As the Rams marched onto Franklin Field they knew that their opponents, the University of Pennsylvania Quakers, were looking to play spoiler to their recent winning streak. What followed was sixty minutes of tough, smashmouth football that the Rams managed to survive by a close three point margin. The victory was greatly due Fordham’s prolific offensive attack combined with opportunistic defensive play that gave the offense crucial breaks to turn the tide of the game in the Rams’ favor.

Similar to last week, the Rams came out of the gate with an uneven start. They participated in a game of hot-potato with Penn as Sophomore Caleb Ham made a heads-up play and intercepted Penn’s Quarterback Andrew Lisa. Then, on the very next play, the Rams wide receiver Corey Caddle fumbled after making a good reception in coverage. And then however, on the following play, the Rams were able to pounce on Penn running back Tre Solomon’s costly fumble.

Remaining calm and collected, the so-far proficient junior Ram quarterback Kevin Anderson rallied the offense to put up a touchdown on the ensuing possession. The beautiful touchdown toss came when Anderson connected with freshman wide receiver Austin Longie on a 30-yard pass. After more stout Rams defensive play that forced a punt, Anderson once again marshaled the offense down the field with determination to score. This time the stellar Ram running back Chase Edmonds galloped into the end zone on an eight-yard scamper, putting the Rams up 14-0.

It appeared to be smooth sailing from then on as the Rams were on their way to another blowout, but the Penn squad refused to surrender. Even after falling down to a twenty-five point differential in the second quarter as the score was 28-3, Penn relied on their aerial attack to cut Fordham’s lead to 35-30 by the end of the third quarter.

Despite the close game, Edmonds rose to the challenge. Throughout the game, he piled on another astounding total of 230 rushing yards alongside a whopping five touchdown runs.  On the defensive side of the ball, the standout performer was once again linebacker Stephen Hodge. Hodge played with stamina and intensity as he recorded 12 tackles and forced a beneficial fumble.

The game had a nail biter for a finish: after Penn tied it up 45-45 in the waning moments of the fourth quarter, quarterback Kevin Anderson was given the opportunity for some late game heroics on a final drive. He stepped up to the task as he accurately threw to junior Robbie Cantelli and Edmonds to move the ball up the field to set up a successful 31-yard chip-shot attempt by kicker Makay Redd that sealed the deal for the Rams, earning them their 5th victory in the 2015 campaign.

The Rams will try to keep their winning streak alive next Saturday, Oct. 17 as they return to Jack Coffey Field in the Bronx, to face Holy Cross at 1:00 p.m. in a battle for the Ram-Crusader cup.