FINAL: Penn 15, Columbia 10

Andrew Scurria here for The Buzz. Thanks for joining me for today’s home game against Columbia. It’s a sparse crowd and a sparser press corps but the air is crisp and the game is there for the taking.

FINAL: Penn 15, Columbia 10

Under pressure, Kelly threw up a wild, wobbly pass into the arms of Penn defensive back Josh Powers. Irvin took a knee; game over.

Check back with us for lots more coverage in the next DP.

Good afternoon from The Buzz.

1:22 Fourth quarter: Penn 15, Columbia 10

They got the stop, but now the Lions will have to march all the way down the field -- 86 yards -- in under a minute and a half with no time outs. Warm up the bus.

2:24 Fourth quarter: Penn 15, Columbia 10

I must confess that I have no idea what just happened. On that crucial fourth down, Columbia committed a false start penalty -- and Wilson then decided not to go for it, but instead to punt it away and count on its defense to stop Penn right away. Either way, Columbia needs a stop -- if Penn gets a first down, game over.

2:37 Fourth quarter: Penn 15, Columbia 10

Columbia is running out of time and has to convert a fourth-and-13 to stay alive.

4:23 Fourth quarter: Penn 15, Columbia 10

Penn put together a great drive, and wideout Kyle Derham caught a pass on a slant route that would have brought the Quakers within field-goal range. But an illegal blocking penalty -- another one! -- pushed them back, and Olson punted yet again, and yet again Columbia will start a drive from inside the 10.

11:36 fourth quarter: Penn 15, Columbia 10

Columbia went three-and-out as well. Jon Rocholl punted from the Lions endzone, but the combination of a great kick and an illegal blocking penalty on Penn means that the Quakers start this drive at their 30.

12:40 fourth quarter: Penn 15, Columbia 10

Yawn. Another punt, another Columbia drive starting -- this one from their own 12. Let's see if either team can make this game remotely exciting.

0:26 Third quarter: Penn 15, Columbia 10

Wilson chooses not to go for it on fourth-and-the-length-of-a-fingernail, and karma punishes him with a short, offline punt. Penn will start at its 37. Robert Irvin is back in for Penn after almost a whole quarter with Kyle Olson under center.

4:24 Third quarter: Penn 15, Columbia 10

Penn almost put together a nice drive, but a 15-yard pass interference penalty on wideout David Wurst killed it. Another good punt from Olson follows, and Columbia will need 85 yards to take the lead.

7:57 Third quarter: Penn 15, Columbia 10

Once again, the Quakers couldn't make anything of the opportunity. Olson punted to inside the Lions' 20, and Columbia also then went three-and-out. And then... missed snap to the punter and.. SAFETY. What a day for Columbia so far. They outgain Penn two-to-one through two and a half quarters and have a 15-10 score and an embarassing safety to show for it.

11:44 Third quarter: Penn 13, Columbia 10

About the only thing keeping the Penn offense on the field is Shane Kelly. The Columbia quarterback just made another big mistake, underthrowing a long pass by at least six yards. It went right into the hands of Ertman, his second interception of the day. Norries Wilson, Columbia's coach, is giving Kelly a tongue-lashing as I write.

13:04 Third quarter: Penn 13, Columbia 10

After that terrible second quarter of offense, Bagnoli brought Olson, Penn's backup quarterback, in for the second half's first series. Result: another three-and-out. Olson then punted it to the Lions' 42.

Halftime Stats

First downs: Penn 3, Columbia 12. Rushing attempts-yards: Penn 16-23, Columbia 25-148. Passing yards: Penn 57, Columbia 65. Total yards: Penn 80, Columbia 213. Time of possession: Penn 12:04, Columbia 17:56.

Halftime: Penn 13, Columbia 10

A long attempt from Columbia backup quarterback M.A. Olawale falls short. Halftime.

1:10 Second quarter: Penn 13, Columbia 10

Now it's the Penn offense that is sputtering. A three-and-out forces Penn to punt, and Kyle Olson boots it to the Columbia 34. It would have been a great time for a fake, but I guess Al Bagnoli didn't want to take a chance still pretty deep in Penn territory.

2:09 Second quarter: Penn 13, Columbia 10

Kelly found Knowlin, who beat Penn's Jonathan Saelinger on the single coverage, for a six-yard touchdown pass. Nine plays and 67 yards on that drive for Columbia. Mildly impressive.

2:21 Second quarter: Penn 13, Columbia 3

Columbia's running game has suddenly come alive as the first half draws to a close. They've gone nearly the length of the field and will try to punch in a touchdown from the Penn 14 when the teams come back. Penn just took its final time-out.

8:51 Second quarter: Penn 13, Columbia 3

Penn's Bradford Blackman punched it in from a yard out on third down and Samson converted the PAT, giving the Quakers a 10-point lead. It's Blackman's first touchdown of the year.

10:10 Second quarter: Penn 6, Columbia 3

The Lions tried to run and option and Kelly pitched the ball to sophomore running back Zach Kourouma -- but Kourouma missed the ball, and Ertman (him again!) picked up the ball and returned it to the two-yard line. Penn could go up by two scores in a hurry if they convert. Terribly costly mistake for Columbia.

10:51 Second quarter: Penn 6, Columbia 3

All Penn got out of that opportunity was a 31-yard field goal, but it's a lead at least. Andrew Samson is looking good.

12:04 Second quarter: Penn 3, Columbia 3

How do I even explain what just happened? Columbia was inside its own 20, facing a second-and-14, when Kelly took the snap, turned around and ran comically headlong into a teammate he didn't know was there. The ball popped loose and now the Quakers take over at the Columbia 18.

1:56 First quarter: Penn 3, Columbia 3

The score may be tied, but Columbia's offense is not looking so hot. They have no running game whatsoever and were forced to punt after getting 12 yards into Penn territory. It went long for a touchback and Penn takes over.

1:56 First quarter: Penn 3, Columbia 3

4:49 First quarter: Penn 3, Columbia 3

Penn got the Lions' 48 on their last drive and decided to go for it on fourth-and-2. but Robert Irvin bobbled the snap, and Columbia recovered the fumble. They now take over.

6:56 First quarter: Penn 3, Columbia 3

Ertman came up with another big play -- a batted-down pass intended for Columbia's best receiver, Austin Knowlin -- and the Lions were forced to settle for a field goal. Jon Rocholl booted a line drive through from 36 away. Eight plays, 42 yards, 3:39 elapsed on that drive.

9:40 First quarter: Penn 3, Columbia 0

Penn got a 37-yard field goal by Andrew Samson out of the last drive. Now it's Columbia's turn, and it's putting together a good drive too. Kelly just completed a long pass to Taylor Joseph to the Penn 39.

12:42 First quarter: Penn 0, Columbia 0

Columbia received the opening kickoff and started with good field position, but Lions quarterback Shane Kelly threw an interception to Penn’s Britton Ertman (a terrible interception) on the second play from scrimmage. Ertman returned it 40 yards to the Columbia 30, where Penn is driving now.