The meaning behind Penn’s football’s jersey digits
The rise of Malachi Hosley
A deep dive into Penn football jerseys through the years A look ahead towards Penn football's season opener versus Delaware
1 p.m. in Philadelphia, Pa.
1 p.m. in Hanover, N.H.
N.Y.
SUPER SAYIN
Ahead of senior season, Penn's quarterback is ready to rise again
Sayin has started more games than nearly any other Penn quarterback — and his final 10 will be the most important
WALKER CARNATHAN Sports Editor
It was a crisp November day at Franklin Field when his last drive began, with a crackle in air and a century-old rivalry on the line.
Trailing by seven with 43 seconds to go, senior quarterback Aidan Sayin knows he needs to move quickly. After 25 Division I starts and a football career dating back even further, these sorts of lategame, high-pressure moments are nothing new. Sayin drops back, fires, grabs two yards. Another drop back, this time a 10-yard pickup down to the Princeton 36.
Then, with 18 seconds on the clock, Sayin goes for it all. He fires downfield to his favorite target: junior wide receiver Jared Richardson, a record-breaking wideout who’s already racked up three touchdowns on the day. Richardson skies for the ball, but before he can corral it, a Tiger gets there first. As Princeton defensive back Nasir Hill plucks Sayin’s prayer from the sky, it marks a number of endings: the end of a disastrous day for Sayin, one that saw him turn the ball over six times, including four interceptions; the end of
the Quakers’ season, one that saw them lose four Ivy League games by a combined margin of 16 points. But most of all, it marks the end of an old era for Penn’s now-senior captain, and the start of something new.
“Last year got us 6-4. So, something needs to change in order to get us where we need to be …” Sayin said of his mindset ahead of his senior season. “For me, it’s definitely title or bust.”
It was a sunny morning in Carlsbad, Calif., far away and long before that day on Franklin Field. Here, in a quiet, coastal town, two brothers’
shared love of football is just beginning to bloom.
Sayin and his younger brother Julian took to football from a young age. Their stories began the way so many do: throwing the ball around the front yard as a family, passing the time and the pigskin in one another’s company. Outside of those ordinary beginnings, the brothers also fell for the game through the virtual eyes of the players they would one day become.
“I remember we used to always be placing [the] NCAA [video game],” Julian said of his earliest football memory with Aidan. “NCAA 13, NCAA 14, when it came out we were always playing against each other.”
It wasn’t long before the brothers traded in their controllers for cleats. In sixth grade, Sayin began participating in a flag football league called Friday Night Lights, and quickly caught the
attention of the league’s operator, Thadd MacNeal. MacNeal took Aidan under his wing, coaching him in private sessions when he was still a middle
Last year got us 6-4. So something needs to change in order to get us where we need to be… For me, it’s definitely title or bust.
AIDAN
schooler and training him with a bigger ball to strengthen his arm and prepare him for the next level.
Sayin rose to the challenge. Just a few years later, he enrolled at Carlsbad High School, whose football team was helmed by none other than
WEINING DING | SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
Senior quarterback Aidan Sayin poses with his helmet on Franklin Field on Sept. 11.
SAYIN Senior Quarterback
By The Numbers
25 starts
6,069 passing yards
1st
Penn freshman to start as quarterback since 2010
MacNeal. After so many years of working together, Sayin and MacNeal had an unspoken connection — one that helped Sayin win the starting quarterback job as a junior and lead the Carlsbad Lancers as something of a coach on the field.
Though Sayin’s final high school campaign was shortened to just six games due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it also came with a special opportunity: the chance to put on the pads with his little brother. During their one year of overlap in high school, Julian served as Aidan’s backup quarterback, a full-circle moment for the brothers who had played such pivotal roles in each other’s love for football.
“It was awesome, just because we got to practice together everyday,” Julian said of his and Aidan’s year together. “Just being able to take points from him, then getting to go and watch him play … it was a really special season.”
When Aidan committed to Penn, he became MacNeal’s 17th quarterback to play at the college level. Just three years later, Julian became the 18th. But, in the younger brother’s case, it wasn’t a matter of whether he would play major Division I football, but where.
After Aidan’s departure, Julian immediately assumed the starting role and left his own indelible mark on the Carlsbad program, passing for 86 touchdowns and nearly 8,000 yards over his three years at the helm. When he graduated in 2024, he was rated as a five-star prospect, the top ranked player in the state of California, and the No. 6 ranked player in the nation.
But, just because Julian has achieved such immense success doesn’t mean he’s escaped
41 total touchdowns
1,474 yards away from Penn's program record
the role of little brother.
“Aidan never backs down,” MacNeal said. “Aidan still believes he’s the best one … the smartest, the most accurate. But they really love each other, encourage each other. There’s never been animosity. It’s just a total respect and admiration for each other.”
At the midpoint of the season, the Quakers needed a change.
Five games through the 2021 campaign, Penn sat at 2-3, still reeling from a 23-14 loss to Columbia in which the Red and Blue gained just 83 yards passing. It was evident that for the Quakers to succeed, both in the short and long term, they would need a different jersey under center.
