PHILADELPHIA – Coming off a tough defeat in the Ivy League opener at Dartmouth last weekend, the University of Pennsylvania football team returns home to Franklin Field in the first of three straight games in University City, hosting Bucknell on Community Day, presented by PNC Bank.
 
The Quakers (1-2, 0-1 Ivy) are looking for their 10th consecutive victory over the Bison (3-2, 1-0 Patriot) since 2003, who are coming off a bye week following a thrilling double-overtime win at Lehigh two weekends ago. Penn is 32-5 all-time against Bucknell in a series that dates back to 1895.
 
In partnership with Penn's Office of Government and Community Affairs, Penn Athletics welcomes West Philadelphia schools, church groups, youth teams, and community groups to historic Franklin Field for Community Day.
 
GAME 4 – PENN vs. BUCKNELL
Community Day presented by PNC Bank
Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024 | 1 p.m.
Franklin Field | Philadelphia, Pa.
Watch Live on ESPN+ ($)  |  Listen Live (QAN)  |  Live Stats | Tickets
Game Program | Penn Game Notes (PDF)  | Bucknell Game Notes (PDF)
 

The Bucknell Series
It's been a lopsided affair between Penn and Bucknell since the series began back in 1895. The Quakers hold a 32-5 series edge and have won nine consecutive games against the Bison dating back to 2003. In addition, Penn is 25-3 against Bucknell at Franklin Field with the only losses coming in 1966, 1967, and 1999. A win today will also mark eight straight wins over Patriot League opponents since Oct. 9, 2021.
 
Last Meeting With Bucknell
A 20-point third quarter put Penn in complete control, the Quakers using 515 total yards of offense to leave Lewisburg with a 37-21 victory last year. Armed by an eight-yard pass from Aidan Sayin to Alex Haight and an 18-yard Graham Gotlieb field goal, the Quakers entered halftime with a 10-0 lead. That's when the Red and Blue got to work, as backup QB Liam O'Brien scampered into the end zone on a two-yard run and Jared Richardson hauled in a pair of touchdown grabs—including a 40-yard pass from Sayin—to balloon Penn's lead to 30-7 heading into the final stanza. Jonathan Mulatu put a final mark on the contest with a one-yard TD run in the fourth. Sayin recorded his first career 300-yard passing game with 354 yards and three touchdowns, Richardson caught 12 passes for 139 yards and two TDs—earning Ivy League Offensive Player of the Week—while the defense held the Bison to just eight yards rushing.
 
Ancient Eight Setback
Dartmouth handed Penn a defeat in the first Ivy League contest of the season for both teams, topping the Quakers 20-17 Saturday in Hanover. The Red and Blue held onto a 14-10 halftime lead before the Big Green scored 10 points in the second half and milked the clock for 10:30 on a 20-play, 74-yard drive to close the afternoon. Kadari Machen paced the Penn defense for 15 tackles (with eight solos), adding a TFL and a pass breakup, while freshman defensive lineman David McMorris forced a fumble late in the first half. Malachi Hosley saw his streak of five-straight games with 100 yards come to an end after recording 82 yards on 15 carries and both of Penn's touchdowns.
 
Leading Rusher
Hosley may have failed in his attempt to become Penn's first running back since 1996 (Jasen Scott) to record six straight 100-yard games, but he did score his first two TDs of the season Saturday against the Big Green. Heading into the non-conference finale, Hosley is pacing all Ivy rushers in almost every category including carries (58), yards (389), yards per attempt (6.7) and yards per game (129.7). On top of that, he remains fifth in FCS football in rushing yards per game, sixth in all-purpose yards per game (142.7), and 21st in rushing yards per carry.
 
It's Looking Much Different
We're just a full week into the start of conference play in the Ivy League and the top of the table looks a lot different than it did when the preseason poll was released, as the top four teams—Yale, Harvard, Penn, and Princeton—came out of the weekend 0-1 and the bottom four teams—Dartmouth, Brown, Cornell, and Columbia—enter Week 4 tied atop the standings at 1-0. Dartmouth is the only unbeaten team remaining in the Ancient Eight at 3-0, its best start to a season since 2021.
 
Fifty For Priore
George A. Munger Head Coach Ray Priore remains a win shy of his 50th in charge of the Penn football program heading into Saturday's matchup with Bucknell. He's currently tied for fifth in program history at 49 wins with Louis Young (1923-29). A victory over the Bison would put him in sole possession of fifth place all-time behind just Carl Williams (60; 1902-07), George Munger (82; 1938-53), George Woodruff (124; 1892-1901), and the all-time winngest head coach and recent Penn Athletics Hall of Fame inductee Al Bagnoli (148; 1992-2014).
 
