Penn football struggling at the half, down 29-14 to Yale

Before the game on Saturday, Yale honored Penn football coach and Connecticut native Al Bagnoli in his last trip to the Yale Bowl.

But the Bulldogs weren’t feeling quite as festive about the Quakers once the game began.

Yale scored early and often, carrying a 29-14 lead into halftime against the Red and Blue. The Bulldogs’ attack was led by senior running back Tyler Varga and junior quarterback Morgan Roberts, who combined for Yale’s four touchdowns.

Meanwhile, Penn’s offense put up solid numbers as well, as sophomore quarterback Alek Torgersen went 16-for-23 for 196 yards and two touchdown passes to senior captain Conner Scott.

The Elis struck quickly. After a Penn three-and-out, Yale began in Quakers’ territory. On a fourth and one at Penn’s 22, Varga broke free and easily found pay dirt. A Yale two-point conversion made it 8-0 Elis.

Penn had an affinity for the big play, however, as Torgersen found Scott for a 41-yard gain. But Yale senior safety Connor Cook blocked a 31-yard field goal three plays later, before Bulldogs linebacker Matthew Oplinger returned the kick to Penn territory.

From there, Roberts and Varga drove the Bulldogs down the field and Roberts found Grant Wallace to beat Penn corner Kevin Ijoma for another touchdown.

Penn would answer with a TD pass from Torgersen to Scott, but the Bulldogs would immediately answer once again.

Varga reeled off a 22-yard run and Varga followed it with a 43-yard pass to Wallace to get deep into Quakers territory. From there, he threw to senior captain Deon Randall for another TD, making it, 22-7.

The Bulldogs would strike again soon after as Roberts hit backup running back Candler Rich on a wheel route for a 28-yard touchdown. Torgersen would answer with a pass to Scott, but the Quakers go into the half down by 15 after late drives for both teams stalled late.

On Penn’s final drive, Yale sophomore cornerback Spencer Rymiszewski was injured and carted off the field.

Yale ended the half with 346 yards of total offense as Roberts was near perfect, going 17-for-20 with 228 yards and three touchdowns. Meanwhile, Varga consistently bowled over Penn defenders, rushing for 85 yards on just 13 carries.

Follow the rest of the action here.

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