High stakes and even higher hopes for Penn football (4-4, 2-3 Ivy) as they prepare to meet Harvard (7-1, 4-1 Ivy), currently first in the Ivy league, on Saturday.
Not only does the game have implications for the Ivy title, but it also serves as a rematch of last year’s devastating loss, where Penn lost in triple overtime to the Crimson.
After being down at halftime, the Quakers put up a strong comeback to tie the game at 20-20. In the first round of overtime, both teams scored field goals, taking it to a second round of OT, where neither team was able to convert. Finally, after an incomplete pass from senior quarterback Sayin, Harvard was able to score, taking the final tally to 25-23. The loss stung, as it ended Penn’s hopes at the Ivy title, but on Saturday comes a shot at redemption.
Penn is coming into the matchup with lots of momentum after last weekend’s historic game against Cornell, where the Quakers put up a total of 67 points, their highest score since the Ivy League began. Junior quarterback Liam O’Brien threw a program-record six touchdown passes, and with one rushing touchdown, secured the record for most touchdowns responsible for in Penn program history. Keep in mind, it was only O’Brien’s second ever start in college football.
Despite the spotlight from “Liam-sanity”, O’Brien commented that “records and all, expectations are the same” and that he’s holding himself to the same standard as he did before: “to lead this offense, make sure everyone has fun, and get the playmaker the ball.”
Harvard has been looking strong all season, having only lost to Brown thus far. Their defense has been particularly strong, with sophomore DB Austin-Jake Guillory and junior safety Ty Bartrum being named Ivy League Defensive Player of the Week for the last two weeks.
However, the Quakers are focused on themselves, with junior wide receiver Jared Richardson saying, “We’re not worried about that; we’re worried about what we can control in our circle, but they do have a great defense” and O’Brien adding, “Respect has to be given; they do have a very solid defense, but on the same note, we put up 67 points, so if they’re not shaken a little bit, they’re overlooking us.”
For Penn’s defense, the goal is to work on the last-minute communication on the field, hopefully preventing the Crimson from getting past them. Last weekend, Cornell put up 49 points, a number a bit too high for comfort.
Senior center Shiloh Means noted that it comes down to “that last level of communication, making sure we’re good with the checks … focusing all the way through the play will help us.”
Piling onto the excitement, it’s Homecoming week for Penn as well as the last home game of the season. With alumni present and a strong student turnout, it adds an emotional tang to the matchup.
Reflecting on his last game at Franklin Field, Means said, “It comes up quick definitely. … I feel good, I feel ready, but I don’t think sadness is in there. I’m just happy that I get to play out here again.”
“It's great. We talk all the time about tradition, the program," said Coach Priore. “You’re the ones passing forward this great tradition, so you represent everybody that played before you.”
All eyes will be on Franklin Field on Saturday, 1 p.m. to see if the Penn Quakers can pull through another win against the Harvard Crimson.
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