Yale Keeps Ivy Hopes Alive With Win Over Penn

By Steven A. Conn,

Yale Associate Athletics Director and Director of Sports Publicity

Yale wideout Reed Klubnik busts a move on Penn Friday night. The
Bulldogs stopped the Quakers 23-10 to keep their hopes alive for
an Ivy League championship. (Photo Courtesy Yale Athletics Dept.)

PHILADELPHIA—In what was basically an elimination game in the race for the 2018 Ivy League Championship, and Yale emerged victories defeating Penn, 23-10, before 10,126 fans at Franklin Field on a clear, crisp fall Friday evening in Philly.

This one was won at the line of scrimmage: The Bulldogs ran for 244 yards while holding Penn to just 14 yards rushing. Yale junior running back Alan Lamar rushed for 179 yards and two touchdowns.

While the Elis moved the ball up and down the field behind its powerful offensive line, the Bulldog defense had its best outing of the season. First-year linebacker Noah Pope had a team-best 10 overall tackles and a sack. The Elis registered three sacks and broke up six passes on the night.

"We were just physical. We were physical to the ball, being the more physical team, and you could see that,” said Pope, who had five solo stops in the best game of his young career. “I just happened to be in the right spot at the right time to make big plays. Honestly, we were just the more physical team up front and it allowed us to be able to mix our plays... This a defense where we just love playing with each other and getting after it."

Yale junior quarterback Kurt Rawlings had a productive day (11-for-14, 137 yards, no TDs, no Ints) cut short by a third-quarter injury that brought sophomore Jimmy Check off the sideline. Check completed five of eight passes and ran for 10 yards to help the visitors close out the win.

"It's always a great feeling to win, especially in the Ivy League, since every game is like a playoff here,” said Lamar, who ended up a yard shy of his career best output. “To come here and pull out a win and further our chances in the Ivy League race is a great feeling."

With the win, Yale improves to 4-2 overall and 2-1 in Ivy League play while the Quakers fall to 4-2, 1-2. The Bulldogs next travel to New York where they will challenge 3-3, 0-3 Columbia on Saturday. Kickoff at Robert K. Kraft Field at Lawrence A. Wien Stadium will be at 1 p.m., and the game will be streamed live on ESPN+.