Then-freshman running back Malachi Hosley breaks a century-old program record with a 96-yard rushing touchdown against Cornell on Nov. 4, 2023.
Credit: Nathaniel SirlinSophomore running back Malachi Hosley, the Red and Blue’s “Touchdown Machine,” made history once again as he was named the Offensive Player of the Year at the Asa S. Bushnell Cup announcement ceremony in New York on Dec. 16 — becoming Penn’s first Offensive Player of the Year in program history.
Since 1970, the Bushnell Cup has honored Ivy League players who display outstanding qualities of leadership, competitive spirit, contribution to the team, and accomplishments on the field. The award is decided by a vote of the Ancient Eight’s head football coaches. Beginning with the 2011 season, the award started recognizing Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year instead of one Player of the Year.
Hosley’s reception of the award both makes program history and puts him in great company. In 1985, Penn defensive tackle Thomas Gilmore won the Bushnell Cup and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Last year, Red and Blue defensive lineman Joey Slackman was honored as the Defensive Player of the Year. Hosley is the third player under coach Ray Priore to win the Bushnell Cup.
The lvy League announced Hosley as a finalist for the award — alongside Harvard wide receiver Cooper Barkate and Cornell quarterback Jameson Wang — after a standout season. The Columbus, Ga. native led in the Ivy League in carries, rushing yards, yards per carry, and average rushing yards per game. In the latter, Hosley was ranked fourth in the FCS. With nine touchdowns across the season — good for first in the Ancient Eight — Hosley furthered his status as the “Touchdown Machine” this past season.
Hosley’s performance across his two seasons at Penn has made a profound impact on the program. This year, he was the 11th player in Ivy League history to surpass an average of 100 rushing yards every game. In his freshman season, Hosley set a program record with 261 rushing yards in a matchup against Cornell, won the 2023 Ivy League Rookie of the Year award, and was also named a finalist for the 2023 Jerry Rice Award.
Hosley’s Bushnell Cup nomination and win comes shortly after his announcement to enter the transfer portal. He is currently fielding offers from multiple Power 5 programs, including North Carolina, Georgia Tech, Syracuse, and Virginia Tech.
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