It was then that the future began. For their upcoming game against Yale, the Quakers would turn to Sayin, the first time a freshman would start as QB for the Red and Blue since 2010. MacNeal recalled a conversation with Penn coach Ray Priore in which he praised Sayin’s football intellect, saying he had never had “a QB as prepared as [Sayin] coming out of high school.” And it was that intellect and preparedness that made Priore comfortable handing Sayin the reins to the offense.
“Aidan is an intelligent, smart football player. He understands the game that way,” Priore recently said of Sayin. “He’s a very talented young man. Behind him, we’ll do some good things.”
But it was not all sunshine for the California kid. Over his Sayin’s five starts as a freshman, Penn went just 1-4, including a three-game stretch to end the season in which it scored just 11 points per game. Sayin struggled, throwing
more interceptions than touchdowns and completing just 54% of his passes. But it was that trial that forced Sayin to evolve.
“Being able to start freshman year was a lot to adjust to, being a young 18 year old …” Sayin said. “I didn’t play very well, but I got my toes wet, and then I feel like that gave me a place, a good platform where I could just progress up through the years. I think I’ve gotten better each year … and it all started those five games, getting thrown in the fire.”
After that season, Sayin rose from the ashes. He broke out as a sophomore under new offensive coordinator Dan Swanstrom — who has since left for Cornell — leading Penn to an 8-2 season and earning his first of two All-Ivy honorable mentions. As a junior, he finished second in the Ancient Eight in both yards and completion percentage. This season, if Sayin reaches 1,474 passing yards, a mark he has eclipsed in both of his full campaigns as Penn’s starter, he will become the all-time passing leader in program history.
But amid those scores of success, the highest accolade still eludes him: an Ivy title. The Quakers have found success over the last two seasons, but
their 14-6 combined record is a product of the team’s inconsistent play — a problem in which Sayin has played a significant part. Despite his success in 2023, Sayin’s 12 interceptions led the Ivy League, and Penn went just 1-3 in conference games where Sayin turned the ball over at least once. Though a team is more than its signal caller, a change in Penn’s destiny will start with a change in Sayin.
“We were good [last season], but we couldn’t get it done, right? We know what we have to do. We know we have be better …” Sayin said. “A big part of that is me. I can’t turn the ball over as much as last year. I think goals like that will help us get to our ultimate goal.”
During his time with the Red and Blue, Sayin has not only been playing for himself — he’s been setting an example. As Aidan carved out his place at the college level, Julian was navigating his own commitment, a process made infinitely easier thanks to the brother who’d been there before.
“He was always able to help,” Julian said of Aidan. “And then seeing him go off to college, become a starter, just
the way he carries himself, the way he handles himself. It was good to see.”
After a whirlwind recruitment process, Julian eventually pledged to play at Ohio State. During the Buckeyes’ September 7 win over Western Michigan, he threw his first collegiate touchdown pass.
On September 21, Sayin will begin his final Quaker campaign on the road against Delaware. He will drop back, process the defense, fire throws and take risks just like he always has. But this year, it will be with the innate knowledge that his time in the Red and Blue has reached its final hour — that in his quest to hang a championship banner, his attempts are down to one.
“It’s Ivy title or bust for everyone on this team,” Sayin said. “We got so close the last two years … we just have to put everything together. We need to bring one back for Penn.”
Sayin’s Penn football journey has been defined by an unconquerable drive to climb the next rung on the ladder. But now, as he stands at the beginning of the end, he’s ready to reach the top.
Design by Sophia Liu, Emmi Wu
From 4-6 to Ivy League champs, the editors forecast the 2024 Penn football season
Sports editors Walker Carnathan, Vivian Yao, Sean McKeown, and Lucas Milgrim make their picks for the campaign ahead
WALKER CARNATHAN, VIVIAN YAO, SEAN MCKEOWN, AND LUCAS MILGRIM
Sports Editors and Deputy Sports Editors
WALKER CARNATHAN, SPORTS EDITOR
After a disappointing season in 2023, this year’s Quakers are back for revenge. Despite being one of the conference’s most talented teams a season ago — as evidenced by their number of All-Ivy selections, the Red and Blue were on the outside looking in from the championship party, finishing the year with a 3-4 conference record. Of the three teams that shared the crown, Penn soundly defeated one (Yale) and suffered nail-biting overtime losses against the other two (Dartmouth and Harvard). If you ask me, that is the mark of a team better than its record suggests.
This season, the Quakers return with much of their top talent, most notably their three offensive cornerstones: senior quarterback Aidan Sayin, junior wide receiver Jared Richardson, and sophomore running back Malachi Hosley.
Sayin and Richardson in particular should quickly find a home in new offensive coordinator Greg Chimera’s pass-happy offense, while Hosley poses a homerun-hitting ground threat that opponents cannot help but respect. That, coupled with a defense that allowed the second fewest yards in the conference, equals a team with championship upside. Penn will win the Ivy League title if … Their execution can be more consistent from game to game. If you only watched the Red and Blue travel to the Yale Bowl and dominate the Bulldogs last season, you might wonder how they weren’t the conference’s best team. Conversely, if you only watched them turn the ball over seven times in a season finale loss to Princeton, you may wonder how they ever won a game. Standardizing their performance will be critical for the Quakers — if they show up week
in and week out, so will the wins.
