Final: Harvard 23, Penn 7
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SHAREIn-game updates from the Harvard game can be found after the jump.
BOSTON -- Hello from a chilly Harvard Stadium. The crowd is still filing in, but it looks like there will be a solid turnout to see if the Crimson can keep their Ivy unbeaten streak alive against Penn.
End Fourth Quarter
That's all from us here at The Buzz. Check back later this weekend and in Monday's print edition for thoughts on this weekend's game. 1:47 Fourth Quarter, Penn 7, Harvard 23
The fat lady is singin'. McNally is picked off by Murphy, who just added insult to injury with that interception.
Penn has just one timeout left, and it will let the clock run out with Collier Winters now at quarterback for Harvard.
1:54 Fourth Quarter, Penn 7, Harvard 23
As Tom Jackson would say, McNally got jacked up! Connor Murphy lays him out as he releases a pass. Penn gives it to Blackmon on the next play, and then McNally overthrows Lawrence on third down.
And, as I write this, a fourth and six becomes a first down without a play having been run. The officials aren't telling us something, but the Quakers have it at the Harvard 47.
2:50 Fourth Quarter, Penn 7, Harvard 23
After three Harvard runs and a punt, McNally hits Lawrence after a false start call. It's first down on the 35. 4:50 Fourth Quarter, Penn 7, Harvard 23
Or not.
Pizzotti comes out throwing, and Harvard picks up a first down. I have to question Coach Tim Murphy's tactics here, throwing on first down. You gotta run the ball at this point.
5:04 Fourth Quarter, Penn 7, Harvard 23
Melillo comes out for what will likely be the final time today after McNally is called for intentional grounding. He couldn't get anything going in that three-and-out drive.
Could be a run-out-the-clock situation now.
5:30 Fourth Quarter, Penn 7, Harvard 23
Bagnoli has officially yanked Walker. Looks like it's McNally from here on out.
On first down from their own 40, Lawrence makes an acrobatic catch, but he was called for illegal touching--he had stepped out of bounds before coming back in.
5:58 Fourth Quarter, Penn 7, Harvard 23
Or maybe they'll get some insurance points.
Ho runs it in from 20 yards out, shaking off a couple of Penn defensive backs in the process. Long shanks the extra point, though, and it's a 16-point margin.
6:44 Fourth Quarter, Penn 7, Harvard 17
What a brainlock. Lawrence calls a fair catch on a short, high kick, but he runs near the bouncing ball. It grazes his leg, and Harvard recovers it on the 20. Within striking distance, the Crimson will play keep-away.
7:09 Fourth Quarter, Penn 7, Harvard 17
Pizzotti is dropped behind the line on third and eight after a keeper and an incomplete pass. A holding call is declined, and Hull will come into pooch it.
7:35 Fourth Quarter, Penn 7, Harvard 17
And with one swipe of a bear paw, it's almost over. Defensive tackle Matt Curtis swats away a short pass from Walker and Harvard will take over at the Penn 39. 7:39 Fourth Quarter, Penn 7, Harvard 17
Great tackle by Barker prevents Lepisto from turning the corner and getting the first down on second and ten. Now Penn faces a third and two, but opt to go deep.
The offense is staying on the field. Here's the ball game.
8:31 Fourth Quarter, Penn 7, Harvard 17
We got it! Tom Stone recovers a fumbled snap at the Harvard 31. One play earlier, Mazza hauled in a long pass and Harvard looked to be in position to put up some more points. It's on Walker's shoulders now.
8:45 Fourth Quarter, Penn 7, Harvard 17
Maugle is once again caught turned the wrong direction. Luft drags a foot inbounds for a 22-yard gain at the 38-yard line.
9:34 Fourth Quarter, Penn 7, Harvard 17
After Miran catches a pass for next-to-nothing, Walker air-mails one over the head of Derham. Yet another fourth down and punt.
The Crimson will take over at the 12.
10:05 Fourth Quarter, Penn 7, Harvard 17
Penn takes over in Harvard territory, and will give it to Kelms on first down. He loses a yard.
10:35 Fourth Quarter, Penn 7, Harvard 17
Pizzotti misses Mike Cook on second and long, and Ho can't get anywhere on third down. Punt time. 12:16 Fourth Quarter, Penn 7, Harvard 17
Melillo's kick down inside the 20. On the tackle are long snapper Ted Rosenbaum and McNally. Not exactly guys built to bring people down, but they get it done.
