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2021 Football Coverage
From HoyaSaxa.com game recaps. Links to other contemporary coverage may be out of date.
Game #1: Delaware St. (Sep. 11)
Ninety four weeks is a long time, so they took a little longer.
Georgetown came back from 14 down in the second quarter and forced overtime, where a blocked field goal led the Hoyas to a 20-14 win at Delaware State , Georgetown's first game since the end of the 2019 season.
Georgetown's first game in over a year and half was bound to show signs of rust, but the offense showed particular struggle early in this game, and the two teams traded punts throughout a scoreless first quarter. The Hoyas' first serious drive of the game advanced to midfield late in the first quarter, but a pass from Georgetown QB Joseph Brunell sailed long at the DSU 30 and was picked off by DB David Bowman, and appeared to put a spark in an equally unproductive DSU offense to date. On the series, DSU quarterback Tylik Bethea converted a 17 yard pass on third and seven to drive into Georgetown territory, and followed it up with a 17 yard run by freshman Sy've Wilkerson and a 15 yard pass to WR Trey Gross to end the quarter in the Georgetown red zone. On the first play of the second quarter, Wilkerson ran 11 yards for the score, 7-0.
The Hoyas began a difficult second quarter in a strange six play, negative yardage drive that forced a punt from its end zone, offering the Hornets a short field at the Georgetown 37. Bethea needed just four plays to convert, with a 14 pass to WR Jerrish Halsey for a 14-0 lead.
Georgetown's next three drives were ineffective, combining for 15 yards in nine plays, no drive lasting more than two minutes. The teams traded punts in its next series, and after a 48 second, there play drive for GU, the Hoyas punted back to the Hornets with 57 seconds to halftime. On a first and ten at the GU 46, Bethea was intercepted by DB Justin Fonteneaux, and the Hoyas caught a big break.
Time was tight but for the first time in this game, the Hoyas were not. Brunell picked up sophomore rookie Asante Das for 29 yards to the DSU 17, and then found WR Sergio Portobanco in the corner of the end zone for a 17 yard touchdown with 0:04 on the clock. Despite a half which saw GU combine for five first downs and just 17 yards rushing, they were still in the game, 14-7.
In its season opening win versus Bowie State, Delaware State saw a big early lead wither in the second half, and early signs pointed to a similar outcome in this one. On Georgetown's second drive of the second half, Brunell led the Hoyas on a 5 play, 66 yard drive, capped by a 36 yard touchdown pass to senior Cameron Crayton to tie the score at 14.
Outside of this drive, however, the teams reverted to stalemate in the third quarter, combining for 43 yards between them over six series. GU appeared to be in position for another strong drive in the third, but an intentional grounding penalty at the DSU 34 scuttled its best scoring opportunity for th remainder of tgeh third quarter.
The Hornets took over with 36 seconds in the third quarter and executed its longest drive of the day, a 13 play drive that consumed nearly seven minutes, converting on a pair of third downs and earning a first down on a Georgetown penalty on fourth down. The Hornets advanced to the Georgetown 34 before the penalty bug returning ther disfavor, via an intentional grounding call. Then, on a 3rd and 15, backup quarterback E.J. Cole fumbled the ball during a sack, which was recovered by Georgetown's Isaiah Byrd at midfield with 8:47 to play.
The Hoyas were back in business, and a 26 yard pass to Crayton put Georgetown in field goal range at the DSU 24. A 25 yard field goal attempt with 5:30 to play was deflected and sailed left. The Georgetown defense held the Hornets in check and returned the ball back with 2:17 to play, whereupon the Hoyas caught a sizable break in the final minute of play.
Taking over at its 20, the Hoyas could muster no yardage, and a 4th and 18 at the GU 12 forced a punt. A 39 yard punt was returned by the Hornets to midfield with a minute to play, setting up a short field and a legitimate field goal opportunity. However, the Hornets were penalized for leaping at the punter, negating the kick and allowing Georgetown to run the clock out at regulation.
