11 yards,’” Richardson said. “That just shows [that] the revenge tour is in full effect.”
Yale plans to use its stealthy defense led by linebacker Inumidun Ayo-Durojaiye and defensive lineman Ezekiel Larry to halt the Quakers’ offensive powerhouse. Ayo-Durojaiye currently leads the Ivy League in tackles, while Larry remains second for total sacks. The Bulldogs defensive unit put on a show in its most recent matchup against Stonehill, only allowing seven total points from the Skyhawks.
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Even if defense wins championships, a strong offense will aid in the measure. Yale’s offense, helmed by quarterback Dante Reno, put up an impressive 47 points and accumulated a total of 481 offensive yards against Stonehill. Yale running back Josh Pitsenberger contributed abundantly with 69 yards and two touchdowns on the day. Pitsenberger currently leads the Ivy League in rushing yards, while Yale wide receiver Nico Brown is No. 2 in receiving yards to none other than Richardson.
Despite going up against strong offensive and defensive fronts from the Bulldogs, Penn remains focused on the elements that it can control.
“It’s not as much, in my opinion, as what Yale or any other opponent will do. It’s how we respond and how we play our game,” coach Ray Priore said. “If we play our game [that] we’re capable of playing, I think it’s gonna be a great game.”
A fire has been lit under the Quakers, and with such an explosive start driving them forward, fans should expect a light show from the Red and Blue continuing this Saturday in Bulldogs country.
“Accolades are cool, but a ring is better, and that’s kind of the mindset,” O’Brien said.