Meanwhile, a flock of seagulls are circling above the field. Maybe Pizzotti has some breadcrumbs in his pocket.
12:40 Fourth Quarter, Penn 7, Harvard 17
False start against Penn on fourth down. Melillo will come on out for the ninth time today.
12:40 Fourth Quarter, Penn 7, Harvard 17 On third and 10, Walker hits a diving Lepisto inches shy of the first down marker. Looks like they'll go for the fourth and short. 14:50 Fourth Quarter, Penn 7, Harvard 17
A Harvard bounce takes the punt to the Penn 40 for a net of 42 yards. And Walker is still in at QB for the Quakers.
End Third Quarter A lucky spot for Penn. Ho runs for 10-and-a-half on third and 11, so Harvard has to kick it away. The Crimson will be turned around and kick into the wind from their own 18 as the third quarter comes to an end.
1:23 Third Quarter, Penn 7, Harvard 17
On second down, Miller catches a pass in the flat, but there's a flag down behind the line of scrimmage. Looks like a hold, but it's called a personal foul, and the play is called back. Second and 14 from the five now.
2:15 Third Quarter, Penn 7, Harvard 17
The snap goes to Melillo, not McNally, and he kicks it to the Harvard 10.
Ho is stuffed on a run on first down..
2:30 Third Quarter, Penn 7, Harvard 17
On third and three, Penn is called for holding. On third and 13, Walker stumbles and jukes his way to midfield for a gain of 11. McNally is in on special teams again on the punt.
3:31 Third Quarter, Penn 7, Harvard 17
Are you kidding me?! For the second week in a row, Penn lines up like they're kicking deep, but runs an onside kick. Ambrogi recovers a perfect kick uncontested. Great job by kickoff man Dave Kuncio.
3:31 Third Quarter, Penn 7, Harvard 17
The Quakers are on the board! DiMaggio takes a pitch on the right side into the end zone on second down from the two. Samson bangs home the PAT.
Let's see if Penn can do anything with this momentum.
4:10 Third Quarter, Penn 0, Harvard 17
And another one!
Derrick Barker is called for pass interference in the end zone. He was faceguarding Coleman all the way, and Penn is down to the two. The Quakers call timeout to talk it over.
4:16 Third Quarter, Penn 0, Harvard 17
Penn gets a break. A pass interference is called on a pass to Lepisto that looked to be uncatchable. Down to the 16.
5:12 Third Quarter, Penn 0, Harvard 17
Walker keeps it on an option play on a second and short, and picks up the first. Tack on 15 yards to that because of a facemask penalty, and the Quakers are all the way down to the Harvard 31.
6:35 Third Quarter, Penn 0, Harvard 17
Lepisto brings in an eight-yard catch for a first down, but can't bring one in on first down along the sideline.
However, DiMaggio moves the chains with a nice run up to the Penn 44.
7:52 Third Quarter, Penn 0, Harvard 17
Punter Thomas Hull gets off an incredible punt but a Harvard special teamer smacked it into the end zone from inside the five.
8:08 Third Quarter, Penn 0, Harvard 17
A great play by Greg Ambrogi to get to Pizzotti and wrap him up in the backfield, forcing a fourth and long.
9:24 Third Quarter, Penn 0, Harvard 17
Another three-and-out for Penn. A short completion to Fisher is all Penn can muster, and out comes a familiar face--Anthony Melillo.
He punts it to the Crimson 41.
10:51 Third Quarter, Penn 0, Harvard 17
It's good. A 30-yard field goal from Patrick Long after the Crimson can't find the end zone.
12:00 Third Quarter, Penn 0, Harvard 14
Another pass to Luft, another first down. Pizzotti is really finding this kid today. Now Harvard is down to the 14, and isn't showing signs of slowing down.
12:46 Third Quarter, Penn 0, Harvard 14
The Penn offense couldn't ask for a worse start to the half. Bradford Blackmon coughs it up on his first carry, and Harvard's Doug Hewlett recovers on the Penn 28. Time to hit the panic button. 12:59 Third Quarter, Penn 0, Harvard 14
Touchdown. Pizzotti eludes Joe Anastasio and a blitzing Britton Ertman, and lofts one to Luft in the end zone for a 30-yard score. Maugle has him covered, but he turns around a split-second too late. The PAT is good, and Penn is in a much more precarious position.
