Willcox, Reed lead Brown to 30-26 victory over Pennsylvania

Updated Oct. 27, 2023 10:38 p.m. ET

Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jake Willcox threw three touchdown passes, Isaiah Reed had two interceptions, including one at the goal line with 56 seconds left, and Brown held off Pennsylvania 30-26 on Friday night.

Willcox completed 7 of 9 passes on the first possession of the second half for Brown (4-3, 2-2 Ivy League), capping a 12-play, 80-yard drive with a 19-yard touchdown pass to Solomon Miller and the Bears led by 27-17. Maron added a 21-yard field goal for a 13-point advantage heading to the final quarter.

Aidan Sayin connected with Jared Richardson for a 13-yard touchdown, completing 6 of 8 passes in an 80-yard drive to get Pennsylvania (5-2, 2-2) within 30-24 with 8:57 remaining. Sayin drove the Quakers to a first-and-goal at the 9-yard line, but Reed picked off a third-down pass. The Bears took an intentional safety after being forced to punt to cut their lead to four, but Quincy Eutsay sacked Sayin near midfield on the final play.

Christopher Maron kicked a 40-yard field goal at the end of a 10-play drive to begin the game, giving Brown a 3-0 lead. Pennsylvania marched 75 yards in 12 plays on its first drive, grabbing a 7-3 lead on Liam O'Brien's 5-yard touchdown run.

Maron kicked a 30-yard field goal after a 15-play drive stalled early in the second quarter to get the Bears within a point. Reed picked off a Sayin pass, setting up Willcox's 25-yard touchdown pass to Stockton Owen and Brown led 13-7. The Quakers pulled within three points on Graham Gotlieb's 45-yard field goal. Willcox teamed up with Mark Mahoney for a 29-yard touchdown and a 10-point lead, but Sayin answered with a 27-yard scoring strike to Alex Haight and Penn trailed 20-17 at halftime.

Willcox completed 26 of 37 passes for 250 yards for Brown. He also carried nine times for 40 yards.

Sayin finished with 322 yards on 32-of-55 passing with two touchdowns and three interceptions for Penn. Richardson had 12 catches for 122 yards.

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