Keepin An Eye On Kadari
You will need to remember Kadari Machen's name as we progress through the remainder of this 2024 season. The junior linebacker has excelled in his second full season starting at SAM, leading the Quakers in total tackles with 26.0 through the first three games. Against Dartmouth last weekend, Machen recorded 15 total stops—on eight solos—the most by a Quaker since 2022 (Garrett Morris, 15 vs. Brown).
 
He's not only excelling as a member of Penn's roster, but he's also one of the Ivy League's leaders in total tackles, currently second behind Yale's Abu Kamara (33.0). His 13 solo stops are tied for third in the league. The Ancient Eight leader—again, it's Kamara—has a mind-blowing 28 solos, which also lead the nation.
 
Shrine Bowl Watch For Shiloh
After a stellar season in 2023 which earned him first-team All-Ivy laurels, senior defensive back Shiloh Means was one of four Ivy Leaguers named to the East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 list heading into the season.
 
So far this year, Means ranks third on the team in total tackles with 21 while tying for first in pass breakups with two through the first three games of the season. In 32 career games for the Red and Blue, he has 137 total tackles and 81 solos, adding 24 pass breakups and four interceptions.
 
Just A Couple Turnovers
Penn is one of nine teams in FCS football tied for first in turnovers lost, turning the ball over just twice so far in 2024. Both of those turnovers—interceptions for Sayin—occurred in the season opener at Delaware on Sept. 21.
 
Heading into Week 4 last season, the Quakers turned the ball over six times through the first three games, tripling this year's total.
 
Scouting The Bison
Bucknell had a bye built into its calendar last weekend, and it was much needed, too. The Bison needed two OTs to beat Lehigh, 38-35, at Goodman Stadium on Sept. 28. That victory puts them in the driver's seat in the Patriot League standings early on in the campaign.
 
Quarterback Ralph Rucker IV leads the Patriot League in touchdown passes with 10 through the first five games of the season. He's passed for 1,025 yards and has completed 66.4 percent of his passes, tied for second in the conference.
 
Receiver Eric Weatherly's 321 yards rank fifth in the Patriot League, while his team-lead tying three TDs (with Josh Gary) are good for a tie for third.
 
Linebacker Gavin Willis has been a force on the defensive end for the Bison, totaling 47 tackles, tied for third in the conference. He also has two sacks, tied with teammate Brad Jamison and one behind Brandon Biagiarelli (three).
 
Penn in National Rankings
The Quakers continue to be one of the nation's leading teams in a variety of categories as we enter Week 4 on the calendar.
 
Penn ranks first in FCS football in fourth-down conversion percentage (1.000), fourth in fewest penalties (12), sixth in kickoff return yards per attempt (26.8), seventh in tackles for loss allowed (3.33),  eighth in first downs defense (60), and 10th in red-zone defense (.667)
 
Individually, Malachi Hosley is fifth in rushing yards per game (129.7) and sixth in all-purpose yards per game (142.67). Julien Stokes is currently 10th in kickoff return yards per game (27.5) and 13th in receptions per game (6.0). Placekicker Sam Smith has burst onto the scene ranked 19th in the nation in field goals per game (1.33).
 
Preseason All-Ivy
Announced by Phil Steele on August 2, eight Quakers earned Preseason All-Ivy honors led by first-teamers RB Malachi Hosley, WR Jared Richardson, TE Bryce Myers, LB Jack Fairman, LB John Lista, and DB Shiloh Means. DL Paul Jennings and LB Kadari Machen earned spots on the second team.
 
Hey, Coaches!
Priore added four new faces to his coaching staff with Greg Chimera (offensive coordinator), Marvin Clecidor (defensive backs), Jordan Johnson (running backs), and David Josephson (tight ends) coming to University City.
 
Follow The Action
Joe Tordy (Play-by-Play) and Penn Athletics Hall of Famer Joe Valerio C'91 (analyst) returns to the microphone for the broadcast on ESPN+. Gabby DiPaula will serve as the sideline reporter. On the airwaves, Matt Leon (play-by-play) and Hench Murray (analyst) provide the radio call on the Quaker Audio Network (QAN). Live stats will be provided through pennstats.com.
 
For the latest on Penn football, follow @PennFB on X (formerly Twitter), @PennFootball on Instagram, and on the web at PennAthletics.com.