Predicted Record: 8-2
VIVIAN YAO, SPORTS EDITOR
New teams take time to gel. While roster turnover is normal in college football, this year’s Red and Blue is looking quite different. The defense will be missing its talisman: defensive lineman Joey Slackman, who last season became the first Quaker to win Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year since 2015. Slackman leaves a gap that will take the team a few games to fill.
On offense, the team is bringing back most of its talent. However, the offseason saw the departure of former offensive coordinator Dan Swanstrom for the head coaching position at Cornell. In comes former Johns Hopkins coach Greg Chimera. Even if the Ivy League isn’t on par with other Division I programs around the country, the step from D-III play to D-I play is
what, I believe them!
The talent on offense is undeniable, and with a new coordinator coming from a D-III program, it seems that the sky’s the limit. The foundation, though, has to be strong, and this year’s incoming offensive line provides exactly that. Stalwarts of the offensive line like junior Jake Bingham and senior William Bergin look to set the tone for a nasty line upfront that wants nothing more than to make holes for Hosley and to keep Sayin’s jersey clean.
And while I’m high on the potential the offense has, the defense isn’t a group to underestimate. It too features plenty of returning talent, like defensive backs fifth-year senior Shiloh Means and sophomore Devin Malloy in the secondary, and while some might be worried about the hole left by the departing Slackman, there are plenty of hungry defenders looking to fill his production.
Penn will win the Ivy League title if …
The offensive line can stand tall for Sayin and Hosley. The engine of the offense is the line upfront, and their performance is imperative to the team’s success.
Predicted Record: 9-1
LUCAS MILGRIM, DEPUTY SPORTS EDITOR
There are two ways for a team to build on a previous season: Grow and develop the talent they had the prior year, or bring in new personnel to strengthen the roster.
still significant. Expect plenty of growing pains as the offense gets used to the Chimera era.
Penn will win the Ivy League title if … Senior quarterback Aidan Sayin can limit his interceptions. Sayin is coming off a season where he recorded 12 interceptions — many of which cost the Quakers a win. If he gives his guys a chance to make plays, they will.
Predicted Record: 5-5
SEAN MCKEOWN, DEPUTY SPORTS EDITOR
Defense may win championships, but this year’s Quakers team is all about offense. After a 6-4 year with plenty of problems holding onto the ball — new offensive coordinator Greg Chimera comes in to set a new standard. Passing by players in between classes or on Walnut Street, I’ve heard one phrase over and over: We’re not going 6-4 again. And, you know
On the field, the Quakers will be relying on the former. Most key players will not be wearing the Red and Blue for the first time, including Sayin, Richardson, and Hosley on offense, as well as Malloy and senior defensive lineman Bryce Hall on the defense.
On the other hand, the coaching staff is hoping a new addition in Chimera will boost the turnover-happy offense. Penn lost the turnover battle 20-9 last year — Chimera will have to bring a ball-protecting culture to Franklin Field to maximize chances for the Quakers offense.
Penn will win the Ivy League title if …
The defense forces more turnovers. Averaging under one turnover a game, especially with an offense with turnover issues, won’t cut it. While some of this may be due to bad fumble luck (nine forced and only one recovered), the Quakers will need to improve to provide the offense with ample opportunity to succeed.
Predicted Record: 4-6
Design by Emmi Wu
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY EMMIANNA VAZHAEPARAMBIL | SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
Sports editors Sean McKeown, Vivian Yao, Walker Carnathan, and Lucas Milgrim pose in The Daily Pennsylvanian office on Sept. 17.
Penn in the NFL: The regular season kicks off
Checking in on the Quakers at the professonal level, from Justin Watson to Kevin Stefanski
VALERI GUEVARRA
Sports Associate
As a prideful energy returns to Philadelphia for the Eagles’ first home game of the season this past Monday, it’s only fitting for the Penn community to ride the wave of excitement and send some love to its alumni in the NFL.
Justin Watson, Wide Receiver, Kansas City Chiefs Watson graduated from Penn in 2018 and left with many accolades to his name. The Bridgeville, Pa. native is a three-time first team All-Ivy League honoree, twotime Ivy League champion, and still holds Penn’s career records in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns.
It’s fitting that one of the highest profile Penn football alumnus is also on one of the highest profile NFL teams. Watson is in his third season with the Chiefs and the second year of his contract with Kansas City. The three-time Super Bowl champion is coming off his best NFL season in receiving yards that culminated in, of course, a Super Bowl championship. With fellow wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown out for the regular season after a shoulder injury in the preseason, Watson will have to step up in a big way for the Chiefs this year.
The Chiefs won their first two games against the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals and now look forward to facing the Atlanta Falcons this Sunday for their Week 3 matchup.
Greg Van Roten, Guard, New York Giants
The 2012 Wharton graduate collected numerous awards during his time representing the Red and Blue. As a junior, Van Roten anchored the top rushing, scoring, and total offense in the
Ivy League, and he finished his career as a two-time Ivy League champion.
The Rockville Centre, N.Y. native is an NFL veteran and has hopped around the league in his 12 years and counting. This season is his first with the New York Giants, after one of his best NFL seasons last year with the Las Vegas Raiders under offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo, who also makes the move to New York this season. After a rough training camp, the Giants will hope that Van Roten and company can finally make something click after 12 years of offensive line rebuilding.
