PHILADELPHIA, PA. 10/23/2015 – The two teams were statistically even, so it meant that big plays and players who made them would be the difference. The University of Pennsylvania got more on both sides of the ball, and earned a 34 – 20 win over the Yale Bulldogs in a nationally televised game at Franklin Field.
“We have to play good team football,” said Penn Coach Ray Priore. “In good team football one helps the other in situations. They drive and we get a great pick in the endzone. They get a punt return and we get a stop. We have muff a kickoff then go 97 yards for a touchdown. Those things are tremendous.”
The Quakers held a 20 – 13 lead starting the second half. Yale drove to the 10 yard line of Penn, but the defense held when safety Ian Dobbins intercepted a pass in the endzone. On the ensuing possession Jason Alessi returned a punt to the 12 yard line of the Red and Blue, but four plays later Bulldogs quarterback Morgan Roberts was picked off in the endzone by linebacker Dylan Muscat.
“For us the tale of the game was turnovers,” said Yale Coach Tony Reno. “We had opportunities we did not score on. You can’t win an Ivy League game when you turn the ball over so many times in the red zone. We came away with nothing and Penn came away with momentum.”
Capitalizing on the break the Quakers would score as Torgersen found Pearson for 27 yard Touchdown pass. It was the fourth scoring toss of the game by Torgersen, the second to Pearson who caught 6 passes for 133 yards.
The Eli crossed the goal line on a 6-yard touchdown run by back Austin Reuland to cut the deficit to 27 – 20. Penn could not control the deep kick and was fortunate to recover the ball at their own 3 yard line. As the fourth quarter began the Quakers would take control of the game with a 12 play, 97 yard drive taking 6:57 capped by a 28 yard touchdown run by running back Tre Solomon.
Each time the Red and Blue showed the resiliency necessary to keep the lead.
“They are going to get up on you,” said Priore. “It’s poise and control. We get down, it’s poise, take the next play. We’ll get back.”
Torgersen completed 25 of 35 passes for 350 yards and 4 touchdowns. Solomon registered his first 100 yard rushing game with 18 carries for 120 yards.
For Yale (4 – 2, 1 – 2) Roberts completed 25 of 46 passes for 318 yards and a score. However he was picked off three times. Wide Receiver Robert Clemons III caught 6 passes for 99 yards and a touchdown.
Penn improves to 3 – 3 on the season and is 2 – 1 in the Ivy League. The Quakers stay just behind the league leaders Dartmouth and Harvard. They have won 11 of the last 12 games at Franklin Field, and the last four in a row. This one was in front of a national audience. Quite a show-piece for the Red and Blue.
“To get a win is a great feeling, but to do it on national television, it’s heightened,” said Drake. “It gave people a chance to see what Penn can do.”
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com
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