NEW YORK — Penn wide receiver Jared Richardson posted 157 yards and three touchdowns to give the Quakers a 35-21 victory over the Columbia football team on Saturday afternoon. The Lions (1-4, 0-2) jumped out to an early lead, but the Quakers (4-1, 2-0) broke a 21-21 tie thanks to back-to-back scores from Richardson to come away with the win.

"Credit to Penn, they have two phenomenal playmakers,"  Patricia and Sheppard Alexander Head Coach Jon Poppe said. "Their quarterback played well, and Richardson is a difference-maker out there. They made some mistakes early that we were able to take advantage of, but not enough. It was a much-improved performance on offense with Caleb Sanchez back, and Beckett Robinson and Titus Evans making some plays. I'm proud of how the guys fought for all four quarters. But obviously, we need to be much cleaner in the fundamentals (to win games)."

Sanchez had a career game, completing 27-of-47 passes for 311 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Michael Walters recorded a team-high of 61 yards, while Evans posted 75 receiving yards. 

"Titus has made catches all year," Poppe stated. "He is playing his heart out, and I'm proud to work with him every day. Beckett Robinson, who we were really high on coming into this game to have more of a prominent role, did an unbelievable job in his first start. He had a big touchdown catch and a couple of other catches. I thought Michael Walters showed some sparks running some people over and running through the contact."

The Lions' defense set the tone early, forcing two Penn turnovers thanks to defensive back Caleb Solomon's interception at the Columbia 41 to cap Penn's opening drive and defensive back Terell Battle's first career pick on the following possession. 

After the Battle interception, Sanchez connected with tight end Braden Dougherty with a 25-yard pass to put the ball on the 1 before Walters, who notched his first career touchdown, with 43 remaining in the first quarter, to put Columbia in front.
Penn responded with a 12-play drive, capped by Richardson's first touchdown catch from one yard out at the 9:59 mark of the second to tie things up, 7-7.

The Lions offense took advantage of another Quaker turnover after defensive back Levi Robins recovered a fumble inside Penn territory to set up another score. Sanchez threw a perfect pass into the hands of Beckett Robinson in the right corner of the endzone to regain the lead, 14-7, at the 5:51 mark in the second frame.

However, the Quakers responded again before the half, marching 75 yards, capped by an O'Brien seven-yard touchdown pass to Bisi Owens with 1:17 before the break to knot things up again.

Penn took its first lead of the day on the first drive of the second half, sparked by O'Brien using his legs to rush for 57 yards, including an 18-yard scamper off a QB draw to go ahead, 21-14, with 8:52 to play in the third quarter. 

Columbia punched back with a 75-yard scoring drive of its own, featuring three catches from Evans, to set up Hutch Crow's third touchdown grab of the season from two yards out at the 3:48 mark.

Penn scored on its third consecutive drive after Richardson broke free over the middle for a 31-yard touchdown with 1:38 left in the third to make it 28-21 in favor of the Quakers.

The Lions had a golden opportunity to knot things up after Penn's punter's knee hit the ground while fielding a low snap, but the Lions could not convert on a 4th and 4 from the Quaker 23, and Penn delivered the final blow.

Richardson, who was coming off National Player of the Week honors, took a bubble screen to the house for a 76-yard touchdown on the very next play to make it 28-21 with 10:18 on the clock. Columbia turned the ball over on downs again and could not draw any closer despite its final two drives moving into Penn territory.

"(We had) three takeaways in the first half, and even in the second half, when we got great field position when their punter took a knee (after fielding the snap), those have to turn into points," Poppe said. "That's where we are not a complete football team yet. Penn helped us out, but we still didn't have the consistency to put touchdowns on the board."

The Lions are back in action Friday, October 24, when they face Dartmouth in front of a nationally televised audience. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. ET on ESPNU.

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POSTGAME NOTES
- Nine different receivers caught a pass in the game.
- Sanchez was named the John Toner Player of the Game, given to Columbia's top player during Homecoming.
- Sanchez is the first Lion to record multiple touchdowns this season.
- With the loss, the Lions are still looking for their first Homecoming win since 2021.