Sept. 29, 2007, Hanover, NH – Dartmouth 21, Penn 13
A 21-6 lead in the final minutes of the game almost wasn’t enough as the Penn Quakers refused to go down without a fight.
The craziness started with 3:01 remaining in the contest and Dartmouth seemingly in command. Using two timeouts to stop the clock and a strong defensive effort, the Quakers held the Big Green without a first down and forced a punt with 2:37 showing.
Aided by a high snap, Marc Washington blocked the punt, giving Penn possession at the Dartmouth 26. A completion for a first down and an incompletion later quarterback Bryan Walker hit Braden Lepisto from nine yards out for a touchdown at 2:17 to make it an eight-point game.
With everyone knowing what was coming, Penn’s Andrew Samson hit an onside kick that teammate Greg Abrogi recovered at the Penn 40.
The Quakers collected two first downs – the first on a pass interference call on a fourth-and-one pass – to advance the ball to the Dartmouth six.
On fourth-and-four from the six, Walker threw to Dan Coleman in the end zone for what at first appeared to be the touchdown that would give Penn a chance to tie with a two-point conversion. But after a conference among the zebras, the play was eventually ruled an incompletion.
Penn coach Al Bagnoli protested vociferously but all he got for his effort was a flag.
Tom Bennewitz completed 18-of-26 passes for 265 yards and two touchdowns to lead Dartmouth, which got five catches for 90 yards and one score from receiver Eric Paul.
Tomorrow: A close call
