Rask had a stellar season for the Quakers, recording a team-high 83 total tackles. He also led Penn in passes defended, with eight on the season.

After capturing two consecutive Ivy League titles, expectations for the 2011 Quakers were sky high. But as the twin pillars of Penn football — defense and rushing — deteriorated, so too did the team’s chances for a title.

In a shootout at Franklin Field Saturday, Cornell notched its first victory over Penn football since 2006, winning the season finale, 48-38.

Four years. Four losses. The 19 outgoing seniors on the Penn football team have won 23 Ivy League games and lost just four in their time wearing the Red and Blue. They will strive to win one more game in a Penn uniform when they take on Cornell this Saturday at Franklin Field.

In the first quarter, I saw two championship teams. In the second quarter — and third and fourth, as well — I only saw one.

The Harvard Crimson captured the Ivy League championship Saturday afternoon with a 37-20 rout of Penn. MEGAN SOISSON: Harvard deserves all the credit for championship effortTHE BUZZ: Guest blog from 2011 football alum Bradford BlackmonTHE BUZZ: Harvard: The Good, Bad and Ugly

It may be the penultimate game of the 2011 campaign, but this Saturday’s contest at Harvard is definitely the culmination of the Ivy League season for the Penn football team. LIVEBLOG: Penn football vs. Harvard

The Nawrocki brothers’ parents “discouraged” them from watching pro wrestling, Penn senior Luke recalls, but the boys always found ways around it. Soon enough, the whole family watched as Chris tried out for the WWE on the “Tough Enough” reality show.

The defense — the last piece of the puzzle — has fallen into place just in time. Harvard is on the horizon and a title lays in the balance.

In football, as in life, timing is everything. At no point was this more evident than in the first quarter of Penn’s 37-9 victory over Princeton Saturday at Franklin Field.

The late-game heroics that have kept Penn in contention for a share of the Ivy League title came a little bit earlier against the Tigers. THE BUZZ: The Good, Bad and Ugly from Penn-PrincetonELI COHEN: Defense steps up just in time

Penn football legend Adolph “Beep Beep” Bellizeare may have been known for his fancy footwork on the field, but his rushing yards are far from his greatest legacy at Penn.

With three teams tied for second place in the conference, the Red and Blue have to win out to secure at least a share of the rings.

Playing football with the same group of guys for four years has a funny way of strengthening camaraderie. For three Class of 2012 Quakers, the ties go back even further.

NFL veteran Roy Hilton has been teaching his grandson Brandon Copeland about the game since his grandson picked up a football in fifth grade.

Penn and Brown’s mudbowl in Providence, R.I., wasn’t the only football game affected by Saturday’s storm.

The official box score reads, “Temperature: 47, Wind: 10-15, Weather: rainy, cold.” If that told the whole story, the 2011 Quakers would still be undefeated in the Ivy League.