The Quakers (7-2, 6-0) withstood a late charge from the Crimson (6-4, 5-2) to win 17-7 in the de-facto Ivy League championship game. The Quakers clinched at least a share of the title by holding the Crimson to just 250 yards in a rain filled affair.
Pennsylvania withstood a late charge from the Crimson (6-4, 5-2), stopping them on three consecutive plays within the 5-yard line in the waning moments to all but seal the victory.
Harvard quarterback Colier Winters was stopped at the goal line by Jake Lewko at the goal line on fourth down with 2:40 to play, giving Penn the ball back. Harvard had used their final timeout to before their fourth-down play, leaving the Crimson with no way to stop the clock.
The Crimson got the ball back with just 17 seconds and not enough time to rally back from 10 points.
Penn never trailed in the game, scoring on a 51-yard screen pass from Kyle Olson to Marcu Lawrence just 2:03 after kickoff. An early second half touchdown from Winters to Chris Lodritch was the only blemish on a Quaker defense that has only allowed 14 points in their last 18 quarters of play.
"We felt wed have to control the line of scrimmage against them," Harvard coach Tim Murphy said. "And we didn't do that."
Harvard posted 250 yards of total offense to Pennsylvania's 263, but the Crimson had two big plays to thank for that. Lodritch's touchdown went for 45 yards while Marco Iannuzzi caught a 33-yard pass from Winters in the fourth quarter. Winters finished with 135 yards passing.
Rain fell hard throughout the game, forcing sloppy play from both sides. There were seven total fumbles in the game, including two from each team that changed possession. Pennsylvania had the first fumble, as Brad Blackmon coughed one up at the Harvard 12-yard line as the Quakers were knocking on the doorstep of a quick two-touchdown lead.
Harvard couldn't capitalize on the fumble, going only 17 yards on eight plays before punting it back to Penn. Olson doubled the lead nine plays later, punching the ball in from the 1-yard line.
Kyle Olson and Keiffer Garton combined to go 20-for-32 for 181 yards and one touchdown for the Quakers. Garton also led the Quakers on the ground with 42 yards, while Olson scored Penn's second touchdown on a 1-yard run.
"They did a good job moving the ball even when they didn't score and really changing our field position," Murphy said of the Quakers offense.
Andrew Samson closed the scoring for the Quakers, kicking a 28-yard field goal with 31 seconds remaining in the first half.
Harvard, managed just 2.1 yards per carry as the Pennsylvania front seven provided constant pressure.
The Quakers stopped the Crimson for a loss on seven plays, including putting Winters on his back four times. Jake Lewko led the way with two of his 15 tackles going for losses. Zach Heller also added two tackles for loss including one sack.
Winters rushed for 57 yards while Treavor Scales finished with 46 yards for Harvard.
The win assured the Quakers first seven-win season since 2004.
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