MANSFIELD, Pa. - Eddie Jenkins figured in six total touchdowns, throwing for five and running for another, as the University of Pennsylvania sprint football team defeated Mansfield, 54-21, in its season opener.
The Mounties started the game off with a bang, as freshman Quinn Henry returned the opening kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown. However, Penn responded quickly, piecing together an eight-play, 61-yard drive which was capped off by a Jenkins 4-yard rushing touchdown.
The Mountaineers were hosting LUMA 2018 -- celebrating Mansfield's hosting of the first football game played under the lights on Sept. 28, 1892 at Smythe Park -- and would not give up easily. Adam Hutchinson found Saville Pope for an 81-yard touchdown pass, but the hosts could not score on the 2-point conversion.
Penn again responded almost immediately. Jenkins took to the air this time and found Aidan Kelly for a 58-yard touchdown pass to put the Quakers up, 14-12. The Penn defense then forced a 3-and-out for Mansfield and received the ball on their 43-yard line. The Red and Blue then pieced together another scoring drive that was capped when Jenkins found Ben Klaus on a 4-yard pass in the end zone to extend the Quakers lead to nine points. The reception was Klaus' first touchdown for Penn.
Mansfield again responded with a solid drive, cutting Penn's lead to two points.
A three-and-out for each team saw Penn with the ball again at their own 20-yard line. Jake Klaus gained 33 yards on seven carries to set-up the Quakers in the red zone. Jenkins and Ben Klaus then connected for the second time tonight on a 16-yard touchdown play to put the Quakers up by nine points again. Penn then closed out the first half with a Jake Klaus 4-yard rushing touchdown. However, Theo Papazekos' PAT was blocked and returned by Mansfield to take the teams into halftime with the Quakers up 34-21.
The Quakers received the ball to start the second half and marched down the field, Jenkins finding Christian McCaffrey on a 12-yard touchdown pass. The reception was McCaffrey's first touchdown as a Quaker.
Penn continued to run away with the game. Jake Klaus scored his second rushing touchdown on the day, punching it in from the Mansfield 2-yard line. The Quakers closed out the scoring late in the fourth quarter when Jenkins found freshman Sam Mintz and threw his fifth touchdown pass. The 24-yard TD reception was Mintz's first touchdown for Penn.
Penn's home opener will be next Friday, Sept. 21 when the Quakers host Cornell at 7 p.m.
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