Penn handles Marist, 28-9, thanks to stingy defense, but mistakes on offense linger

Penn continues to struggle, despite a second straight win.

Penn (3-1, 1-0 Ivy) handled business against Marist (3-3, 1-1 Pioneer League) behind a stellar performance from the defense in a 28-9 victory. Offensively, however, the Quakers struggled against a team over which they were favored by 16½ points.

“We all know we can get better,” head coach Ray Priore said. “Even myself, I can get better.”

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Penn hopes to learn from its mistakes before a road matchup against reigning Ivy co-champions Columbia next Saturday. But first, here are three takeaways from Friday’s win:

The Quakers had two failed fourth-down attempts, missed a field goal, and committed eight penalties on offense (and 12 overall).

Both failed attempts were deep in Marist territory, leaving Penn without points after lengthy drives. An unsportsmanlike penalty against star wide receiver Jared Richardson erased a fourth-and-1 opportunity late in the third quarter, and the Quakers ultimately had to punt.

“It’s unacceptable,” Richardson said. “I’m a senior, a three-year starter. Right now, I’m seeking help to get this taken care of. We are starting Ivy League play … going forward, I’m going be very diligent with that and it’s going to stop.”

Midway through the fourth quarter up 12, another penalty knocked the Quakers out of field goal range — forcing a punt once again. Penn ultimately had 137 yards taken away by penalties.

“We left points on the table, and it was our doing,” quarterback Liam O’Brien said. “It’s a consistent theme, and it stems from our players, and we just got to come back and hold each other accountable, stay disciplined, and attack the game plan we have.”

Despite the offense being plagued by miscues, O’Brien and Richardson lifted the team with a dazzling performance.

Richardson finished the game with 190 yards and two touchdowns on 15 catches. He was just 1 yard shy of his career high in yards and three receptions short of breaking his own program record for receptions in a game.

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The biggest highlight from the Blakeslee, Pa. native’s performance was a 43-yard reception over top of his defender in the third quarter, which lit up the Penn sideline.

“I’m happy we got the dub,” Richardson said. “All the credit goes to Coach [Greg] Chimera and Coach Priore. Liam O’Brien has been doing his job, the offensive line. It takes all 11.”

O’Brien finished with 335 yards and two touchdowns through the air and 25 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

“All credit to [Richardson] right here,” O’Brien said of his own performance. “One-on-one matchup, trust him in that any day.”

The Quaker defense allowed only two scores and 250 total yards as the Red Foxes struggled under backup quarterback Will O’Dell.

The defense played without senior captain and defensive end Paul Jennings, who has a broken thumb. Even without Jennings, the Quakers allowed 98 yards rushing — their second-lowest total of the year.

“Obviously, it’s a young defense,” linebacker John Lista said. “Held them to 0-[for]-2 on [fourth down] conversions, which is huge. … We had a stellar performance as an overall team.”

Added Priore: “Played some really sound team defense today. … Continuing down the line, we need to be the most disciplined team.”

Penn travels to New York to take on Columbia (1-2, 0-1 Ivy) next Saturday (1:30 p.m., ESPN+).