PHILADELPHIA - The University of Pennsylvania sprint football team's second half comeback falls just short as Chestnut Hill defeats the Quakers, 31-26.

Chestnut Hill took the trip to Franklin Field determined to capture the Griffins' first win over Penn since the creation of their sprint football program in 2015. They received the opening kickoff and pieced together a drive that ended with a 33-yard Mike Marino touchdown pass to Reggie Robinson Jr. 

Penn struck back later in the first quarter. Quarterback Connor Reed found Ben Klaus for a 20-yard pickup, and later found Josh Trybus on a 50-yard pass to set up the Quakers in the red zone. Jake Klaus punched it in from five yards out to score his fifth rushing touchdown of the season and tie the game at seven.

Chestnut Hill responded quickly, with Marino finding Robinson Jr. again on a 63-yard touchdown. Marino threw his third touchdown pass late in the first half to Domoree Hill to put the Griffins up 21-7. Theo Papazekos kicked a 23-yard field goal just before halftime to narrow the Griffins' lead. 

The Quakers' defense was able to successfully stifle the Chestnut Hill offense, limiting them to just six total yards. Unfortunately, the Penn offense could not find any rhythm on offense either and were limited to 19 yards. 

Chestnut Hill scored a field goal early in the fourth quarter to extend their lead to 17. The Quakers put Josh Trybus at QB following the Griffins' field goal and immediately started clawing their way back into the game.

Trybus found Billy Murphy in the end zone for a touchdown after a pair of Jake Klaus rushes and a 31-yard pass to Brendan McCaffrey set up the Quakers in the red zone. 

Penn forced a three-and-out on Chestnut Hill's next drive. Aaron Johnson blocked the ensuing punt and forced a safety to narrow the Griffins' lead to just five points. The Red and Blue were unable to take advantage of their possession after the safety, and were forced to punt. 

The Quakers' defensive unit came up big to force third and long, but Marino tossed a 51-yard touchdown pass to Hill to widen the gap, with Chestnut Hill leading, 31-19. 

Penn would not let Marino's fourth touchdown pass of the game seal the win for the Griffins'. Trybus made three big completions, capped off by a 25-yard touchdown pass to Ben Klaus, and gave the Quakers a fighting chance, trailing 31-26. 

Papazekos took the onside kick and the Quakers' recovered, but the officials threw a flag for illegal touching and Chestnut Hill sealed the upset win.

The Quakers are back in action in two weeks, as they travel to Army for a CSFL Championship rematch. The game will take place on Friday, Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. in West Point, N.Y.