The Giants lost both of their first two games, and therefore hope to end this early slump when they visit the Cleveland Browns this Sunday.
Kevin Stefanski, Coach, Cleveland Browns
Speaking of the Browns, this Philadelphia native and 2004 College graduate had a quieter Penn career as a defensive back, but today makes as many headlines as other alumni. The two-time AllIvy selection enters his fourth year coaching for Cleveland. In his four years at the “Dawg Pound,” Stefanski has collected NFL Coach of the Year honors twice — first in 2020 and again last season. The Browns are coming off their second winning campaign under Stefanski and hope to continue that trend this year — even with some injuries plaguing the first two games of the year.
The Browns lost their first game against the Dallas Cowboys but rebounded and won their second game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. They are favored in their upcoming game against the New York Giants this Sunday at home.
Design by Katrina Itona
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY EMMI WU CHASE SUTTON | DP FILE PHOTO Penn alumnus and Kansas City wide receiver Justin Watson is now a -time NFL champion.
In Photos: Penn football up close
Take a closer look at a training session with Penn football ahead of its fall season.
Most Penn students sit on the bleachers, far away from the action of Franklin Field. This is your opportunity to see behind the scenes of game day up close: the repetitive drills, the dozens of scrimmage formations, and the
camaraderie on and off the field.
WEINING DING | SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
As spectators fill the bleachers of Franklin Field, players start their warm-up stretches with military-like synchronicity.
WEINING DING | SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
Junior defensive back Alec Wills stretches his arm out for a one-handed catch.
WEINING DING | SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER Once the air horn signifying the end of warm-ups goes off the players hustle to start their respective drills.
WEINING DING | SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER Sophomore and reigning Ivy League Rookie of the Year Malachi Hosley effortlessly pulls off catch after catch.
WEINING DING SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
Junior first-team All-Ivy wide receiver Jared Richardson celebrates after a play.
WEINING DING SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
The team cools off with some water in between drills.
WEINING DING SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
Senior quarterback Cole Spencer calls a play during a scrimmage drill for his teammates.
WEINING DING SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER Freshman defensive back Lawson Douglas runs with a football to the next station at practice.
9
PHOEBE
WEINTRAUB
Sports Associate
The temperatures have started to drop, signaling one thing: the start of football season. As Penn football’s season-opener approaches, the team has been increasing practices, both in quantity and intensity. But with the new season comes another change: newly nominated captains.
The 2023 season saw five seniors and juniors step up to lead the team, but this year, only three seniors lead the pack. The 2024 season captains are senior quarterback Aidan Sayin, who captained as a junior last year, senior defensive lineman Paul Jennings, and fifth-year senior defensive back Shiloh Means.
Despite the nomination in leadership positions, all three captains, along with coach Ray Priore, emphasized the leadership capabilities of all of the players on the roster. Captainship does not elevate a player in terms of game or importance on the field.
“[I] love the three young men we picked this year. They’re all very unique, great, talented
players, young men, and teammates,” Priore said. “… But we have a host of other seniors who’ve done a great job [as] fifth year[s], guys that are leading as well.”
AIDAN SAYIN
As the starting quarterback since halfway through his freshman season and a veteran captain, Sayin was a natural choice for this year’s group of captains. Still, he remains humble about his nomination.
“It means the world to me to be a captain,” he said. “… That’s what I want to be, someone to bring the level of play of my teammates up, [to] make everybody around me as good as possible.”
Besides improving his game, Sayin is focused on team goals, including “execution, getting the plays right, [and] … technique on certain plays.”
His consistency as a leader is something his teammates deeply appreciate and in which they place a lot of trust. Priore claimed that Sayin and his cocaptains will be able to see and
take care of issues that he and the other coaches don’t notice.
“What they’re able to do is bring out any issues that they see that we don’t see as coaches and bring it to our forefront,” Priore said. “… Our kids take care of each other. … They have each other’s back in every sense of the word.”
PAUL JENNINGS
Jennings was awarded an All-Ivy honorable mention last season, but to him, being a captain is much more special.
“It definitely feels great to reach the point where others see you as a leader and can trust in you to set the example every day,” Jennings said. “Everybody’s a leader in their own way.”
The 6-foot-4, 255-pound defensive lineman will lead a unit of 19 others in his position group. He is certainly pumped for the season, hoping to improve upon last year’s disappointing 6-4 record, but he is also looking forward to stepping up in his new role as captain.
“[I] definitely will be taking
a more vocal role with the team this year, making sure everybody’s putting their best foot forward every day,” Jennings said. “… We’re really excited to get prepped up for Delaware.”
In addition to setting a good example for the rest of the team, Jennings eagerly anticipates working with his co-captains. He emphasized that they have leadership on all sides of the ball, with Sayin’s experience on offense as a quarterback and his and Means’ role on defense.
Sayin agreed, claiming, “I think we’ll just do everything together. … One brain is not smarter than three.”
SHILOH MEANS
Rounding out the captains is fifth-year senior Shiloh Means.
The defensive back from Indianapolis views his new title as a challenge rather than an honor.
“It’s a challenge for me to hold myself accountable, like with everything that I do,” Means said.
“And I think it is nice for the guys to look to me to hold them accountable as well, because … they know that I’ll challenge
them.”
