A week after dropping its Ivy League and home opener, Penn plays its final non-conference game of the season. Here’s a closer look:
Fordham Rams (4-1, 1-0 Patriot) at Penn Quakers (1-2, 0-1 Ivy)
Franklin Field
Saturday, 1 p.m.
Scouting Penn
The Quakers have been very inconsistent this season, sandwiching two ugly losses around a huge upset over Villanova. Last week’s 41-20 setback to Dartmouth was particularly disconcerting as Penn allowed the Big Green to amass 498 total yards at Franklin Field with Dartmouth QB Dalyn Williams completing all but two of his 24 pass attempts. Meanwhile, Penn quarterback Alek Torgersen was pulled from the game due to a head injury — though backup QB Andrew Lisa gave Penn fans a glimmer of optimism with two TD tosses in the fourth quarter.
Scouting Fordham
Since losing to Villanova, the Rams have rolled off three straight wins and are currently ranked 13th in the FCS. Last week’s victory was their most convincing one yet as they steamrolled Lafayette, 35-7, in their Patriot League opener behind a career-high 234 rushing yards and two TDs from Chase Edmonds, the top running back in the FCS. Stephen Hodge, the 2013 Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year who missed all of last season with an injury, led a strong defensive effort with eight tackles while also providing the special teams with one of its two blocked field goals.
History
Penn had won the first five meetings in the series before Fordham walloped the Quakers last year, 60-22. The Rams have never won at Franklin Field.
Storyline to watch
The big question all week for Penn has been whether Torgersen will be able to play. Concussions are nothing to mess around with, and considering this is a non-league game, the Penn coaches may decide to err on the side of caution. If he doesn’t go, it will be interesting to see how Lisa fares in his first collegiate start and how head coach Ray Priore devises his game plan with an inexperienced QB going up against a nationally ranked team.
What’s at stake?
While Fordham needs a win in this one for their playoff hopes, Penn doesn’t have those concerns since Ivy teams aren’t eligible for the FCS playoffs. Still, given that a win will be Penn’s second of the year against a nationally ranked team and also Priore’s first career victory at home, the Quakers have a lot to get charged up for coming in.