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at Cornell
11/9/2024 | 1:00 PM
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Nov. 09 (Sat) / 1:00 PM
at Cornell
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The University of Pennsylvania football team made things interesting in the final minutes of Saturday’s exciting matchup against Brown. The Quakers, demonstrating resilience, made the crucial plays they needed to secure a hard-fought 38-28 victory as they emerged from Brown Stadium, a historic venue for Ivy League clashes.
The Red and Blue held a commanding 24-point lead with just nine minutes remaining in the intense game, but the Bears rallied impressively, closing the gap to within 10 points and threatening to convert a critical two-point play with only 3:13 left on the clock. However, Brown’s effort fell short—one of two failed two-point attempts in the fourth quarter—and Penn’s diligent offense maintained their composure, securing the first down necessary to seal the game.
By clinching this victory, Penn improved its season record to 3-4 overall, while also securing their inaugural win in Ivy League competition, placing them at 1-3 in the conference. On the flip side, Brown now stands at 3-4 overall, with a record of 2-2 within the league.
Quaker Notemeal
*Junior Liam O’Brien made his first-career start at quarterback for Penn, exhibiting poise and skill as he completed 18 of 24 passes for an impressive 247 yards and two touchdowns. Additionally, he showcased his versatility with 60 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.
*Malachi Hosley recorded his fourth 100-rushing yard game of the season, carrying the ball 17 times for 102 yards and a pair of touchdowns—he has now scored two TDs in three separate games this season, proving to be a significant offensive asset.
*With 735 rushing yards accumulated through just seven games, Hosley has bested his total rushing yards from the 2023 campaign by 12 yards (723) and has matched his touchdown total of seven, emphasizing his continued development as a premier back.
*Jared Richardson finally returned to form against Brown, catching seven passes for 113 yards and a touchdown. This marks his first 100-yard receiving game of the year, after previously totaling four such games during the 2023 season.
*Bisi Owens contributed six receptions, netting 89 yards, while Justin Cayenne ended a long scoring drought, netting his first touchdown since October 8, 2022, at Georgetown.
*John Lista spearheaded the Penn defense with a total of 12 tackles (11 solos) and a critical sack resulting in a four-yard loss. The Red and Blue collectively tallied four tackles for loss (TFLs), with contributions from teammates Jack Fairman, Kadari Machen, and Shiloh Means.
*Means further made an impact with a team-high two pass breakups, complemented by Fairman and David McMorris, who each added another breakup.
*Jacob Cisneros was credited with a punt block, marking the Quakers’ second of the season, while Cole Olsztyn expertly recovered the ball.
*Despite the final score, Brown demonstrated offensive prowess by out-gaining Penn 441-419 in total yardage, holding the edge in passing yards (293 to 247). Remarkably, neither team recorded an interception during the contest.
*The time of possession remained exceptionally close, with the Bears controlling the ball for 30:01, just edging out the Quakers’ 29:59.
*Albert Jang excelled in special teams, averaging an impressive 45.7 yards per punt across three attempts, with one of those booming 50 yards.
*With the victory, Penn has improved its all-time series record against Brown to 64-26-2. This achievement marks the 92nd meeting between the two historic rivals and ends a two-game losing streak against the Bears since their last meeting in 2021, while also securing the Quakers’ first win in Providence since 2018.
How It Happened
It appeared as if Penn might catch an early break when Samuel Baddoo mishandled Albert Jang’s punt, allowing Jayden Drayton to recover the ball deep in Bears territory. Malachi Hosley initiated the following drive with a solid 15-yard rush, advancing down to Brown’s 24-yard line. However, Penn’s momentum stalled, resulting in Sam Smith facing a challenging 42-yard field goal attempt that fell just shy to the left.
The defense quickly responded by forcing a three-and-out, leading to a more successful drive for the Quakers. Skillfully blending run plays and passes under the direction of Liam O’Brien, Penn orchestrated a 67-yard drive that culminated in a touchdown. A pivotal moment occurred on a crucial third-and-4 at the edge of the midfield, where O’Brien demonstrated his playmaking ability, rolling to his right and delivering an exceptional pass to Bisi Owens, who caught the ball on a second-effort opportunity before stepping out of bounds. After a review, the catch was ruled valid, and just two plays later, Jared Richardson showcased his receiving prowess by catching a 10-yard touchdown pass from O’Brien deep in the left corner of the end zone.
After Richardson’s touchdown catch, he was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct, pushing the kickoff back by ten yards. Brown seized this opportunity, returning the kickoff nearly to midfield but once again failed to convert on their next opportunity, as Penn maintained its 7-0 lead after the first quarter.
Brown managed to tie things up on its opening drive in the second quarter, navigating an efficient 11-play, 69-yard drive. The Bears capitalized on a Penn penalty, resulting in a defensive offsides on a fourth-down play. This set up Jake Willcox, who connected with Mark Mahoney for a 31-yard touchdown catch, leveling the score.