In the overtime, everything came together. The Hoyas' defense held the Hornets without a first down, forcing a field goal attempt which Fonteneaux blocked. On its possession, the Hoyas' Joshua Stakely took over with consecutive runs of 5, 4, 11 and 5 yards to crash the end zone and earn the victory, its first overtime game since defeating Lehigh in 2018.
Brunell finished the game 18 for 32 and 197 yards, and was sacked four times. Stakely's 25 yards of offense in the overtime accounted for most of his 43 yards for the day, best among a GU rushing corps that combined for just 48. Defensively, fifth year standouts Justin Fonteneaux and Ahmad Wilson combined for 24 tackles. Georgetown held Delaware State to three third down conversions in 15 attempts, and just one in the first three quarters of action.
For the game, GU managed just 245 yards overall, but the last five counted above all the rest.
Game statistics:
GEORGETOWN DEL. ST
First downs 12 15
Rushed-yards 32-48 35-136
Passing yards 197 158
Sacked-yards lost 0-0 1-3
Passes 18-33-1 17-28-1
Punts 9-41.7 9-33.7
Fumbles-lost 0-0 1-1
Penalties-yards 8-56 10-79
Time of possession 27:53 32:07
Game #2: Harvard (Sep. 18)
Looking none the worse for wear after an 18 month absence, the Harvard Crimson ran over Georgetown 44-9 before a boisterous crowd at the reconstructed Cooper Field.
Harvard did not take long to make its presence felt. On the third play of the game, RB Aidan Bourguet picked up where he left off in the 2019 Ivy finale, skating past the Georgetown front line and taking off 66 yards for the opening score, 7-0. After a punt by the Hoyas on its opening series, Harvard took over at the 11:06 mark, driving 75 yards in eight plays, aided by two GU pass interference calls. There was no interference on the final play of the drive, a 31 yard touchdown pass from QB Charlie Dean to WR Kaedyn Odermann.
But it was the Georgetown defense that stirred the 2,509 at Cooper Field when Isaiah Byrd blocked the extra point and Jovone Campbell took off with the ball at the 30, racing 70 yards for a two point bonus and Georgetown's first defensive score of the season, 13-2.
The defensive stand seemed to rally the Hoyas on offense, as QB Joseph Brunell went to work in the air. Brunell found WR Cameron Crayton for 17 yards, Asante Das for two passes of of 12 and 24 yards, and a 15 yard pass to RB Joshua Tomas in the end zone, bringing the Hoyas back to 13-9 with just ten minutes elapsed in the game.
Georgetown needed a stop and it simply wasn't there. While the Hoyas were without starters Owen Kessler and Quincy Chunwuko on the line, Harvard was running the ball with ease. RB Aaron Shampklin, in his first action since 2018, rushed twice for 15 yards to get the Crimson to midfield. On a third and nine, Dean found WR Kim Wimberly for 17 yards to the GU 36, setting up Shampklin to pop through the line and Harvard extended the lead to 20-9.
The Hoyas needed another answer. Entering the second quarter, the Hoyas went big in the air once again, with Brunell finding Crayton for 40 yards to the Harvard 25.
GU faced a third and three at its 28 but were stuffed at the line of scrimmage, a familiar refrain all game. Opting for a first down instead of a field goal, Brunell was sacked on fourth down.
Harvard was back on the move, with a Georgetown roughing the passer penalty that brought the Crimson into GU territory. The drive stalled at the 25, where Harvard settled for q 42 yard field goal, and a 23-9 lead.
The Hoyas held the ball for less than two minutes on its next drive, punting it back to the Crimson with nine minutes to halftime. Harvard stayed on the ground for five of of its six plays in a 85 yard drive, capped by a 59 yard Shampklin run, 30-9.
Back came the Hoyas for its last serious drive into Harvard territory. A 33 yard pass from Brunell to Crayton to the HU 36, and converted on a third down into the red zone. On a fourth and four at the Harvard 11, Brunell missed Tomas, and the Hoyas ended the first half down 30-9, combining for 202 yards passing and just eight yards on the ground. By comparison, Harvard had rushed for 238 yards with three touchdowns and passed for a fourth, as Georgetown surrendered its most points by halftime since the 2017 season.
