Amy Potter: Sloppy contest not typical of series

To say that it's not what you'd expect from a Brown football team would be an understatement.

Penn's 31-7 drubbing of the Bears on Saturday afternoon at Franklin Field exposed a weak and and talentless Brown squad.

Last season, the Bears put up a fight when the Quakers -- then undefeated in the Ivy League -- stormed into Providence, R.I., on the hunt for an Ivy League title. Although Brown lost, 27-14, the game was interesting and even, at times, close.

Two years ago, Brown and Penn faced off at Franklin Field for the comeback game of the season. With five minutes left to play, Quakers' fans streamed out of the stadium as their home team was down, 38-20. It was a decision that many would regret.

The Quakers charged back in the final five minutes and, with the help of junior quarterback Gavin Hoffman, scored three touchdowns to claim the victory.

Having watched Brown over the past three years, I was suspect heading into Saturday afternoon's game. I wasn't convinced that the Bears would roll over easily. They'd proven themsevles in past years to be fighters. If the Quakers hoped to keep their undefeated Ivy League record, I was expecting them to have to play a well-rounded, solid game.

But there was no spark in the Bears' offense and their defense was entirely ineffective against Penn's Mitchell and the Quakers' running game.

Chas Gessner, the Bears' star wide receiver who has dominated the Ivy League over the past four years, was a non-factor.

Brown's scattered and underdeveloped offensive scheme forced more experienced players -- such as Gessner -- to play out of position. Gessner, the wide receiver, had three carries on the day for a total of 15 yards. He had nine catches for 76 yards.

The Bears' greatest asset on Saturday was not a component of their own game.

Instead, Brown benefited from the overall sloppy play that occured on Franklin Field.

The game wasn't painful to watch because Brown wasn't any good, it was painful because Penn dropped down to the level of its undermatched competitors.

Late in the second half, Penn drove the ball down the field. DeSmedt carried the ball on second down on the Brown 28-yard line, drove up the middle and promptly fumbled.

Brown recovered the ball and on the very next play -- a Nathan Poole rush -- Penn's Travis Belden came out with a vengence, stripping the ball right back and forcing the second fumble in two plays. The Quakers' recovered the fumble and regained possession.

And then, as if that wasn't enough, on the very next play, Penn lost it again, but Stephen Faulk recovered his own fumble.

Three fumbles in three plays. It was ugly. It was like watching a high school football game, only worse.

Although the Quakers were able to pull off the win, it was not in true Penn form.

With seven fumbles on the day, the Quakers were lucky that their opponent was no one more formidable.

In coming weeks, with the Ivy title on the line, Penn will not be allowed to make such mistakes. Against Princeton and Harvard, to be exact, that number of turnovers will not go unnoticed.

Although Brown was unable to capitalize on Penn's turnovers, the Tigers and the Crimson will be able to.

Saturday's was a sloppy game that Penn should be thankful is over.

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