Starting in all 10 games, Means made 44 tackles last season, 23 of which were solo, and he led the team in interceptions. One of his standout performances was against Harvard on Nov. 11, 2023, in which game he contributed a seasonhigh of eight tackles.
While Sayin emphasized the importance of technique, Means’ primary focus as a captain is on the mental aspects of the game.
“I think that the actions of a captain and … someone who’s not a captain should be the same, because we should all have the same mentality.”
All three captains view their titles as an opportunity to set the standard. As Priore put it, rather than taking on an instructional role for the rest of the team, “these guys are their mentors. They’re guides to get them to that point in time and understand what the [football] program represents.”
The Quakers open up the football season with an away game against Delaware on Sept. 21. Design by Emmi Wu
ANNA VAZHAEPARAMBIL AND ABHIRAM JUVVADI | SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHERS
Now-senior Albert Jang crouches near the sideline in a game against Brown on Oct. 27, 2023.
Number notes: The meaning behind Penn football's jersey digits
From family and friends to personal inspirations, each player has a reason for their number
SEAN MCKEOWN AND EVAN STUBBS
Deputy Sports Editor and Sports Reporter
From high in the stands of Franklin Field’s 52,593-seat stadium, a jersey number is often the only thing differentiating one Penn football player from another.
As such, the number a Quaker chooses to wear — emblazoned in bold white font on both the front and back of the team jerseys, just beneath the Penn logo — often holds a special significance. From mentors to family, tradition to friendship, these are a few of the many stories behind those numbers.
No. 17 — Jared Richardson
For junior wide receiver Jared Richardson, wearing No. 17 on the field is a reminder of family and a tribute to his mother.
“Feb. 17 is my mom’s birthday," Richardson said. "[Family] is a big part of why I do what I do. My mom and dad, brother and sisters … that’s who I play for.”
No. 17 accompanies Richardson
to early-morning practices and late-night film sessions, providing a constant reminder of home and the motivation to keep going. During games, however, Richardson can find that inspiration in the bleachers.
“My parents have never missed a football game ever in my entire life," Richardson said. "Same thing with basketball when I was growing up; they have yet to miss a game.”
No. 7 — Bisi Owens
Junior wide receiver Bisi Owens traded for No. 7 to honor both his football and family role models. Owens’ history with the number dates back to high school, where he wore it as quarterback.
“Seven captures the similarities between my game and [former Philadelphia Eagle] Mike Vick’s," Owens said. "We’re both black quarterbacks, left handed, and very mobile.”
Now a wide receiver, Owens’ play style — defined by agility
and heads-up situational awareness — still harkens back to Vick’s quarterbacking. But beyond the player similarities, No. 7 also represents Owens’ family.
“I’m part of a pretty big family, eight of us total, including my parents," Owens said. "I’m the seventh by age, seven is important to me … I really wanted to get it for my junior and senior year.”
No. 41 — Ryan O’Connell Junior linebacker Ryan O’Connell wears No. 41 as tribute to Ronald Machen, who wore it while competing for the Stanford Cardinal. O’Connell cites Machen’s gameplay as foundational in his own athletic career.
“He did everything right as a player, and I aspire to be like him," Machen said. "His ferociousness, his drive on the field — he played with fire, and that’s how I model my game.”
In addition to an excellent college football career, Machen is also the former United States Attorney
for the District of Columbia and the father of Penn junior linebacker Kadari Machen.
No. 80 — Albert Jang
Senior kicker/punter Albert Jang currently wears No. 80, but in high school,Jang had chosen a more meaningful set of digits. Following his faith, Jang found meaning in No. 19.
“Nineteen, I used to do that for the bible verse Joshua 1.9,” Jang said.
The verse encourages people to “be strong and of a good courage” by relying on their strength and faith during hardship. For his current number, Jang has found a different benefit to its meaning.
“There's not necessarily a story behind that one,” Jang clarified. “It’s just that I get to walk around campus looking like a star receiver.”
No. 95 — Santiago Sturla
Junior kicker/punter Santiago Sturla, when asked about his jersey number, also had more to say about his highschool digits than his college number of 95. Ariving to the United States from his home country of Argentina later in life, Sturla found himself switching from fútbol to football. One of his neighbors ran a football program that both helped him acclimate to the United States and to his newfound sport — which prompted Sturla to honor him in game.
“My neighbor ran a youth football organization in my hometown,” Sturla said. “He wore 76, and when I first went out to play, he gave me his number.”
Similarly to his special teams teammate Jang, his current number was given to him with no other option — which leads to his hope for a change in the future.
“I didn’t really choose 95 — it’s pretty dusty,” Sturla said. “I mean, if it were up to me, I would change it — maybe a single-digit number would be pretty cool next year, if I have a good year this year.”
No. 62 — Jake Bingham
Junior offensive lineman Jake Bingham chose No. 62 to honor the legacy of Penn teammate Michael Gavin, who passed away last October after battling a rare form of cancer. Bingham and Gavin were high school teammates who bonded over a shared love of the game.
“[Gavin] was a nose guard, and I played center, so we faced each other every day," Bingham said. "We worked hard, made each other better, and ultimately both decided to come to Penn.”
Now, Bingham celebrates Gavin’s life by wearing his number.
