Yale at Penn: Alek Torgersen, Quakers' O look to stay hot

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It’s Friday Night Lights at Franklin Field as Penn plays its first-ever nationally televised night game at Franklin Field. Here’s a look at what’s on tap:

Yale (4-1, 1-1 Ivy) at Penn (2-3, 1-1 Ivy)
Franklin Field
Friday, 7 p.m., NBC Sports

Scouting Penn
The Quakers rose to the occasion against former coach Al Bagnoli last week, pummeling Columbia, 42-7, for the program’s most lopsided win in five years. Back from a one-game absence because of concussion symptoms, Alek Torgersen threw three touchdown passes in the blowout, including two to tight end Ryan Kelly. Christian Pearson caught the other TD and finished the day with 10 catches (a Penn freshman record) and 126 yards. Penn also forced four turnovers and five sacks but remain near the bottom of the Ivies in most statistical defensive categories, including total defense (seventh) and rush defense (eighth).

Scouting Yale
The Bulldogs, who were in contention for an Ivy League title last season, have only lost one game this year but it was a big on as they were humbled by Dartmouth, 35-3, two weeks ago with seven starters out injured. Yale rebounded nicely, though, with a 21-10 win at Maine, outscoring the Black Bears, 12-0, in the fourth quarter. Deshawn Salter has helped fill the void left by reigning Ivy League Player of the Year and current Indianapolis Colts rookie Tyler Varga by averaging 93.6 rushing per game, second in the Ivies. Quarterback Morgan Roberts ranks third in the league in passing yards per game (265.8) but last in completion percentage (55.2).  

History
Yale holds a 47-34-1 advantage in a series that dates all the way back to 1879 but Penn has won 10 of its last 11 meetings with the Bulldogs at home. Yale’s last win at Franklin Field was a triple-overtime thriller in 2007, and its last win there in regulation was in 1990.

Storyline to watch
Perhaps the most impressive part of last week’s win against Columbia was how well Torgersen spread the ball to his receivers with Pearson enjoying a breakout game and Cam Countryman catching four passes for 78 yards. Justin Watson has already shown he can be an FCS star but if other receivers continue to get open for Torgersen tonight, especially against a banged-up Yale secondary, Penn could be looking at its third straight game scoring 40 or more points.

What’s at stake?
With Dartmouth and Harvard both unbeaten in the league, a second conference loss for either team would make it very difficult to win the Ivies. Meanwhile, whoever emerges victorious tonight will be right in the thick of the title race.

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