Senior linebacker Jake Heimlicher goes to tackle a Columbia wide receiver during the game on Oct. 16. Design by Caleb Crain and Photo by Nicholas Fernandez.
Credit: Caleb CrainAfter going on a two-game losing streak against Columbia and Yale, Penn football was finally able to muster a win against Brown with a score of 45-17. A key player for the Quakers was senior linebacker Jake Heimlicher.
Heimlicher contributed to the Quakers’ strong defense this past Saturday, which only allowed 17 points. The Quakers (3-4, 1-3 Ivy) took down the Bears (2-5, 1-3).
Heimlicher notched a career-high three sacks, all in the first half, out of a season-high eight total for the Quakers.
His first sack was during the first quarter when he sacked Brown’s veteran quarterback EJ Perry for a loss of seven yards. Heimlicher’s next two sacks were both in the second quarter and were crucial plays in minimizing points.
After Penn senior Garrett Morris intercepted a pass by Perry and returned it for a touchdown, the next Brown drive returned to Penn territory. Heimlicher's sack forced a fourth and 18 for the Bears, who had to settle for a field goal.
His final sack of the day was at the end of the second quarter, and it was integral to ending the Bears' drive. With Brown again driving in Penn territory, Heimlicher sacked Perry for a loss of 11 yards, leading to the Bears once again settling for a field goal from the Penn 36. This time, however, the Quakers were able to block the kick and recover the ball.
With these crucial plays by Heimlicher, the Quakers' defense kept the Bears at bay and the Red and Blue led by the end of the first half, with a score of 31-10.
Penn continued to dominate the rest of the game both on the offense and defense, scoring two more touchdowns and allowing only one to end the game with a score of 45-17.
In the season, Heimlicher has six total sacks through the seven games he has played and he is currently second in the Ivy League in tackles-for-loss with 10.5 total.
Additionally, he was also named one of the Defensive Players of the Week by Penn Football.
Penn will face Cornell at Franklin Field for Homecoming at 1 p.m. this Saturday for a chance to continue its two-game winning streak at home.
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