“He was one of my best friends," Bingham shared. "I wear his jersey to carry on his legacy and keep his number on the field … I’m proud to be able to represent him."
Design by Insia Haque
ERICA MICHALÍKOVÁ | DP FILE PHOTO
Penn football's touchdown machine: The rise of Malachi Hosley
Hosley is coming off a record-breaking freshman season where he won Rookie of the Year
RAMBAUD
Sports Reporter
Run — don’t walk — this fall to see Penn football's sophomore running back Malachi Hosley run it back at Franklin Field.
Hosley is coming off the heels of a freshman season where he broke records and collected accolades: Ivy League Rookie of the Year, first team All-Ivy, FCS Football Central Freshman All-America. In his breakout game against Cornell, he had a program record 96 yards run to score a touchdown.
It was the freshman season most people dream about having.
“He [was] a talented player in high school, so when you take that high school film and put it to [the] college level and can see [his impact] that quickly in his first year with all the accolades he got with it,” coach Ray Priore said. “Those plays are made by some God-given talents.”
The lead up to his electric debut season comes years in the making. Hosley hails from Columbus, Ga. — a town less than an hour away from Auburn University and three hours away each from the University of Alabama and University of Georgia. There, the SEC and high school football culture dominates, making it the perfect stomping grounds for a young man who got his start as at three-year-old on a flag football team.
But ironically, in the south, Hosley’s favorite NFL team is located on the opposite side of the country: Seattle.
In the early 2010s, the Seattle Seahawks started rising within the league. Marshawn Lynch, nicknamed “Beast Mode,” was a huge factor in their success. He helped lead the Seahawks to a 2014 Super Bowl victory — and in doing so, became one of Hosley’s inspirations as a running
back. Today, Hosley also looks to Saquon Barkley of the Philadelphia Eagles and Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers as models for his play.
“[How] they can do it all, catch it out the backfield, go outside and catch so they’re on the field at all times, and they’re great runners,” Hosley said.
The running back position is all about versatility. Hosley has been adding to his skillset throughout the years, not just through training on the gridiron, but also through other sports. In high school, he competed for both the basketball and track and field teams. Both have been instrumental to his success on the field, adding moves like the spin move from basketball and developing his explosive speed.
But the technicalities that go into performing as a running back are not what Hosley values most about the position. Out of
all the reasons to love the role, Hosley loves that he can utilize his creativity so much in plays, finding ways to carve out first downs and touchdowns in the open space and backfield.
“My old coach used to say, ‘just go out and be yourself,’” Hosley said. “Just basically a way of just saying, ‘go play free, do you.’”
(And his least favorite part of being a running back? “There’s really nothing to hate about it, probably about how they’re underpaid in the league.”)
Whether he’s out on the field or in the locker room, Hosley strives every day to be a leader for the team. He gets the message across through his actions and levelheadedness on the field. It is the type of attitude that he will need to carry with him going into his sophomore season. This time, Hosley will be on everyone’s radar as a threat on the field.
“The key part to this is ‘you’re a good player, and everybody knows you’re a good player,’” Priore said. “Now it’s how you can keep yourself grounded and stay focused on what you need to get accomplished in terms of the scheme and everything else.”
As for the sophomore slump,
Hosley is not focused on the pressure of living up to his previous season, which earned him Penn’s first Ivy League Rookie of the Year honors since Miles Macik in 1993.
“I’m not worried about it,” Hosley said. “I just keep my head down and keep working and grinding every day just to be the best I can.”
Hosley has big goals, not just for himself, but for the whole team. After going 3-4 in Ivy League play last year, there are whispers questioning how Penn will perform this season. But Hosley is ready to show everyone that Penn will be the team to beat. And the teams he has circled on his calendar?
“Harvard and Princeton,” Hosley said immediately. He had strong performances at both — he scored two touchdowns against Harvard and had 138 total yards against Princeton, but they were overshadowed by one-possession losses.
It is not about what happened last season, but about what is about to unfold across the next two months.
Penn’s "Touchdown Machine" is back. And you do not want to miss out.
Design by Janine Navalta
KRISTEL
WEINING DING | SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
Sophomore running back Malachi Hosley poses with a football at Franklin Field on Sept. 17.
Penn football should schedule more marque non-conference opponents
CRAIN | A game against an FBS or Philadelphia area foe could help the Quakers and build fan excitement
CALEB CRAIN
Former Sports Editor
These last three weekends, before Penn football begins play in a few days, I’ve spent much of my Saturdays watching other college football games from across the nation. It’s been interesting to see how new coaches and players step onto the stage after an offseason largely, away from the public spotlight, and which teams are exceeding my expectations (Miami), and which are falling unfortunately short (Michigan).
But another thing that’s stuck out to me is the quantity and quality of non-conference games. For both of the teams mentioned above, I truly learned of their quality when they played a team outside of their conference. For the Hurricanes, a dominant victory on the road at Florida showed that they could be an ACC title contender. And the Wolverines’ loss versus Texas in week two revealed how much talent they’d lost since winning a National Championship last season.
