ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The University of Pennsylvania sprint football team was dropped by Navy, 16-7 in a hard-fought contest at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. The two teams were held within one score of each other until the Midshipmen nailed a 32-yard field goal for the game's final score.
 
The loss moves Penn to 3-2 on the season and 1-1 in South Division play.
 
NOTES
*Caleb Pierce led the all players today with 11 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss.
 
*Laquan McKever—the CSFL's leading rusher—rushed 15 times for 65 yards and a touchdown.
 
*Brendan McCaffrey was Eddie Jenkins' favorite target today, reeling in six catches for 80 yards.
 
*Jenkins left it all on the field today. The senior quarterback was 13-for-19 with 116 yards. He added another 39 yards on 16 rushes.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The two teams showed grit directly from the opening kickoff. Navy took the kickoff deep into Penn territory, but the Quakers defense buckled in to hold the Mids to a field goal.
 
On their first drive, the Penn offense strung together an excellent, nine-play, 68-yard drive to take the lead. McKever capped off the drive with a 21-yard rush up the Mids' sideline to the house, giving Penn a 7-3 lead in the first quarter.
 
The game settled in after a hot start on offense and defense took over. The six drives following McKever's touchdown ended with a punt, taking the game late into the first half.
 
Navy took its first lead of the game with just over a minute remaining in the first half. Pulling some trickery out of the back pocket, the Mids completed a 34-yard pass to the endzone to take a 10-7 lead.
 
Early in the third quarter, Penn drove into Navy territory behind some strong play from Eddie Jenkins. The Navy defense battened down the hatches and stalled the drive, forcing Penn to punt.
 
That drive was the last time the Quakers offense was able to drive into Navy territory. The Penn defense did well to keep the Quakers in it, shutting down the Mids' offense drive after drive. However, a pair of fourth-quarter field goals was enough as Navy held on to win, 16-7.
 
UP NEXT
The Quakers are back home next week for their final home game of the season as Penn takes on Alderson Broaddus on Saturday, Sept. 26 at noon.