The Crimson (1-0) added two touchdowns in the third quarter and had a third TD called back after a call was overturned by officials. Georgetown spent the second half in slow motion, with four punts, two failed fourth down conversions, and a Brunell interception at the Georgetown 26 which setup the first Harvard touchdown of the second half.
Brunell finished the game 20 for 37 for 249 yards before suffering a foot injury midway through the fourth quarter. The passing game was more than competitive but Georgetown had no running attack, and was outgained 335 to six, led by Shampklin's 183 yards and three touchdowns.
Six yards, as much as anything, tells the story of Georgetown's results on the ground and the Harvard defense which made it happen, the key stat in its fifth win over Georgetown in as many games.
The win marked Tim Murphy's 179th win at Cambridge, tying him with Yale's Carm Cozza (1965-1996) for the most wins by an Ivy League coach.
Game statistics:
HARVARD GEORGETOWN
First downs 22 16
Rushed-yards 40-335 31-6
Passing yards 117 265
Sacked-yards lost 6-33 1-5
Passes 15-27-0 22-39-1
Punts 5-32.2 6-39.5
Fumbles-lost 1-0 1-0
Penalties-yards 5-30 3-25
Time of possession 40:33 39:27
Points off turnovers 7 0
Game #3: Columbia (Sep. 25)
A series of defensive struggles spoiled a 368 yard passing debut from QB Pierce Holley as Columbia defeated Georgetown 35-24 at Wien Stadium.
Early signs were promising for Georgetown, but the Hoyas failed to capitalize. On the second play of the game, Delano Salgado forced a Columbia fumble that set up the Hoyas at midfield, but GU punted it back without any significant gain. On Columbia's next series, a punt to the Lions' 41 set up a short field, but a pair of incompletions by Holley spoiled the drive.
From this point, however, Holley's confidence began to grow and in a turn from recent games, it was the offense, not the defense, which carried the Hoyas in this one.
Columbia set the tone of the game on its third drive. On a first and ten from its 36, quarterback Joe Green found WR Meyer Willis for 46 yards to the GU 18, and three rushes later had given the Lions its first lead, 7-0. Georgetown's next drive stalled at midfield, and on its next series RB Dante Miller started the action with a 63 yard sprint to the Georgetown 22. With a change in quarterback, Columbia's Ty Lenhart rushed two times for 12 yards to extend the lead late in the first quarter, 14-0.
Holley rallied the Hoyas in the first series of the second quarter. He found Liam McHale on the first play of the drive into Columbia territory. GU advanced inside the Columbia when RB Joshua Stakely rushed four consecutive plays, including converting on fourth down at the Lions four, to bring the Hoyas back to 14-7. The good feelings were short lived, when the special teams allowed Will Allen a 92 yard kickoff return, 21-7.
Back came the Hoyas. Holley went long distance to Cameron Crayton for 45 yards in a nine play, 83 yard drive, with Holley taking it in from six yards, 21-14. The Hoyas closed the half on a 42 yard Conor Hunt field goal, 21-17, while a similar series from Columbia saw its field goal attempt carom off the post with 10 seconds to halftime.
An exchange of punts opened the third quarter. On its second drive, GU advanced to midfield, but Holley was picked off at the Columbia 24, whereupon CU's Ben Mathiasmeier raced unopposed 70 yards to the Georgetown end zone until Tiy Reed tripped him up at the five yard line. Georgetown appeared to hold on third down from the five, but a defensive pass interference call extended the drive and allowed Lenhart his second touchdown on the ground, 28-17.
The Georgetown offense was clicking yet again. Holley connected on an early third down conversion, his seventh in the last nine, and then dialed up Crayton again--a 52 yard pass to the Columbia nine yard line. On a fourth and goal at the two, Holley went back to Crayton for the score, 28-24. Georgetown owned the clock for nearly 11 minutes in the third quarter, and were every bit in this game entering the fourth quarter.
