The Quakers Defeat the Red Foxes 28 – 9 Under Friday Night Lights
PHILADELPHIA, PA 10/10/2025 –
The University of Pennsylvania football team mantra is to win the day, each day. That goal was achieved at Franklin Field 28 – 9 over the Marist Red Foxes at Franklin Field. It was the first ever meeting between the teams. The offense was led by the tandem of quarterback Liam O’Brien and wide receiver Jared Richardson. O’Brien ran for a touchdown and threw two scoring passes to Richardson. Adding the good play of the defense it allowed the Red and Blue to overcome inopportune penalties in getting the win.
“Great performances by Liam (O’Brien) and Jared (Richardson), and what those guys are able to do is pretty special,” said Penn Coach Ray Priore.
“In each series, at points in time, someone different was not in synch, not showing the right discipline. My biggest this was getting into the red zone and converting those into touchdowns, not field goals.”
It was a big night for Richardson who caught 15 passes for 190 yards, one-yard short of his career-high. He was targeted 19 times by O’Brien who completed 26 of 40 passes for a season-high 335 yards, six yards of his collegiate-best. He added 25 rushing yards.
“The credit goes to Coach Chimera and Liam O’Brien,” said Richardson. “Him (O’Brien) just doing his job and the offensive linemen. It takes all eleven. So, I’m blessed to be in a position. I’m just doing my job as best as I can.”
The important part aspect was that the offense was efficient scoring touchdowns twice in the red-zone and twice one yard out of the zone.
Running back Julien Stokes scored the final touchdown on a one-yard rush.
Defense Answers the Call
The Penn defense kept Marist under their average in total offense. The Red Foxes usually put up 119 rushing yards and 198 through the air. In this game the Quakers gave up 98 on the ground and 152 passing. Linebackers John Lista and Kadari Machen, and defensive tackle Liam Forster led the team with six tackles each. Lista recorded a sack. Marist did not visit the red-zone.
“We held them to 0 – 2 on fourth down conversions which was huge, and obviously great on third-down conversions (5 – 12),” Lista said. “We just had a stellar performance overall as a team.”
Penalties, So Many Penalties
The game evolved into a flag fest as Marist was penalized 14 times to be set back 121 yards. Meanwhile the Red and Blue drew 12 flags for 137 yards. Interesting stat of the game was that each team had more penalty yards than rushing yards. 98 for Marist Penn for 128 on the ground. One flag cost the Quakers a touchdown run by Stokes.
“There is never a good time for a penalty, they put you behind,” Priore said. “You make a successful play, and it gets called back. That’s where it really strikes.”
Drive of the Game
Early in the fourth quarter Penn got the ball back on downs setting up at the Marist 46 yard line with 14:56 on the clock. The Quakers led 14 – 3 and added 7 more points behind a 7-play, 46 yard drive taking 3:11. The Red and Blue overcame an offensive pass interference penalty by Richardson in a goal-to-go situation. O’Brien found Richardson for an 11-yard touchdown reception.
“On every drive our goal is points.” O’Brien said. “We shot ourselves in the foot a couple of times. Whether it’s penalties, or not converting on fourth down. That comes back to all eleven of us not on the same page, not all eleven of us doing our job. It was a big drive. Finally got points in the second half. All credit goes to this guy here (Richardson), one on one match up. Trust him in that any day.”
Play of the Game
The highlight goes to Marist. With a first down at the Quakers 26 yard-line the Red Foxes pulled a flea-flicker. Quarterback Will O’Dell lateraled the ball to running back Jeremy DeCaro who completed a touchdown pass to wide receiver Santino Correa. Penn got too aggressive on defense, and Marist took advantage,
“Guys got sucked up,” Priore explained. ” They were coming in on the run, and up and over our heads. We sort of took the cheese on that one.”
Next Up
Marist (3 – 3) continues their loss after win trend. They travel to Morehead State next Saturday.
Penn (3 – 1, 1 – 0) concludes their non-conference schedule, returning to Ivy League play at Columbia on Saturday.
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com
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