Penn football's game against Villanova started at 3:00 PM but it looks like the Quakers never quite woke up.
The Wildcats, the No. 6 ranked squad in FCS football, scored in just over two minutes and didn't let up for the rest of the first half, putting the Red and Blue in a 41-7 hole and on the verge of a six-game losing streak dating back to last season.
Redshirt-junior quarterback John Robertson has led the charge for Villanova, throwing four touchdowns in the first half, completing 15-of-21 and 230 yards while adding over 50 yards on the ground.
It took him just six plays to bring the Wildcats 75 yards on their first drive, culminating in a 35-yard touchdown pass to senior tight end Earnest Pettway.
Penn looked like it would respond right away as it took quarterback Alek Torgersen two plays to bring Penn all the way to the edge of Villanova's redzone, completing quick passes to seniors Ryan O'Malley and Conner Scott. But the sophomore QB undid his good work in one play, throwing an interception.
Nova was able to take the ball from the one yard line after the INT and drive 99 yards in 13 plays. Robertson was more methodical on the drive, relying on his own legs and a few short passes to find the endzone. A 9-yard TD to senior Poppy Livers made it 14-0.
Just a few plays later, junior running back Gary Underwood took off for a 54-yard rush and a touchdown, making it a 21-0 blowout.
Yet it got worse in the second quarter.
After another Penn punt, Nova put together a quick two-play drive where the Wildcats went 78 yards in just 48 seconds. Robertson threw for a 66-yard TD to Kevin Gulyas, who had over 100 yards receiving in the half, and the game was 34-0.
Penn got a score back quickly, as senior running back Kyle Wilcox broke off a 67-yard run for Penn's first score, avoiding the Red and Blue's first shutout at home in the Bagnoli era.
But Villanova just wouldn't stop. After the Red and Blue forced a punt, junior lineback Don Cherry sacked Torgersen and forced a fumble, recovering it in Penn territory. From there, Nova scored another TD, as Underwood ran 14 yards for his second score.
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