Following an exchange of punts, Georgetown was back on the move. Passes from Holley to Asante Das and Joshua Stakely brought the Hoyas to midfield with ten minutes to play. A 28 yard pass from Holley to RB Naieem Kearney was called back for pass interference, and the drive stalled, with a punt to the Lions that resulted in a touchback with 8:13 to play. In a game where the defense could not get a stop, the ensuing drive proved the difference that propelled the Lions to victory.
With Green back in quarterback, the Lions faced a 4th and 14 that the Hoyas broke up a pass on third down. However, a defensive holding call extended the drive. Columbia returned to its ground game, and the Hoyas defense could not contain the Lions rushing game, allowing four consecutive rushes totalling 35 yards to the GU 33 with under four minutes remaining. Green found Luke Painton to the GU 18, and a 10 yard run to the GU eight ensued.
On first down at the eight, Lenhart returned and reached for the end zone, where despite hitting the pylon with his hand the video replay determined that the ball had broken the plane and this extended the lead to 35-24 with 2:20 to play--a methodical 14 play, 80 yard drive that consumed almost six minutes of the fourth quarter and reached third down just once, giving the Hoyas little opportunity to respond in kind.
Holley could not engineer the comeback, having been sacked on the following series and giving up a late, albeit inconsequential interception with 18 seconds to play. His numbers, however, were remarkable for a first time starter: 27 for 42 for 368 yards, with only one sack. Joshua Stakely's 41 yards was the best of the rushers, while Crayton caught eight for 190 yards and Das had seven catches for 71 yards. But the Lions' rushing game could not be ignored, rushing 41 times for 227 yards, and average of 5.5 yards per carry. The special teams lapse on the kickoff for the Hoyas certainly hurt, but it was not the difference in the game.
"It was a meaningful, hard fought win against a good Patriot League school," said Columbia coach Al Bagnoli. "We played well enough to win but we also know we have a much higher ceiling that we're going to try to get to."
Columbia has won three of the last four meetings with Georgetown, and takes a 4-3 advantage in the Lou Little Cup, which is now contracted through the 2024 season.
Game statistics:
GEORGETOWN COLUMBIA
First downs 21 18
Rushed-yards 36-108 41-227
Passing yards 368 127
Sacked-yards lost 0-0 1-3
Passes 27-42-2 12-20-0
Punts 5-40.6 5-42.0
Fumbles-lost 0-0 0-0
Penalties-yards 6-47 4-30
Time of possession 36:06 23:54
Game #4: Colgate (Oct. 2)
The Georgetown Hoyas rallied from an early 14-0 deficit but fell short at Cooper Field, 28-21 to the Colgate Red Raiders. Six Georgetown defensive penalties over the course of the afternoon proved crucial in a missed opportunity for an upset.
Colgate (2-3, 2-0 PL) dominated the line of scrimmage and scored in each of its first three possessions of the game, leading 21-7. The late start from the Georgetown defense provided a sufficient hurdle, but the Hoyas still made a run at the Red Raiders towards the end of the second quarter.
After Georgetown went three and out with 3:35 to halftime, Colgate's Jackson Price fumbled the punt, which was recovered by GU's Justin Fonteneaux at the Hoyas' 41. On a third and 10 with 2:36 to halftime, QB Pierce Holley found WR Cameron Crayton for 29 yards to the Colgate 30, and the Hoyas converted three plays later with an eight yard touchdown run from RB Jackson Saffold at the 1:09 mark, 21-14.
After being outgained 153-35 in the first quarter, Georgetown played even with Colgate in the second and opened the third with its best drive of the day.
Georgetown's first drive of the second half was a 14 play drive that consumer nearly six minutes of the clock, converting four third down plays in as many downs. On a 3rd and 6, Holley rushed 14 yards to get into Colgate territory, then found WR Joshua Tomas to the CU 5. Joshua Stakely converted a third and goal to tie the score at 21.
