Penn 31, Princeton 21 — Walker Carnathan and Vivian Yao, Sports Editors
It's 'Puck Frinceton' week, and even though the dreams of an Ivy title won't be coming true this year, there is still plenty to play for in the season closer.
In our time covering the Penn football team, we have never been able to get sophomore running back Malachi Hosley to talk smack about any team. So, to get him — on the record — saying that he is excited to play the villain in this year's matchup with the Tigers should be more than enough to indicate where this Penn team's mindset is at. Expect the team to come out amped as it seeks to send its 30 seniors out on a high note.
Last year, junior wide receivers Jared Richardson and Bisi Owens both had career days with Richardson logging a career high three touchdown receptions and Owens setting his then career-high in yards. That was with senior quarterback Aidan Sayin slinging the ball under center. In this year's match-up, it'll be junior quarterback Liam O'Brien in the injured Sayin's stead. In addition to practicing on the freshman squad together during their rookie season, the trio are also roommates. Their chemistry has already shown in O'Brien's three starts this year and we expect it to continue to shine against Princeton.
The deadly combination of Richardson and Owens at the receiving end of the ball will be a pick your poison dilemma for a Tigers defense that has struggled all season. And if they lock down those two, then the Tigers will open themselves up to Hosley — who is coming off three straight 100+ yardage games — and O'Brien on the ground. The Quakers should wrap their season up with a win, and it shouldn't be close.
Penn 42, Princeton 28 — Valeri Guevarra, Sports Associate
Redemption is in reach for Penn football. After a heartbreaking loss at Homecoming, O’Brian and company have a big opportunity to end this season on a high note this weekend. Princeton’s inability to make major plays will be the Red and Blue’s key to victory. Princeton quarterback Blaine Hipa completes just 55.1% of his passes — last in the Ivy League — and has been intercepted 13 times this season. Princeton’s defense is not much stronger, giving up an average of 32.8 points per game, which will allow O’Brien and his synergy with his receivers to shine, hopefully resembling the Red and Blue’s commanding victory over Brown and Cornell.
Penn 38, Princeton 14 — Justin Lee and Sonal Sukhatme, Sports Reporters
Keeping up with the spirit of Liamsanity, it’s now O’Brien’s time to shine. O’Brien scored four touchdowns against Harvard last week, and seven against Cornell in a historic game two weeks ago. Hosley racked up over 1,000 rushing yards on the season last week against Harvard’s steadfast defense. Hosley, backed by O’Brien, will pack a strong one-two punch against a Princeton defense that has led the Tigers to five Ivy League losses. The Tigers will put up a few scores, but against an offense helmed by O’Brien, there’s no chance they will outpace the Quakers.
Penn 35, Princeton 31 — Ben Binday, News Editor
O’Brien — a revelation for the Quakers this season — recently told The Daily Pennsylvanian that “We don't like Princeton. They don't like us.”
This season, though, the football gods have clearly liked neither the Quakers nor the Tigers. While O’Brien has the chance to lead Penn to a 0.500 record on the season — one which would still constitute an underperforming of the team’s preseason goals — Princeton is already consigned to a last-place finish in the Ancient Eight. The game will comprise a surmountable force facing a moveable object, as Princeton's lackluster offense will be tasked with scoring against the Quakers' leaky defense — one which has allowed their opponents to score 30 points in their last four contests and is more akin to a curtain made of feathers than one made of steel.
O'Brien, and Hosley will lead the Quakers' seniors to a victory in their final game adorning the red and blue and spoil the Tigers' senior night in a high-scoring contest. Though this season has been far from perfect for the Quakers, coach Ray Priore will have a wry smile at the post-game press conference after avoiding his second losing season in nine years in Philadelphia.
Penn 31, Princeton 21 — Emily Scolnick, City Desk Editor
Coming off a devastating loss to Harvard on Homecoming weekend, the Quakers will bounce back and take down the Tigers on their home field this weekend. Penn should have no issue defeating Princeton — currently at the bottom of the Ivy League standings — and ending a dramatic season on a high note. O’Brien has proven himself to be an offensive machine, and Princeton’s defense will be no match for him and his chemistry with Hosley and Richardson. Penn’s offense should look to capitalize on Princeton’s rocky defensive front, and the defense will be out for revenge after a faltering performance against the Crimson last week. Although it’s a rivalry game (even within my family!), Penn fans should breathe easy knowing that the Tigers won’t be roaring too loudly on Saturday and will end the season by evening their overall record and giving the seniors a suitable sendoff.
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