The last time Penn beat Villanova in football, Benajmin Franklin celebrated by streaking the squad in nothing but his bifocals. Or, at least it felt that way. For the first time since 1911 - Nineteen Eleven! - the Quakers took down the fourth-ranked Wildcats, 24-13, on Thursday night.
The win snapped a 14-game losing streak to the Quakers' crosstown foes, served as head coach Ray Priore's first victory in Penn red and blue, and registered as the program's third victory over a Top 5 opponent - just the second since World War II.
Penn dominated the first half, owning a nearly 5-to-1 time of possession advantage while holding the Wildcats to only two first downs and 29 yards of total offense. But a gaggle of miscues - a turnover on downs, a missed field goal, and an interception in the end zone - kept the score 14-0 at the break.
The Quakers forced a mistake of their own, an interception by freshman Sam Philippi, to push the lead to 17-0. But Villanova responded with a touchdown and threatened another until Donald Panciello claimed a fumble and returned it 90 yards for a touchdown, pushing the Quakers' fourth quarter lead to 24-7 and the game out of reach. Villanova added a cosmetic touchdown to provide the final score.
Alek Torgersen led the club by hitting 14-of-22 throws for 171 yards and two touchdowns to Justin Watson, while Tre Solomon and Brian Schoenauer accumulated 112 yards on 31 carries.
Congrats to Coach Priore and his staff on a truly historic victory.