As was the case last week, a missed opportunity by the opponents at a key point of the game was not capitalized upon. For Colgate, it was a 10 play drive which Georgetown stopped at its 14, then saw the Red Raiders miss a short field goal. With the momentum, Georgetown went just three yards on its next three plays, and punted it back to Colgate with 1:16 in the third quarter. From this point, Colgate went to work.
The Red Raiders advanced to midfield to open the fourth but faced a fourth and 2 that may well have given Georgetown the ball to drive from midfield. Unfortunately, the defense jumped and a first down extended the drive.Four plays later, WR Garrett Oakey got open for a 25 yard touchdown pass, 28-21.
"To make big plays in meaningful situations in the fourth quarter, whether it was coaches making calls or the players making plays, to get that type of win under our belt is a pretty special thing," said Colgate head coach Stan Dakosty.
The Hoyas managed two remaining drives inside Colgate territory, and surrendered the ball on downs on the first and gave up an interception on the second. This was the fourth consecutive game Georgetown has given up two touchdowns to open the game, and the offense simply could not overcome it.
Pierce Holley finished the game 20 for 38 for 206 yards, but the lack of an offensive line to control the line of scrimmage continues to weigh down the game plan. Colgate rotated three quarterbacks over the course of the game for a 209 yard effort, but its rushing game and two TD passes to Garrett Oakey proved decisive.
Despite its 17th loss to Colgate in 18 meetings, Georgetown head coach Rob Sglarlata focused on the positives.
"We're playing a lot of different people on both sides of the ball and I told the kids after the game I'm extremely proud of their effort and I'm proud of their week in practice," he said. "The scoreboard at the end of the game wasn't where we want it to be but we did some things that we'll build on as we go through the season."
Game statistics:
COLGATE GEORGETOWN
First downs 22 16
Rushed-yards 42-135 30-53
Passing yards 209 206
Sacked-yards lost 1-7 4-21
Passes 16-23-0 20-38-1
Punts 3-51.0 4-45.0
Fumbles-lost 0-0 1-0
Penalties-yards 3-29 9-85
Time of possession 32:02 27:58
Game #5: Holy Cross (Oct. 16)
Quarterback Matthew Sluka passed for two touchdowns and ran for two more in Holy Cross' 48-14 win over Georgetown team before a generously announced attendance of 4,518 at Fitton Field Saturday.
Georgetown started strong, with a 13 play drive which converted on three third downs into Holy Cross territory. A three yard run on third and four brought the Hoyas to the HC 31, but GU opted for a run on fourth down which the Crusaders converted into a seven yard loss. The change in momentum energized the Holy Cross attack, answering with a six play, 62 yard drive to take the lead on a 13 yard pas from Sluka to WR Jack Jewell, 7-0.
The teams exchanged punts through the end of the first quarter when Sluka went big from the air. On the first play of the second quarter, Sluka found WR Justin Shorter for 31 yards, a 19 yard pass two plays later, and a 26 yard pass to the Georgetown eight, finding little resistance from the Hoyas' defensive line. An eight yard run by RB Peter Oliver extended the lead to 14-0.
Misfortune befell the Hoyas in its next drive, when QB Joseph Brunell threw a bad pass at midfield that was intercepted, setting up for a prompt five play drive that Sluka ran in from one yard, 21-0.
Georgetown's final four series of the second quarter were as ineffective as any in recent years. Four drives totaled minus-2 yards, with no movement off the line and no running game. For its part, the Crusaders continued to advance, and following a missed field goal with 3:35 to halftime, the HC defense picked off QB Pierce Holley at the Georgetown 39 and returned it untouched, 28-0.
By halftime, the Hoyas were well out of this game. The two turnovers contributed to 14 Holy Cross points, but HC led in total offense 262 to 76, and an unsightly 94 to 0 on the ground. Georgetown rushed for a net six yards on the ground in the first quarter and a net of zero yards for the remainder of the game.
In the second half, Holley engineered two scoring drives for the Hoyas in the second half with the game well out of reach, throwing for 160 yards on 9 for 12 attempts. Sluka threw for one TD and ran for another in the third to go up 48-7 before a one yard run by Zaire Webb finished out the scoring.