It isn’t just in the FBS Power Four world that these marquee matchups occur. FCS saw plenty in 2024 as well. Montana visited North Dakota, and Incarnate Word faced South Dakota State. Closer to home, Youngstown State played Villanova in a rematch of the Wildcats’ win in last year’s FCS playoffs. All of this got me thinking about
Penn football’s out-of-conference slate. This year, the Quakers visit Delaware and host Colgate and Bucknell. If those names sound familiar, they should; Penn has played all of those schools at least once previously since 2014, and in the case of the Bison, this will be the fourth matchup in the last ten years.
But there is no reason why this consistency in non-conference opponents needs to continue.
Penn football should work to schedule a premier foe in its out-ofconference slate.
Firstly, this could help coach Ray Priore and his staff learn a lot about his team prior to the start of conference play. Since the 2016 season, the Quakers have played just one team ranked in the FCS poll in a non-conference game. While I know that some of this is out of Penn’s control, certain teams tend to be better than others year in and year out. A win against a good program could springboard the team’s morale from the first week of the season, and even a loss can have important lessons, especially with games against Harvard and Princeton traditionally towards the end of the season.
But the other benefit would be to increase fan engagement and excitement. The slate of non-conference opponents this year isn’t super exciting among students I’ve discussed this with in passing,
and attendance for early-season contests has been lackluster in the past (less than 2,500 people were at Franklin Field for an overtime thriller against Georgetown last year).
I’m not expecting Penn to schedule a behemoth like Penn State, as some students joke it should. The Nittany Lions have nearly concluded their non-conference slate already and have had their first bye week. Plus, a team like Penn State would be reluctant to leave home for an out-of-conference game, so I wouldn’t expect them to schedule a home-and-home series — how non-conference matchups are typically arranged — with the Quakers.
But there are teams closer to
home which could be viable. Penn and Villanova played 15 times between 1980 and 2015, and currently enjoy a spirited rivalry in many other sports. The Wildcats are close by and currently ranked fifth in FCS. A game like this could motivate fans to show out and has the chance to be quite competitive as well.
Another Philadelphia team — Temple — would pose an interesting prospect. The Owls play in the American Athletic Conference but are one of the lowest-graded teams in FBS, according to metrics like SP+. There are other teams in the Northeast — such as UMass, UConn, and Buffalo, which could make for an interesting FBS-FCS match.
The Ivy League does not participate in a postseason. All the Quakers have to show themselves are these ten games. And since the conference isn’t in the FCS playoffs and doesn’t have to worry about a ranking or poll to determine the conference title — that simply goes to the team with the best record — there’s no need for Penn to pad its record in the non-conference season. But it sets the tone for the season and allows coaches to observe players against actual opponents. So the Quakers should make the most of these games to build fan excitement and potentially team morale by scheduling more marquee non-conference opponents.
Design by Janine Navalta
DEREK WONG | SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
The Penn defensive line during pre-snap in a game against Georgetown on Oct. 7, 2023.
A deep dive into Penn football jerseys through the years
A look at how the Red and Blue's jerseys have changed since 1876
VIVIAN YAO Sports Editor
The end of September is quickly approaching, and with that, yet another season of Penn football is just around the corner.
It’s time to dust off the cobwebs of diehard Quakers fandom — which has certainly been lacking in recent years — for a traditionally and historically important program when it comes to the gridiron. If you’re scoffing at that statement, look no further than the red and blue that the Red and Blue don.
Franklin Field, the oldest football stadium in the nation, was completed in 1895, but by the time the Quakers took to the field within the stadium, the program had already secured 19 seasons of experience under its belt.
In fact, the Penn program’s humble beginnings preceded the invention of football helmets or headgear. Player numbers were a thing of the future, and so was the sense of fashion, as the plain white-on-white outfits were an interesting choice, to say the least.
Since their inaugural season in 1876, the Quakers have gone on to play 1,413 games — the most of any school at any division. Over those 148 years, the jerseys that
the Red and Blue wear on game days have seen their fair share of evolution, with new coaching regimes consistently bringing in new designs.
One of the staples of the modern-day Quakers outfit is the red and blue stripes. The earliest recorded appearance of these red and blue stripes on the physical jersey can be traced back to the 1882 team that donned long-sleeve shirts plastered with the nowiconic stripes. In the years leading up to this, the stripes had started to make an appearance, notably on the players’ socks.
With the invention of the football helmet in the mid-1890s and the development of the game on a national level, the Quakers uniform saw major changes as the millennium turned over. The first Quakers jersey that bears any form of resemblance to what the team reps today would be the 1935 edition.
The jersey design sported redand-blue-striped sleeves with a solid, navy blue body. On both the front and the back were white block numbers, and the helmet featured an alternating pattern of red and blue stripes as well. This age of Penn football also gave birth to alternate jerseys. Blue was the main
feature for the alternates, but when needed, the Quakers would also break out the dark reds.
When George Munger became the coach in 1938, he wasted no time making his mark on the program. Gone were the blue and red jerseys — and in its place were white jerseys with black numbers. The only thing unchanged were the red and blue striped sleeves and helmet. The era of only white jerseys would last all the way until 1956, three years after Munger’s last season at the helm.
While changes to the jersey design were limited during those two decades, the same couldn't be said about the helmets. In 1948, the helmets ditched the red and blue stripes, opting for a new design with a blue base encircling a dark red crown. For the 1954 and 1955 seasons, the Quakers touted red numbers, no red and blue stripes on the sleeves for the first time since they became a mainstay, and white helmets with a single stripe of red and blue down the middle.
