Home sweet home.
On Saturday, Penn football will take on Cornell in a pivotal game for the Ivy League standings. If that isn’t enough to get you to the game, you might just miss the start of something special. After ending with a 2-5 conference record last year and tying a sixth-place finish in the conference, the Quakers have already surpassed that win total this year with three victories in the Ancient Eight. The offense has been unstoppable and the defense is starting to hit its stride. But what does this game mean in the context of Homecoming weekend?
Simple: It’s for the students.
Facts for students
Admission is free — everyone’s favorite four-letter word.
Not only is the game free of charge, but also, Penn Athletics will be handing out an exclusive, limited-edition “toast” pin that is only available on game day as part of its pin drop series. Students can go watch at any point during the game, but it is best to be there by the third quarter to be on time for a hallmark Penn tradition — toast throwing. At the end of the third quarter, students will be provided with toast that they can hurl onto the field as far as the eye can see. The tradition originated from a football game where fans would make a toast with alcohol, but after its prohibition in the 1970s, slices of toast were used instead.
The game
Saturday marks Penn football’s 73rd Homecoming matchup. Surprisingly, the Quakers have a losing overall record on Homecoming at 31-39-2, but they do hold a winning record against Cornell on Homecoming with a record of 2-1. That win column could increase on Saturday as Penn battles Cornell for the Trustees’ Cup. The last time the Quakers met Cornell on Homecoming was in 2023, when former star running back Malachi Hosley posted one of the best rushing games in Penn football history to propel the Quakers to a 23-8 win.
Football 101
RELATED:
Penn football's Liam O'Brien was set to play lacrosse at Cornell. A 'gut decision' changed that.
The goal of football is to score more points than your opponent. But how do you do it? The goal of the offense is to move the football down the field, with the defense trying to prevent the offense from doing so. Coordinators from each team send in a play to attack an opponent’s weaknesses on offense and defense. Teams on offense have two options to move the football — running or passing the ball. Each offers different advantages and disadvantages, and teams will employ both throughout the course of a game. The offense gets three chances, or downs, to get 10 yards and continue moving down the field. If not, the offense will have to give the ball — through a punt — to the other team.
Got it? If you don’t, you'll catch on!
Players to look out for
Although Hosley is not with the Quakers anymore after his transfer to Georgia Tech last season, several star players remain on this Red and Blue squad. Senior quarterback Liam O’Brien has turned heads this season, putting together an impressive season so far. He mostly targets his two favorite senior wide receivers Jared Richardson and Bisi Owens. Richardson has taken home multiple Ivy League Offensive Player of the Week honors and is expected to have a big showing against Cornell.
A tradition like no other
Homecoming isn’t just a Penn tradition — it’s a college staple across the country. But one thing always stays the same: the football game. Students are the heartbeat of any home team’s success, and this year will be no different. Homecoming at Penn usually draws the biggest crowd of the season, but it’s usually alumni filling the stands. Instead of heading to daytime parties, students may find it worthwhile to trade the Solo cup for a stadium seat. Penn football is right in the thick of its Ivy League push, and the team needs the student section louder than ever.
