Quakers the Hoyas 42 – 39, Ivy League Games Await
October 7, 2023 –
In their final non-conference action the University of Pennsylvania started slow, but picked up the pace to defeat the Georgetown Hoyas 42 – 39 at Franklin Field. The Hoyas took the lead in the first overtime, but the Quakers responded when freshman running back Malachi Hosley ran for a six-yard touchdown for the victory.
Penn had a sixteen point late in the third quarter. Georgetown scored twice in the fourth and added a pair of two-point conversions to send the game into extra possessions. The Red and Blue persevered.
“When you win a game like this, it’s great,” said Penn Coach Ray Priore. “When you lose a game like last week, wow. What does that take you through? And you want to make sure that you’ll learn from the loss. You got to learn, build, and grow from those experiences, and hopefully our team has continued to do it.”
Overtime
The Hoyas nearly turned the ball over by a fumble, but recovered to set up a 49-yard field goal attempt by back-up kicker Patrick Ryan. He got just enough of the ball to get it over the crossbar for a 39 – 36 lead. Now it was Penn’s turn. Hosley ran the ball for 3 of the 4 plays.
“I want to thank the coaches for giving me this opportunity, trusting me as a freshman which usually doesn’t happen,” Hosley said.
Fourth Quarter Comeback by Georgetown
Going into the fourth quarter a six-yard touchdown run by sophomore quarterback Liam O’Brien gave the Quakers a 36 – 20 lead. Penn appeared to be in control, but Georgetown had a different perspective.
Running back Joshua Stakely scored on runs of 6-yards and 1-yard. After each score the Hoyas converted a two-point conversion to tie the game with 1:22 to play.
Starting on their own 40 yard line the Quakers hoped to end the game in regulation. But the offense could not advance the ball more than 5 yards. Penn opted to try to win the game with a 62-yard field goal attempt with the wind by Albert Jang, who kicked a 47-yarder earlier. The kick was short.
Penn Offense Got Going in the Second Quarter
Georgetown took a 7 – 0 lead early in the second quarter. In the first neither team could generate much offense as they totaled less than100 yards gained.
Penn answered back by getting passing plays down field. A 22-yard reception by junior tight end Bryce Myers set up the Quakers in the red zone. O’Brien capped the drive with a 3-yard touchdown run to tie the score at 7.
That began a string of four consecutive possessions where the Red and Blue put points on the scoreboard. Penn drive junior quarterback Aidan Sayin found senior wide receiver Joshua Cassilli over the middle for a 22-yard touchdown catch and run, the first scoring reception for Cassilli this season.
The Quakers set the tone for the next drive when Sayin threw the ball to Hosley who broke numerous tackles on the way to a 55-yard completion setting the ball at the Georgetown 10 yard line. Senior kicker Brian Gottlieb was good on a 23-yard field goal. Jang ended the half with a field goal and a 20 -13 lead.
Defense Contributes
The defense contributed with two interceptions in the third quarter. Senior safety Shiloh Means intercepted his second pass of the season. Later in the stanza sophomore linebacker John Lista turned in his initial pass pick-off on 2023. Penn made the turnover costly when Hosley used his shiftiness for a 20-yard touchdown run and a 29 – 13 lead at the 5:54 mark.
Up Next
Penn travels to New York to play Columbia. The lessons learned from the past two weeks is simple.
“Be prepared to win on the last play of the game,” said Priore.
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com
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