Penn snaps eight-game skid with win over Columbia

The Penn football team under coach Al Bagnoli is not accustomed to the type of stretch it had suffered since last October.

Eight consecutive losses, dating to a victory over Yale on Oct. 26, 2013, had left the Quakers hungry for a win. That hunger was satisfied on Saturday as the Quakers (1-4, 1-1 Ivy League) ended their misery with a 31-7 win over Columbia at Franklin Field.

"No one likes to be in this scenario," said Bagnoli, who ended the longest losing streak of his 22-year coaching career. "We've been in a little bit of a slump, but that goes back to the schedule that we've played. I give our kids credit for hanging in there and practicing, persevering, and believing.

"You know, no one likes to be in this scenario when you've put in the kind of work that our kids and our staff have put in."

No one knows that better than Columbia (0-5, 0-2). The Lions, who opened the game with a nine-play, 81-yard drive that ended with quarterback Trevor McDonagh completing a 6-yard touchdown pass to tight end Zach Dansby, lost for the 16th straight time. Columbia hasn't won since it defeated Cornell on Nov. 10, 2012.

Penn responded to Columbia's touchdown with 31 unanswered points. Despite playing without two of their top three running backs, the Quakers rushed for 276 yards on 54 carries. Brian Schoenauer, listed fourth on the depth chart but thrust into action because of injuries, gained 77 yards on 18 carries. And quarterback Alek Torgersen rushed for 70 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries.

Meanwhile, the Penn defense held the Lions to just 20 yards rushing on 17 carries.

Columbia coach Pete Mangurian lamented his team's undisciplined play. The Lions committed 16 penalties for 118 yards.

"Back to the drawing board again, back to the bottom of the mountain," Mangurian said. "We didn't hold it together mentally. It's not just blocking and tackling. You aren't going to beat anybody making the mistakes we did."