Philly Leader

Sophomore running back Malachi Hosley has been named a finalist for the Asa S. Bushnell Cup, an award given to the Ivy League's Offensive Player of the Year. The announcement was made by the conference office following a vote by the league's eight head coaches.

Hosley's nomination marks Penn's second consecutive appearance in the finals after Joey Slackman won the award last year. He is also Penn's first offensive finalist since Justin Watson in 2017.

The Asa S. Bushnell Cup ceremony will take place at a luncheon on December 16 at Rockefeller Center's Rainbow Room. Both offensive and defensive finalists will attend, accompanied by their head coaches.

This event continues a partnership between the Ivy League and the National Football Foundation, marking its 14th year. This year's presentation will also include naming the Ivy League Coaching Staff of the Year.

In his sophomore season, Hosley led all rushing categories in the league with 191 carries, 1,192 yards, nine touchdowns, and an average of 119.2 yards per game. His performance earned him unanimous first-team All-Ivy honors.

Throughout his career so far, Hosley has recorded seven games with over 100 rushing yards this season alone. Notably, he achieved a standout performance against Cornell with 192 rushing yards and two touchdowns during a high-scoring game for Penn.

The Asa S. Bushnell Cup has been awarded annually since 1970 to players who demonstrate leadership and competitive spirit on the field. Initially recognizing one player or co-players as Player of the Year until it evolved to honor both offensive and defensive players separately from 2011 onward.

Since this change in format, Penn has had nine finalists but no winners for Offensive Player of the Year since Mike Mitchell in 2003 or Jim Finn as a running back in 1998.

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