If that imagery makes you shudder: good. Not only was the overall look questionable, the Quakers’ performance was abysmal, with the team winning exactly zero games across those two seasons. Unsurprisingly, the 1956 season
saw a return of the red and blue stripes. The dark blue jerseys with white numbers returned, and the white jerseys became the alternate instead. The helmets reverted to a navy blue base with a red and white stripe that spans the length.
The 1958 season marked the disappearance of long sleeves on the jerseys, opting for the shorter ones that have carried over to today. The only major change during this time frame was the addition of player numbers to the sides of the helmets. The numbers lasted just four seasons before they were once again removed from the helmet.
Between 1965 and 1980, the navy blue jerseys were once again phased out in favor of an all-red jersey with white numbers. The helmets were a matching red, with a white football outline with the Penn-P logo at the center of the ball. A similar version of this combination of jersey and helmet is now the current team’s alternate option, which was introduced in 2019 as a throwback to the teams of the ’70s to commemorate the 125th anniversary of Franklin Field.
The 1981 season saw the return of the navy blue jerseys as the team’s primary uniform, as well
as the more well known Penn-P emblem being on either side of a navy blue helmet. These uniforms marked the transition into the modern era of Penn football, and only minor changes have been made to the jersey since. Barring the 2013 season where the team reverted to an all red outfit, the team has only worn navy blue and white, with the occasional appearance of the red jersey as an alternate option — which brings us to today.
The Quakers will be taking the field against Delaware to open up their season this Saturday with kickoff scheduled for 6 p.m. Game-day threads have yet to be announced, but don’t be surprised to see the Red and Blue trot out not in those colors but in a clean, white jersey with navy blue numbers outlined in red. The Penn P returns on the navy blue helmets, with the whole look finished off by the Red and Blue stripes on the jersey sleeves that have become a main staple of the Quakers brand. Editor’s Note: This article could not have been possible without the dedicated passion of David Bailey and his meticulous Gridiron Garb website. His website was the source for all jerseys described in this article between 1938 and 2013. Design by Janine Navalta
PHOTOS FROM PENN ARCHIVE
A look ahead towards Penn football's season opener versus Delaware
The Quakers hope to cook up the Blue Hens in their first non-conference matchup of the year
TYLER RINGHOFER
Sports Associate
The QuakeShow is underway.
This weekend, the long-awaited start to Penn’s football season begins. The journey starts away from home with the Quakers facing the Delaware fighting Blue Hens (2-0) in a non-conference clash. The Blue Hens are off to a strong start, evident by their blowout wins against Bryant and North Carolina A&T. The Red and Blue are hoping to stifle the Hens and put a blue feather in their cap to start the year.
“It’s going to be a terrific atmosphere to play in. You’re going against, perhaps, one of the most talented teams that [we’ll] play this year,” said coach Ray Priore. “It’s just the combination [of their skill position players] that really gets you to raise your level. We hopefully also will come up with a great victory.”
As with any season opener,
there will be a mix of nerves and excitement. Penn will come into the game fresh, having not played yet this season. With this in mind, Priore believes that the team will succeed, despite their precarious situation, by weathering the first quarter.
“[Delaware] will have an advantage. No doubt about that. [Delaware will] have two games played before we step on the field. So, there’s going to be that first game [experience],”
Priore said. “I’ve used the word jitters, but opportunities that our kids have to acclimate themselves relatively fast, okay, to get themselves ready to play the game.”
The last time the Quakers faced Delaware was in 2019, when the Blue Hens snuck out a victory over Penn by a final score of 28-27. This time around, the Quakers will face a scorching hot Blue Hen offense that put up 48 and 42 points in their previous two games.
Spectacular quarterback play from Delaware’s Ryan O’Connor has been the key. O’Connor tallied four touchdowns in their first win against Bryant and added a touchdown through the air and on the ground against North Carolina A&T. In order to stop Delaware’s high-flying offense, Penn’s defense will need to figure out a way to limit O’Connor’s production.
Further, to keep up with Delaware’s offense, the Quakers will also need to generate some points. To do this, offensive coordinator Greg Chimera hopes to get sophomore running back Malachi Hosley and junior wide receiver Jared Richardson going early in the game. With Hosley in the back field and Richardson out wide, senior quarterback Aiden Sayin will look to utilize the team's explosiveness and bigplay ability to move the sticks.
Like last year, the Quakers aim to get a win in their opening game while also preparing themselves for the rest of the season. While it is no small task to get a win against a team like Delaware away from home, the team understands that the experience they gain from this tough matchup will help them make the necessary adjustments moving forward.
“We just want to play hard, brand the football, play small, play hard, and make sure we're
doing all the little things right,” Priore said. “If we do that, then that still will snowball to a great second week, third week, and fourth week, but getting excited about the first, the first one.”
You’re going against perhaps one of the most talented teams [we’ll] play this year.
RAY PRIORE Head Coach
Although starting off strong last year didn’t necessarily translate towards the middle and latter parts of the season, I expected Penn to come out ready to show why early games are just as important as those later on.
Design by Katrina Itona
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY EMMI WUSON NGUYEN | DP FILE PHOTO Penn football played Delaware on Sep. 21, 2019.
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