Big Plays by Columbia Down Penn

Explosions on Offense by Columbia the Difference in 23 – 14 Win Over Penn

October 16, 2021 –

The University of Pennsylvania went to New York for a game with Columbia, both seeking their first Ivy League win of the year. Big plays by Columbia and a career-high 187 rushing yards by Lions running back Dante Miller propelled the Lions to a 23 – 14 win. This was the 100th meeting between the schools. Columbia has won 25 and the third consecutive for Coach Al Bagnoli who once led the Quakers.

With the Red and Blue leading 7 – 3 in the second quarter a 75-yard touchdown run by Miller up the left sideline gave the lead back to Columbia. The Lions got possession of the ball again after a punt, and scored on another big play. Wide receiver Wills Meyer hauled in a pass from quarterback Joe Green and ran 41-yards up the left sideline for a touchdown and a 17 – 7 lead.

Just before halftime the Quakers generated some offense and a big play of their own going on an 8-play 75-yard drive in just over a minute. Running back Isaiah Malcome finished the drive going 30-yards on a draw play to cut the deficit to 17 – 14 at halftime.

In the second half the Quakers fell victim to another big gain. From their 20-yard line on the first play Green found wide Ernes Robertson for a 49-yard gain setting the offense in Penn territory. The Quakers defense stiffened forcing a 31-yard field goal attempt by Alex Felkins that was good. Columbia added a 20-yard field goal by Felkins with 2:53 to play giving his team a two-score lead. The scoring drive was set up by a 41-yard run by Miller from the Penn 48 to the 7-yard line.

The other touchdown for the Red and Blue came in the second quarter. The Quakers line backer Luke Hoggard recovered a punt fumbled by returner Mike Roussos at the Lions 30. Quarterback Marcus McDaniel ran the ball in from 5-yards out that gave Penn their only lead of the day at 7 – 3 with 4:10 remaining in the second quarter.

Columbia amassed 426 yards of offense, getting 244 on the ground, the most given up by the Red and Blue this season. Dartmouth ran for 240 in the meeting with Penn earlier this season. Miller ran for 136 yards last week against Central Connecticut State.

Penn rushed for 184 yards led by Malcome with 83 yards. Running back Trey Flowers ran for 42 yards. Wildcat quarterback McDaniel ran 7 times for 32 yards. But in the air quarterback John Quinnelly completed 6 of 25 for 83 yards. The Quakers punted 9 times and converted 4 of 15 on third down. They missed twice on 4th down conversions. Penn was held scoreless in the second half

Linebacker Garrett Morris led the Quakers defense with 9 tackles. Defensive back Jaden Key made 8 stops. Lions linebacker Scott Valentas had a game-high 12 total tackles.

Columbia improves to 4 – 1 and have an even 1 – 1 record in the Ancient Eight.

Penn falls to 2 – 3 on the season and seeks their first Ivy League win next week at Yale.

Boxscore

Written By: Glenn Papazian

Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*