The Crusader quarterback tandem of Sluka (7-10, 136 yds, 2 TD) and Marco Siderman (11-15, 116 yards) led the way as the Crusaders balanced 250 yards on the ground with 266 in the air.
By its own merits, the loss was not a surprise. Holy Cross is the best team in an otherwise weak Patriot League and showed it on the field Saturday. But in past years when an outstanding Georgetown defense often helped kept things interesting, the 2021 Hoyas defense is just not effective, and opponents are taking advantage. Georgetown allowed Holy Cross over seven yards per play in the game, their fourth consecutive loss of 2021 and a sixth straight versus PL opponents dating to the 2019 season.
Game statistics:
GEORGETOWN HOLY CROSS
First downs 12 25
Rushed-yards 30-6 46-250
Passing yards 236 266
Sacked-yards lost 2-17 3-23
Passes 17-26-2 19-26-0
Punts 5-48.4 3-40.7
Fumbles-lost 1-0 0-0
Penalties-yards 3-33 8-80
Time of possession 25:17 34:43
Game #6: Bucknell (Oct. 23)
Two touchdowns in the final 6:48 of the fourth quarter rallied Georgetown to a 29-21 win at Bucknell Saturday, ending a four game losing streak.
Georgetown entered the game with deficiencies in three key areas: rushing offense, field position, and turnovers. Each of these played a role in favor of the Hoyas by game's end, earning Georgetown its first road win in Patriot League play since an Oct. 13, 2018 game at Lafayette.
The Hoyas wasted no time to get this game started, scoring on the first play of the game, a 70 yard pass from Pierce Holley to Cameron Crayton. It was the first of three drives where Georgetown had legitimate scoring opportunities, but this was the only one that put points on the scoreboard.
Following a Bucknell punt after its first series of the game, Georgetown was on the move again, with a pass from Holley to WR Asante Das to drive into Bucknell territory. A third and one from the Bucknell 34 saw an unlikely formation as GU attempted a run from a shotgun formation which netted no yards. The only play less likely on fourth down was to run the same play, which netted the same result and turned the ball over to Bucknell. BU quarterback Ethan Grady, starting in place of Nick Semptimphelter, led the Bison on an eight play drive and found WR Dominic Lyles across the end zone for a 31 pass play and a tie score, 7-7.
Georgetown's third drive also showed promise. Starting at its 16, Holley connected with Asante Das and Tiy Reed for 20 yards , along with a 23 yard run by Joshua Tomas to drive the Hoyas as close as the Bucknell. But with a steady rain for much of the first half, Joshua Stakely fumbled the ball a the Bucknell 30. For its part, Bucknell fumbled it back three plays later, but the second quarter would prove more difficult to the Hoyas getting on track offensively.
The Hoyas defense opened the second quarter by forcing a punt deep in Bucknell territory which set up the Hoyas at midfield. On first down, freshman Naieem Kearney tore open the Bucknell like for 21 yards, while Holley through three consecutive passes to set up a first down at the Bucknell 16. The seven play drive stalled, settling for a 31 yard Conor Hunt field goal, 10-7. The missed opportunity was in evidence on the next series, where the Bison responded with an eight play, 72 yards drive, with Grady finding Lyles for a 24 yard pass and a 14-10 lead.
The teams exchanged punts in the next four series and it appeared GU would run out the clock on its final possession when Bucknell was called for interference on a punt return, setting up Georgetown a the Bucknell 37 with 34 seconds to halftime. A pair of pass plays advanced GU to the seven, but without time outs, harking back to an off time out called on a 4th and 26 in the first quarter. With one second left on the clock, all GU could do was settle for the field goal and a 14-13 deficit at the break.
Bucknell opened the third quarter with its best drive of the game. Quarterback Ethan Grady was four for four in the drive, a nine play, 72 yard effort which found Dominic Lyles alone for his third touchdown pass of the game, 21-13.
