WEST POINT, N.Y. – The University of Pennsylvania sprint football team opened the 2021 season with a 38-13 setback versus Army on Friday night under the lights at Shea Stadium.

In their first game in 685 days, the Quakers (0-1) fought hard against the Black Knights (1-0).

Junior QB Andrew Paolini passed for 255 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while Brendan McCaffrey was on the receiving end of both TDs and racked up 191 yards receiving.

Quaker Notemeal
*All 13 of Penn's points came in the fourth quarter. The Red and Blue outscored Army, 13-0, in the final quarter of action.

*Penn's first TD of the season came on a 99-yard drive. The drive took only three plays as Paolini and McCaffrey hooked up for an 82-yard TD strike. It marked the longest play in the careers of both players.

*The second TD between Paolini and McCaffrey was a 72-yard bomb.

*Paolini completed 9-of-25 passes on the night. His 255 yards and two TDs were new career-highs.

*McCaffrey hauled in three passes for a career-high 191 yards. It was the second time in his career he caught a pair of TD passes in a game.

*Laquan McKever rushed for 61 yards on 18 carries.

*Defensively, Lewis Evans had a team-high 12 tackles, thanks to recording eight solo stops.

How It Happened
Army received the opening kickoff and scored on its first play of the game. After forcing a Quaker punt, the Black Knights drove 59 yards down the field for another touchdown to take a quick 14-0 lead.

After the second Army TD, the two teams combined for five straight punts as neither squad was able to muster more than five yards gained on any of the drives.

Army blocked a Penn punt early in the second quarter and that led to a FG to make it 17-0 in favor of the hosts. The Black Knights scored again just before halftime to take a 24-0 lead into the break.

The Black Knights took advantage of plus field position for both of their second-half touchdowns. The first came midway through the third quarter on a 45-yard drive and their final TD of the day was a one-play, 11-yard drive late in the third.

Penn's first TD in 685 days came on a three-play 99-yard drive. After the Black Knights pinned the Quakers inside the one, a pair of McKever runs gave the Quakers a first down at their own 18. Paolini and McCaffrey would hook up on the next play for the 82-yard touchdown. A blocked PAT made it 38-6 Army.

The Quakers capped the scoring in the game two drives later. On first down from their own 28, Paolini aired it out once again connecting with McCaffrey for another long TD.

Up Next
Penn closes out it season-opening, two-game road trip next Saturday, September 25, at Mansfield. Opening kickoff in the contest between the Quakers and Mounties is slated for 7:00 p.m.