13:30 Third Quarter, Penn 0, Harvard 7 Penn's Dave Kuncio pops up the kick off, and Harvard has good field position to start the second half. On first down, Pizzotti eludes defensive end Sam McGarity and dumps it off to Ho in the flat.
After no gain on the next play, Pizzotti rolls out to the right and finds a wide open Luft, bringing the Crimson down to the Penn 33.
Halftime Stats:
Walker: 5-14 for 54 yards. DiMaggio: 11 rushes for 38 yards.
Pizzotti: 7-18 for 91 yards and a touchdown. Ho: 3 rushes for 37 yards.
Total offense: Penn 117 yards, Harvard 139
Time of possession: Penn 19:29, Harvard 10:31
Punts: Penn 6, Harvard 6 (12 total)
End of Second Quarter A couple of passes to Tyler Fisher fall to the ground on first and second downs, and then a false start on third down. They give the ball to DiMaggio on third down, but Harvard calls a timeout to make Penn punt.
With just enough time to run one play from the Penn 43, Harvard goes to the air. It's almost hauled in by Iannuzzi on the two-yard line, but it falls incomplete and the clock runs out. Salient halftime questions: Is Sandberg seriously hurt? Can Walker get this offense up and running? And will Harvard start to really play like it's got an Ivy championship to lose?
0:38 Second Quarter, Penn 0, Harvard 7
A good break for the Quakers. A squib kick is fumbled by Jason Miran and recovered by the Crimson, but Dean Scaduto is called offsides on the kick for Harvard. Time to rekick. Phew. 0:43 Second Quarter, Penn 0, Harvard 7
And they're on the board, folks. With his 20-yard touchdown reception, Corey Mazza ties the record for career touchdown receptions (with 28). The PAT is good, and Penn may go into halftime down a score.
That scoring drive spanned 88 yards in just seven plays. 0:54 Second Quarter, Penn 0, Harvard 0
Pizzotti rumbles down to the 15 on second and one. But with the clock running, the Crimson get a false start, pushing them back to the 20 for a 1st and 15.
1:14 Second Quarter, Penn 0, Harvard 0
Oh no. A 23-yard pass over the middle to Mike Cook, and then a little swing pass to Ho gets the Crimson down inside the 20. It's second and one, let's see what the Penn D is made of.
1:40 Second Quarter, Penn 0, Harvard 0
Harvard, meet Tyson Maugle.
The cornerback comes off the edge on second down and rattles Pizzotti, who barely got the pass off.
2:05 Second Quarter, Penn 0, Harvard 0
Penn, meet Cheng Ho.
The tailback cuts it outside and runs for 40 yards to midfield. Big play for Harvard, and a huge lapse for what has been a staunch Quakers defense.
2:13 Second Quarter, Penn 0, Harvard 0
On third and 10, Walker throws a nice pass over the middle to Dan Coleman, but he can't quite haul it in. Would have been a great play by both receiver and quarterback, but now Melillo will have to boot it once more.
He kicks it down to the Harvard 10.
2:50 Second Quarter, Penn 0, Harvard 0
Walker hits tight end Josh Koontz in between the hash marks for a first down at the Penn 44. DiMaggio gets around three yards on the next play, and then is subsequently stuffed by a ferocious Crimson rush.
4:29 Second Quarter, Penn 0, Harvard 0
On second down, Pizzotti fumbles the snap, but Harvard retains possession. On third and 10, he misses wideout Matt Luft on a wobbly helicopter pass. Bring out the punt team.
6:04 Second Quarter, Penn 0, Harvard 0
Pizzotti hits tight end Jason Miller for the second first-down of the drive. Charles Baakel is seeing the majority of time at running back on this drive, and he's doing a pretty good job so far.
7:45 Second Quarter, Penn 0, Harvard 0
The punt goes for a net of 46 yards with no return. One interesting thing we noticed on the punt: McNally is in on special teams coverage. He was in there a couple of times last week, too. Makes you wonder if some kind of trick play is brewing in Coach Al Bagnoli's head.
8:00 Second Quarter, Penn 0, Harvard 0
The PA announcer does a great job of pronouncing "Amoo-Achampong," as backup running back Kelms Amoo-Achampong is in the game.
He runs for a short gain on first down, and coughs it up on second, but the refs rule he was down by contact.
The Quakers can't take advantage of the gift, and Walker is stuffed on third, and Melillo trots out yet again.
10:26 Quarter, Penn 0, Harvard 0
A generous spot gives Penn a first down after Walker and Lawrence hook up again. First and 10 from the Quakers 41.
