Philly Leader

Recognized for his remarkable sophomore season at the University of Pennsylvania, running back Malachi Hosley has been named Ivy League Offensive Player of the Year. This makes him the 11th player in Penn's history to receive this honor and the first to win since the award was established in 2011.

The Asa S. Bushnell Cup presentation took place at the Rainbow Room in Rockefeller Center, co-hosted by the Ivy League and the National Football Foundation (NFF). ESPN broadcaster Rece Davis served as the master of ceremonies.

Hosley follows defensive lineman Joey Slackman, who won in 2023, making it only the second time that Penn players have won consecutive Player of the Year awards. The previous occurrence was in 1985 and 1986 with Tom Gilmore and Rich Comizio respectively. Under head coach Ray Priore, Hosley is now among three players to win this accolade alongside Slackman and Tyler Drake from 2015.

Hosley's performance in 2024 included leading all rushing categories within the Ancient Eight: carries (191), yards (1,192), touchdowns (9), yards per carry (6.2), and yards per game (119.2). His total yardage surpassed that of Columbia's Joey Giorgi by 332 yards. Additionally, his yardage ranks as eighth-highest for a Penn running back since Sam Mathews' record in 2003.

In FCS football rankings after the Ivy League's final games, Hosley stood fourth in rushing yards per game, eleventh in total rushing yards, thirteenth in all-purpose yards per game (128.10), and sixteenth in yards per carry. He achieved seven games with over 100 rushing yards—a feat accomplished by only ten others before him—and scored nine touchdowns, marking a high since Karekin Brooks' performance in 2019.

A standout moment came during a game against Cornell where he rushed for 192 yards and two touchdowns, contributing to Penn's highest score since 1942 with a victory of 67-49.

"It's truly a blessing to receive this honor," said Hosley. "But this award is not just for me; it's also for my teammates that aren't here today. And it's for the coaching staff as well for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to play at Penn."

Hosley was chosen over other finalists including Cornell QB Jameson Wang and Harvard WR Cooper Barkate. Dartmouth DL Ejike Adele received recognition as Defensive Player of the Year.

The Asa S. Bushnell Cup has been awarded annually since 1970 to honor its namesake, a Princeton alumnus from 1921 who served as commissioner of the Eastern College Athletic Conference from 1938 to 1970. Initially recognizing an overall Ivy League Player of the Year or co-Players if there was a tie, it began distinguishing between Offensive and Defensive Players starting with its presentation during NFF Annual Awards Dinner festivities post-2010 season.

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