Penn readies for its ‘statement game’ against No. 10 Lehigh in hopes to fuel its FCS playoff resume

This weekend, Penn will attempt to win a game vs. a top 10 opponent for the first time in 72 years.

It’s a daunting task that the Quakers feel prepared for.

Following a 24-21 win over Stonehill, Penn (1-0) now is preparing for what likely will be one of its most challenging opponents this year in Lehigh, ranked 10th in the FCS top 25, on Saturday (noon, ESPN+).

The team will do so with a heavy heart, as longtime junior captain Vhito DeCapria died this week of cancer. He was 14.

Lehigh (4-0) has been dominant on offense and physical on defense this season. It leans on a run-first offense that averages 234.5 yards per game, good for fifth-best in the nation.

“Against the run, you need to swarm and gang tackle,” Penn head coach Ray Priore said. “They do not go down on the first hit. They’ll bounce, they’ll spin, and they’ll run through you. … They are a very physical team on offense.”

» READ MORE: ‘We’re going to be unstoppable:’ Penn has newfound confidence heading into 2025

Penn has looked tough on the run to start the year. The Quakers allowed only 2.9 yards per carry to Stonehill on 33 rushing attempts. That said, Lehigh is a different challenge — and the Quakers will need to play cleaner in hopes of containing the Mountain Hawks’ offense.

“Up front, we can definitely be a little more stout in the run,” defensive tackle Carter Janki said. “I think overall, we did great. But with [Lehigh’s] better O-line and two good running backs, they can definitely take advantage of little discrepancies.”

Lehigh quickly can a missed assignment into chunk yardage, so the Quaker defense will be further tested after giving up two late touchdowns last week. Lehigh averages 166.75 yards passing per game this season, good for 89th overall, Priore hopes to force the Mountain Hawks to throw by getting ahead on the scoreboard.

“They have a physical offensive line, tight ends, running backs, and then they have a great scheme,” Priore said. “The good thing is, if you ever get ahead of the team, then you force them out of that run game into a pass game.”

Despite the win, the Quakers are well aware of the mistakes they made on offense vs. Stonehill (1-3).

After struggling to consistently secure third-and-short situations throughout the game, senior wide receiver Bisi Owens believes that staying in front of the sticks on early downs will help the offense. Penn is looking to improve upon second-half performance against Stonehill in which the team had as many turnovers as scoring drives.

“A key message for this upcoming week is just take what they give us,” Owens said. “Short passes to very good athletes on the outside could turn into bigger plays … I think we are focusing much more on making sure we’re staying above the chains and we’re moving the ball down the field.”

Lehigh is 10th in total defense this season, has forced five turnovers in four games, and is holding teams to 17.25 points per game. Priore described the Mountain Hawks as a team that “doesn’t do a lot to trick you,” with the defense relying on its playmakers to stifle opposing offenses.

Despite the task ahead of them, the offense is confident in its talent and preparation entering Saturday.

“I think they’re going to be surprised by how physical we are and how daring we are to find the loopholes in their defense and really expose their three high look and allow our playmakers to make plays,” Owens said.

The opportunity to take down a big opponent is not lost on the Quakers, despite starting quarterback Liam O’Brien believing the heavyweight matchup provides “no extra motivation” for a team already hungry to prove itself.

“This is an opportunity for us to make a statement to the Ivy League, to the FCS, and to the playoff committee for seeding,” defensive back Jayden Drayton said. “We get this win and we continue to handle business throughout this season, that puts us in a good position come playoff time. It’s just a big step in our ultimate goal beyond the Ivy: competing for a national championship. This is a statement game.”

» READ MORE: Follow the Inquirer's complete coverage of Penn athletics right here!