11:43 Second Quarter, Penn 0, Harvard 0
Walker's back in the game. He scrambles and finds Marcus Lawrence for a 13-yard gain on first down.
11:51 Second Quarter, Penn 0, Harvard 0 Melillo's kick was nearly blocked, but it ends up taking a Penn bounce and the Crimson will take over around midfield.
A short pass Marco Iannuzzi, an incompletion and a sack by Naheem Harris and Joe Goniprow leads to third and long, and yet another three-and-out. Penn takes over on its own 18.
13:03 Second Quarter, Penn 0, Harvard 0
On 3rd and 15, Harvard LB Glenn Dorriss gets to McNally nearly untouched, but the Penn QB throws it away. Only problem is, no one's in the area, and McNally was still in the pocket. Intentional grounding, and Penn will punt from its own seven.
14:20 First Quarter, Penn 0, Harvard 0
Big scare for Penn. An end around to Lawrence is fumbled, and a Harvard defender nearly came up with it. It's 2nd and 15.
14:51 Second Quarter, Penn 0 Harvard 0
Greg Ambrogi is all over Lagace on third down, and the Crimson will have to punt it away. Looks like the Quakers will be starting out at their own 14 with McNally still under center.
End First Quarter, Penn, 0, Harvard 0
The Crimson pick up a first down after a 12-yard pass to Mazza, but are quickly dropped back five yards on a failed run by Cheng Ho.
0:53 First Quarter, Penn 0, Harvard 0
McNally rolled out on third down, but had no one open and threw it away. Anthony Melillo's punt goes for a net of 33 yards and Harvard takes over from its own 40.
2:30 First Quarter, Penn 0, Harvard 0
Good news for Penn--Sandberg is back in the game.
After running for a loss on first down and catching a pass for a gain of seven, the Quakers, now being quarterbacked by backup Brendan McNally, face third and five.
2:38 First Quarter Penn 0, Harvard 0
A couple of quick three-and-outs for both teams. A long heave to Mazza on the last play is broken up by Chriss Wynn.
Lawrence fields the punt on the bounce and Penn will start its drive from its own 23.
4:08 First Quarter, Penn 0, Harvard 0
After a false start on second down, the Crimson were faced with a third and seven. A deep pass from Pizzotti to Matt Lagace is caught, but ruled out of bounds.
The punt on fourth down from Thomas Hull is muffed by Penn returner Marcus Lawrence, who recovers the fumble.
6:01 First Quarter, Penn o, Harvard 0
Jeez. After Derham couldn't haul in a catch in the end zone and a couple of failed runs, Penn goes for a field goal. But Andrew Samson clanks it off the right upright from 31 yards out. The kick may have been tipped.
7:42 First Quarter, Penn 0, Harvard 0
With a Walker sneak, the Quakers get a first down and get to the 18. It's Penn's first red zone appearance since its game against Brown two weeks ago.
8:17 First Quarter, Penn 0, Harvard 0
The Quakers keep marching. Walker hit wideout Kyle Derham on the sideline for a first down on third and five. Penn gives it to DiMaggio on the following play and nearly picks up another first down. It's second and one on the 21.
9:33 First Quarter, Penn 0, Harvard 0
Walker hits Lepisto for a 14 yard gain on third down. On first down in Harvard territory, he misses Nick Cisler on a short pass. 10:07 First Quarter, Penn 0, Harvard 0
After being brought out of the game after the first play, Sandberg is still on the sideline for Penn. DiMaggio remains in the game, but QB Bryan Walker is doing most of the running right now, as he keeps two in a row and faces a third and seven on the Penn 40.
10:37, First Quarter, Penn 0, Harvard 0
After a failed rushes by wide receiver Matt Lagace and running back Cheng Ho, QB Chris Pizzotti is hurried on third down by Penn linebacker Jay Colabella. Pizzotti threw it away, and now the Crimson will punt.
The Quakers, however, have to burn a timeout because they only had ten men on the field.
11:26 First Quarter Penn 0, Harvard 0
Three straight runs by DiMaggio go nowhere, and a fourth-down screen pass to Nick Cisler falls to the ground. Harvard takes over on their own 29.
13:35, First Quarter, Penn 0, Harvard 0 Running back Michael DiMaggio runs for 14 yards on 3rd and long to pick up the first down for Penn on a well-executed draw play. Defensive back Tyler Fisher, who was in the game as a receiver, threw a nice block on the play.