Penn’s O’Brien, West secure 28-21 win vs Brown

**Pennsylvania Edges Brown 28-21 in Thrilling Ivy League Clash, O’Brien’s Late TD Secures Victory**

PHILADELPHIA, PA – October 26, 2024 – The University of Pennsylvania Quakers clinched a hard-fought 28-21 victory over the Brown University Bears Saturday afternoon at Franklin Field, with a dramatic fourth-quarter touchdown pass from quarterback Liam O’Brien proving to be the decisive moment. The win pushes Penn’s Ivy League record to 3-1, keeping their championship hopes alive in a highly competitive conference.

The contest was a back-and-forth affair, with neither team able to establish a comfortable lead until the game’s waning minutes. Penn’s ground game, spearheaded by junior running back Donte West, kept the Quakers in contention early. West, a pivotal force in the Penn offense, punched in two short touchdown runs – a 3-yard scamper in the first quarter and a 1-yard dive in the second – to cap off methodical drives and stake Penn to an early lead.

However, Brown, under the direction of veteran quarterback Marcus Thorne, refused to fold. The Bears responded to each Penn score, showcasing an explosive passing game that found seams in the Quakers’ secondary, tying the game twice before halftime and again in the fourth quarter.

The turning point came with just over three minutes remaining in regulation, with the score deadlocked at 21-21. Facing a critical 3rd-and-7 from the Brown 28-yard line, O’Brien, a sophomore signal-caller, found senior wide receiver Justin Chen streaking across the middle. O’Brien delivered a perfect spiral, and Chen hauled it in, shaking off a defender to rumble into the end zone for the go-ahead score. The 28-yard touchdown reception electrified the home crowd and put Penn up 28-21 after the extra point.

“I just trusted Justin to be in the right spot, and he made an incredible play after the catch,” O’Brien said following the game. “We knew it was a crucial drive, and everyone stepped up.”

Brown mounted one final drive, moving the ball past midfield with a series of quick passes. But the Penn defense, which had bent but not broken throughout the game, held firm. A key sack by senior defensive end Jamal Davis on 3rd down pushed the Bears back, and an incomplete pass on 4th-and-long sealed Brown’s fate, allowing Penn to run out the clock.

“This was a true team win against a very tough Brown squad,” said Penn head coach Mark Davidson. “Donte West was phenomenal, grinding out tough yards and getting us on the board. And Liam, when it mattered most, showed incredible composure on that final touchdown pass. Our defense then dug deep and finished the job.”

West finished the game with 98 rushing yards on 22 carries, in addition to his two touchdowns. O’Brien completed 18 of 29 passes for 215 yards and the game-winning touchdown, avoiding any turnovers. For Brown, Thorne threw for 285 yards and two touchdowns, but his efforts ultimately fell short.

The Quakers, now 5-2 overall and 3-1 in the Ivy League, will look to carry this momentum into their next conference matchup when they travel to Princeton next Saturday for another critical game that could shape the Ivy League title race. Brown, now 3-4 overall and 1-3 in conference play, will host Yale.