Penn 31, Princeton 21 — Valeri Guevarra, DP Sports editor
For the past two seasons, the story has been pretty similar: Penn football loses a nail-biter to Harvard, then faces a battle for pride, not an Ivy title, that the Tigers win. That remains the storyline heading into this weekend’s edition of the matchup.
As a New Jersey native who swam in the Tigers’ pool just 100 feet from the football stadium, I have a fondness for the Tigers that tells me that they will be victorious. History, too, tells me to pick the Tigers. However, my soul says that the heart and proven talent of Penn football will rewrite the story.
The dangerous trio of senior quarterback Liam O’Brien and senior wide receivers Jared Richardson and Bisi Owens witnessed firsthand in 2022 what a win over Princeton looks like and what it takes to achieve. This week, I believe they’ll lead similar heroics that led them to nearly upset then-No. 11 Harvard. Individually, Richardson has a lot to strive for. If he notches three touchdowns, Richardson will surpass 2018 Wharton graduate and Houston Texans wide receiver Justin Watson to claim the program record for most receiving touchdowns in a season.
It’s the final countdown for Penn football’s seniors, so the Quakers are more than motivated to make the most of it. As a fellow senior, I’m counting on it — because I really don’t want to be embarrassed in my “Beat Princeton” shirt.
Princeton 24, Penn 20 — Conor Smith, deputy DP Sports editor
Before Penn football’s season kicked off, I picked the team to finish 5-5. At the halfway point of the season, it looked like I was going to have to eat my words as the Quakers sat at 4-1 with two Ivy League wins under their belt. I even mused about writing a column headlined, “I was wrong about Penn football.” Then, the team came crashing down to Earth. In week six, Penn traveled to Yale and was blown out by the Bulldogs. Since then, the Quakers have dropped two of their last three games, including an absolute heartbreaker at Harvard.
My fellow graduating seniors are going to point out that Princeton is bad — which it is. But Penn really isn’t much better, especially on the defensive side of the ball. The Quakers are last in the Ivy League in passing defense and No. 7 in defensive efficiency. I think Princeton rolls into Penn passing on Saturday, resulting in the Tigers getting the win and completing my 5-5 record prediction.
Penn 35, Princeton 10 — Walker Carnathan, former DP Sports editor
Saturday’s matchup will feature a clash between the Ivy League’s two geographically closest schools, with less than 50 miles separating Penn’s campus from Princeton’s. But in terms of offensive production, the programs are much further apart.
The Quakers rank No. 2 in the conference in points per game, with a season average of 28.2. On the other hand, the Tigers are managing just 22.4 points per contest. The game is deeper than that, of course, but the teams are also entering the matchup on very different notes.
Penn, despite its heartbreaking loss to Harvard, scored 42 points against a Crimson defense that had not allowed more than 24 points before then. Princeton, meanwhile, fell to Yale 13-10 in a game where Princeton quarterback Kai Colón completed under 50% of his passes. Watch out for a big performance from Penn’s offense and an overall drubbing to end the season on a high note. And as always, puck Frinceton.
Penn 28, Princeton 24 — Vivian Yao, former DP Sports editor
Both the Quakers and the Tigers are officially out of Ivy League title contention. But if you think this game will be a quiet close to two disappointing seasons, think again. If the last several meetups have proved anything, it’s that any Princeton-Penn game will come down to the last possession. For Princeton, it’ll be a chance to end the season on a high note after dropping five of its last six games. For Penn, it’ll be a chance to send off a senior class that has made significant contributions to the program on top.
Richardson recently eclipsed 2,000 career receiving yards and is now tied for the second-most touchdown receptions in program history, with 27. Two touchdown receptions in this Saturday’s affair will also bring Richardson’s single-season total up to 14, tying the current program record for most touchdown receptions in a single season.
O’Brien has been on a tear through the air this season — he is currently ranked No. 2 in the conference in completion percentage and passing touchdowns — so expect to see Richardson come very close to getting his pair of scores as the Quakers secure their first victory over the Tigers in three seasons.
Penn 35, Princeton 21 — Emily Scolnick and Diamy Wang, DP editor-in-chief and executive editor
Penn is more motivated than ever to finish the season strong after last weekend’s heartbreaking loss at Harvard, and it won’t let the game get down to the wire. Both Penn and Princeton have performed less than ideally this past season, but the Quakers have the upper hand — a winning record, playing on their home turf, and an eternal desire to “puck Frinceton” over.
Penn coach Ray Priore has something to prove after his decisions as the clock wound down against the Crimson drew ire, at least from DPOSTM. All eyes — including Penn Athletics Director Alanna Wren’s — will be on his game plan against the Tigers. And even though Penn is now out of the running for an Ivy title and an FCS playoff berth, O’Brien, Richardson, and Owens are all looking to finish their final seasons in the Red and Blue on a high note.
It’s a family affair for our last Penn football game, as we’re both looking to shove this win in the faces of our relatives — specifically, Emily’s mom and Diamy’s brother. But it would also be nice to snap our two-game losing streak against the Tigers, and to finally tie our overall record against them as we finish out the 2025 campaign.
