PHILADELPHIA – Playing its final game of the 2023 season, the University of Pennsylvania football team closes out its home slate Saturday at Franklin Field against rival Princeton at 1 p.m.
 
The Quakers (6-3, 3-3 Ivy) and Tigers (4-5, 3-3 Ivy) were both ousted from Ivy League title contention following overtime losses to Harvard and Yale, respectively, last weekend but are playing in the 114th meeting of one of the most anticipated games of the year.
 
It's also a special day for the Penn football program, recognizing 37 members of its senior class with a pre-game ceremony.
 
GAME 10 – PENN vs. PRINCETON
Military Appreciation Day presented by PNC Bank
Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023 | 1 p.m.
Franklin Field | Philadelphia, Pa.
Watch Live on ESPN+ ($)  |  Listen Live (QAN)  |  Live Stats
Penn Game Notes (PDF)  | Princeton Game Notes (PDF)
 

The Princeton Series
There is no rivalry quite as intense on Penn's schedule like the one it has with Princeton. Saturday marks the 114th meeting between the two storied programs. The Tigers have posted a 69-43-1 mark in the all-time series while the Quakers are looking to even the series at Franklin Field. Princeton is 21-20-1 all-time in Philadelphia. The Tigers have claimed six of the last 10 meetings but the Red and Blue are seeking a second consecutive win after a thrilling victory last since in Old Nassau.
 
Last Meeting With Princeton
On a dramatic, last-minute drive that included three fourth-down conversions, Aidan Sayin threw a five-yard touchdown pass to Trey Flowers with five seconds remaining to push Penn past #22 Princeton, 20-19, in the season finale Saturday at Princeton Stadium. The Quakers were down after three quarters, 19-7, but scored 13 unanswered points in the fourth quarter for the win. With Yale beating Harvard earlier in the day, Penn's last-second win spoiled the Tigers' chance to share the Ivy title with the Bulldogs. The Quakers were down in the second quarter, 12-0, but scored improbably when Francesco Barone blocked a punt and Jordan Niles fell on the ball in the end zone for a touchdown. Sayin completed 81 percent of his passes (38-for-47) for 261 yards and two touchdowns. Rory Starkey, Jr. closed out his Penn career with 12 catches for 95 yards. On defense, Jack Fairman led the way with 10 total tackles, Garrett Morris added seven and Jonathan Melvin, Micah Morris and Jake Heimlicher each recorded sacks. With the victory, the Quakers won eight games for the first time since 2010.
 
The Quakers' Last Time Out
In one of the most thrilling football games in recent memory, Penn couldn't quite get past #19/24 Harvard, fallling 25-23 in three overtimes Saturday afternoon in Cambridge. Overcoming a 10-point second-half deficit, the Quakers forced OT after the Crimson missed a 30-yard field goal with 2:15 remaining—the conclusion of a near-nine minute drive—and Albert Jang's 59-yard attempt was blocked as time expired in regulation. Graham Gotlieb booted a 36-yarder to strike first and the Quaker defense stopped the Crimson three times at the 1 to make them settle for an 18-yard try. Logan Nash picked off Jaden Craig to open the second OT, but Gotlieb missed a 36-yarder left which would have been the game-winner. Penn was unsuccessful on converting its two-point try to begin the third OT, while Harvard pulled off the 'Philly Special' to come away with the victory, a share of the Ivy League title.
 
Making History
Not only did freshman running back Malachi Hosley earn his fourth Ivy League Rookie of the Week honor of the season on Monday, but he also joined Justin Watson (2015-17) as the only two Quakers with five career Ivy weekly awards. Hosley had yet another magnificent performance against the Crimson on Saturday, totaling 109 yards on 22 carries and two touchdowns to lead the offense. It's his second consecutive 100+ rushing yard game after recording 261 yards on the ground in a win over Cornell two weekends ago. In eight games this season, Hosley has 604 yards and seven touchdowns, good for second and third, respectively, among Ancient Eight backs.
 
No Slacking Off
Joey Slackman has been legit this season for the Quakers, leading the Ivy League in tackles for loss with 12 while playing all nine games in 2023. He added another against the Crimson on Saturday, making it three consecutive games with at least one TFL. In 28 games since walking on after a season Penn's wrestling team, Slackman has totaled 25 TFLs (for a loss of 91 yards) with 11 sacks, giving himself quite the football career in University City.
 
It's More Than Just Passing
For the second straight game, Penn failed to record a passing touchdown. However, the Quakers have gotten it done on the ground the last two games totaling 264 rushing yards following the outstanding performance from Hosley against Cornell and a 109-yard performance from the freshman against Harvard.
 
Kicking Off
Penn's going to miss Gotlieb when he graduates next spring, especially after a how solid and consistent his 2023 season has been. He's 14-for-17 on field-goal tries this year after converting three against Harvard on Saturday, becoming the first Quaker since 2021 to tally at least three. He's closing in on the single-season record for field goals made, two away from Andrew Samson's 16 in 2008. One more field goal for Gotlieb would tie him for second at 15 with Rich Friedenberg (1988) and Jason Feinberg (1999-2000).
 
Defensively Sound
Penn's defense remains one of the top defensive units in the country with just one game remaining We saw it last season when Jake Heimlicher led the Ivy League in sacks and we're seeing it this season again with the Quakers ranked 15th in the nation in total defense (307.0 ypg).Associate Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator Bob Benson has done a fantastic job in working with his personnel this year. Slackman leads the Ivy League in tackles for loss with 12.0, Jack Iuliano is sixth at 8.0. Both Slackman and Iuliano are tied for third in the Ancient Eight with four sacks each, while Penn's leading tackler Jack Fairman is eighth in total stops (65).
 
First-Half Team
Some teams are second-half teams, but under head coach Ray Priore, the Quakers start fast and finish most games. After leading the Big Red 16-0 at halftime two weeks ago en route to a 23-8 victory, Penn is now 37-2 overall when leading at the half under Priore's direction, 18-0 at Franklin Field and 23-1 in Ivy League play. The numbers expand even more when factoring in a lead after third quarter, going 41-1 overall, 21-0 at home and 23-1 in conference contests.
 
Senior Day
For the second straight season, Penn will honor an incredible amount of seniors, taking the field before Saturday's contest with Princeton to be recognized. This year, the Quakers have 36 members of the senior class. Among those are four captains - Josh Casilli, Jonathan Melvin, Slackman and Kendren Smith.
 
Playing For MG
Sophomore defensive lineman Michael Gavin passed away on Oct. 14 at the age of 20 after battling a rare, incurable form of brain cancer. Despite learning of his diagnosis in June 2022, Gavin decided he wanted to fight the disease as a Penn student-athlete and became a deeply respected member of both the academic and athletic communities. In the 2022-23 academic year, Gavin received the Coach Lake Award, awarded to the player who demonstrates leadership, team spirit and unwavering Penn pride. The Hun School and Penn teammate Jake Bingham will wear No. 62 in honor of Gavin for the remainder of the 2023 season.
 
Follow The Action
Saturday's season finale will be streamed live on ESPN+ with Joe Tordy (PxP) and Penn Athletics Hall of Famer Joe Valerio C'91 (analyst) on the call. Matt Leon (PxP) and Hench Murray (analyst) will do the honors for Quaker Audio Network. Live stats will be provided through pennstats.com.