Brown’s next drive hit a snag in its own territory, but the Quakers took advantage of this, as Jacob Cisneros blocked a Brown punt attempt. Cole Olsztyn was there to recover the blocked kick at Bruno’s 25-yard line. This set the stage for Malachi Hosley, who powered his way through the right side of the line for a touchdown, putting Penn ahead 14-7.
As the first half neared its conclusion, the Quakers expanded their lead significantly with a strong 10-play drive that covered 70 yards in just over three minutes. O’Brien demonstrated both determination and skill on the final two plays, initially making a remarkable second effort to gain a one-yard rush that secured a first down at the 10, before powering through for a touchdown with just 26 seconds remaining in the half, shaking off multiple tacklers along the way.
With a comfortable 21-7 advantage at halftime, Penn returned to the field and quickly extended their lead early in the second half. The Quakers needed fewer than two minutes to embark on a swift scoring drive. The second play of this five-play, 72-yard march featured a dynamic 18-yard run from Hosley into Brown territory, aided by a facemask penalty against the Bears. O’Brien linked up with Owens for a 21-yard completion on the following play, setting up Hosley’s second touchdown from 11 yards out behind his aggressive Wildcat formation.
In response, Brown desperately sought a lift and managed to execute an 11-play drive that concluded in the end zone, with Qwentin Brown rushing in from one yard out as part of an effective “Kodiak” formation.
Not deterred, Penn continued to respond on their ensuing drive, advancing all the way to Brown’s 8-yard line. However, the Quakers faced resistance, and a reverse to Drayton lost yardage, ultimately forcing Sam Smith to attempt a 30-yard field goal that he successfully converted, bringing the score to 31-14. Critical gains came from O’Brien’s connections with Owens and Joshua Casilli, propelling Penn closer to scoring territory.
Yet again, Brown fought back, and while it initially seemed they had scored another touchdown, a penalty for offensive pass interference thwarted their efforts. Instead, they were forced to kick a 42-yard field goal that missed to the left, keeping Penn in the lead as the game moved into the final quarter.
With a 17-point cushion, Penn controlled the ball and subsequently extended their advantage. A challenging nine-play drive consumed over four minutes and culminated in O’Brien finding Justin Cayenne in the center for a 15-yard touchdown. Richardson proved pivotal once again, making two key receptions earlier in the drive that helped maintain momentum.
However, in a twist, the game dramatically changed when Brown mounted a response after trailing by 24 points. In less than two and a half minutes, they executed an efficient scoring drive, capped off by a touchdown run from Matt Childs. Yet again, the two-point conversion was unsuccessful, marking the scoreboard at 38-20.
Penn’s struggles continued when Julien Stokes fumbled the ensuing kickoff, gifting the Bears a prime opportunity deep in Quaker territory. After incurring a false start, a brief mishap ensued, resulting in O’Brien being sacked in the end zone for a safety, closing the gap to 38-22 and reigniting the contest with 7:37 left on the clock.
Brown, after recovering Jang’s subsequent kickoff, charged down the field once more to score, with Willcox finding Solomon Miller for a decisive touchdown on fourth down from the 3-yard line. Once again, the Bears attempted a two-point conversion, but Willcox’s pass fell incomplete, leaving the score at 38-28.
With only 3:13 remaining, Brown executed an onside kick that unfortunately went out of bounds, giving Penn possession at their own 45-yard line. Following a delay of game penalty against the Quakers, Hosley took charge, successfully securing a first down on three consecutive rushes, which ultimately allowed Penn to run out the clock and claim their hard-fought victory.
Up Next
Penn is back on the road next Saturday, taking on Cornell in the highly anticipated 130th meeting—the fifth-most played rivalry in Division I football—between the two teams, set to kick off at 1 p.m. in Ithaca, N.Y.
For the latest on Penn football, follow @PennFB on X (formerly Twitter), @PennFootball on Instagram, and on the web at PennAthletics.com.
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Nine minutes, the Bears orchestrated two quick scoring drives, reducing the lead to just 10 points. Their second touchdown came from Qwentin Brown, who punched the ball in from a yard out, capping off a rapid series of plays that revitalized their hopes.
With just over three minutes remaining, Brown attempted a two-point conversion to bring the score even closer but fell short, thanks to Penn’s stout defense. After regaining possession, the Quakers were faced with critical third-down situations that could either seal their victory or put their lead in jeopardy. However, O’Brien and the offense executed flawlessly, converting on key plays and draining the clock.
As time dwindled, the pressure mounted on both sides. Brown pushed hard for one final score, but the Penn defense, led by Lista and his mitigating tackles, ensured the Quakers maintained their composure under pressure. Ultimately, they secured the win with a well-managed final possession, allowing them to escape Brown Stadium with a hard-fought 38-28 victory.
With this victory, the Quakers demonstrated their character and resilience, indicating that they are ready to tackle future challenges as they head into the remainder of their Ivy League schedule. The win not only marked a pivotal moment in the season but also revitalized the Quakers’ confidence as they prepare to face Cornell in their next matchup on November 9, 2024.
