When the University of Pennsylvania Quakers defeated the then fifth ranked Villanova Wildcats 24-13 on Sept. 24, Fordham Football knew today’s game would be no easy task. But in their final out of conference game of the regular season, the Rams were able to travel up to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and defeat the Quakers 48-45.
The start of the game was rather unorthodox, as three turnovers set the tone. Sophomore Caleb Ham intercepted U Penn quarterback Andrew Lisa on the first drive of the game, but Fordham turned the ball over in their first drive after freshman wide receiver Cory Caddle fumbled to football. On the very next play, U Penn running back Tre Solomon fumbled the ball right back to Fordham, and this time they capitalized. Junior quarterback Kevin Anderson found freshman wide receiver Ausin Longie for a 30-yd touchdown pass and a 7-0 Ram lead.
A Quaker punt gave the Rams the ball back again, and Fordham’s third drive of the game ended with another touchdown, this one an eight yard rush from sophomore running back Chase Edmonds to put Fordham up 14-0.
U Penn started the second quarter with a 44-yd field goal from Aron Morgan to make it 14-3, but the Rams quickly answered with a 51-yd touchdown run by Edmonds to make it an 18-point game. Sophomore linebacker Niko Thorpe picked off Lisa for the second time in the game, and Fordham turned that into seven points with another Chase Edmonds rushing touchdown, this one from one yard out.
Now down by 25, Lisa found Aron Morgan in the end zone for a 21-yd touchdown reception to make it 28-10, but Fordham promptly responded on the next drive with Edmonds’ fourth touchdown of the first half, this one a 21-yd reception, to make it 35-10. U Penn answered with a 10-yd touchdown run by Brian Schoenauer to cut the Fordham lead to 35-17 at the half.
In the 3rd quarter, Fordham punted on its’ first possession and the Quakers’ Schoenauer punched it in from three yards out on his their first drive of the half to make it 35-24 Fordham. Another Fordham punt pinned U Penn at their own four, but the Quakers drove all the way down the field and scored once again, this time a nine yard touchdown reception by Ryan O’Malley, and it was now 35-30 Fordham after a field two-point conversion at the end of three.
In the fourth quarter, Edmonds found the end zone once again for his fifth touchdown, a run from two yards out, to give the Rams a 12 point lead. A Lisa fumble on the next possession gave the Ram the ball back, but a failed fourth down conversion at the U Penn 33 ended their second drive of the quarter. The Quakers responded with a Schoenauer two yard TD run to cut the Ram lead down to single digits once again, 42-37.
Makay Redd was limited to only extra points due to an injured groin, and after missing earlier in the game sophomore Aleja Cardenas made a 44-yard attempt to give Fordham an eight point lead. But the Quakers came back yet again, with Lisa finding Kelly Ryan in the end zone from 13 yards out. This time, U Penn was able to convert the two-point conversion and the score was tied at 45 with under two minutes to play in regulation.
Fordham made it into field goal range with a few quick throws by Anderson to junior Robbie Cantelli and Edmonds, but it was Redd who came onto the field to attempt the 31-yard field goal to put the Rams ahead. With 11 seconds to go in the fourth, Redd hit from 31 yards out. Fordham intercepted the ball on the ensuing kickoff after a lateral attempt by the Quakers, and the Rams were able to survive.
Edmonds had another amazing day for the Rams. Rushing for 230 yards and four touchdowns and also picking up 49 yards and a touchdown through the air. Anderson completed 29 of 36 passes for 377 yards with two touchdowns and Cantelli had 164 yards on 12 catches. Not to be outdone, Schoenauer had a nice game for the Quakers with 161 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
Fordham returns home to the Bronx and Patriot League action next weekend to take on Holy Cross in the battle for the Ram-Crusader Cup on Oct. 17 at 1 p.m.