For much of this game Georgetown was trading threes (field goals) for sevens (touchdowns). A 14 play drive by the Hoyas closed to the Bucknell two yard line midway in the third quarter, but the Hoyas last three plays of the drive netted -2 yards and forced a 21 yard field goal, 21-16. If Gerogetown had a comeback in them, it had to match defensive intensity with offensive conversion.
The first step of that formula began to materialize. On Bucknell's next possession, a pass deep in GU territory was intercepted by CB Jonathan Honore at the GU 12, only the second interception of the season for the Hoyas. The Bison managed just one first downs in its next three possessions, giving the Georgetown offense the opportunity to make an effort for the score.
The Hoyas needed a break - and got one with 6:46 remaining in the game.
Setting up at midfield after a 36 yard Bucknell punt, Bucknell was flagged for roughing the passer on an incomplete pass at the Bucknell 40, moving the Hoyas into scoring distance. Holley found Crayton for 17 yards to the BU eight and ran the ball in for the go-ahead score with just over five minutes to play.
A two point conversion failed, but GU carried a 22-21 lead into the home stretch. The Hoyas' defense held Bucknell to just four yards deep in its own territory, forcing a punt at the 4:01 mark that set up the Hoyas at its 46. Staying on the ground to keep the clock running, RB Herman Moultrie rushed four times for 21 yards, and a fifth carry was expected to do the same, when he broke through the Bucknell like for a 34 yard touchdown run which unexpectedly extended the lead to 29-21.
Bucknell's last hope was ended with a Jovone Campbell interception at midfield with 2:13 remaining.
Georgetown has its best offensive effort of the year, with more rushing yards in this game than the prior five games combined, with 38 carries and 225 yards, part of a season best 476 yards total offense.
Not to be understated: field position. Bucknell did not a start a single drive past its own 36, and its last four drives had an average starting position of its 18 yard line. Even with its three touchdown passes, BU did not have a single possession in the Georgetown red zone. Georgetown's last four drives had an average starting position of its 41 yard line, two of which netted the determinative scores of the game.
The final metric? Turnovers. In its last meeting with the Bison, the Hoyas gave up four turnovers in a 20-17 loss. This time, Georgetown forced three Bucknell turnovers with only one in return. The Bucknell announced took note that Pierce Holley entered the game with four prior interceptions, but perhaps it was wishful thinking. Holley finished 18 of 33, clear of turnovers.
Georgetown returns home for a meeting next weekend with Lafayette, who was on bye this past week.
Game statistics:
GEORGETOWN BUCKNELL
First downs 23 15
Rushed-yards 38-225 41-139
Passing yards 251 162
Sacks-yards lost 0-0 1-11
Passes 18-33-0 12-21-2
Punts 5-37.8 7-35.0
Fumbles-lost 1-1 1-1
Penalties-yards 3-30 4-39
Time of possession 28:34 31:26
Game #7: Lafayette (Oct. 30)
A blocked field goal preserved Lafayette's 24-23 comeback win over Georgetown Saturday, as the Leopards overcame a 17-0 first quarter deficit.
The Hoyas' first quarter was magic. Georgetown opened the game with a four play, 76 yard drive. Quarterback Pierce Holley was 4-4 for 67 yards, including a 41 yard pass to Joshua Tomas for the first score, 7-0. GU then stunned the crowd of 2,437 at Cooper Field by executing an onsides kick on the ensuing kickoff, catching Lafayette off guard and setting up the Hoyas at midfield. Holley was back in the air, finding TE Sergio Portobanco to the Lafayette 35, but the drive stalled at the 27. Conor Hunt missed a 37 yard field goal, but a message was sent.
Lafayette started slowly, and opted to go for a fourth down at its own 36 when Justin Fonteneaux held RB Selwyn Simpson behind the lines, setting up Georgetown with a short field just six minutes into the game. Holley went back to Tomas for 18 yards to the LC eight and a Joshua Stakely run brought the Hoyas to 14-0. On Lafayette's next series, QB Ah-Shaun Davis was picked off at the LC 34, giving Georgetown a fourth red zone opportunity in the first ten minutes of the game. GU advanced to the LC 14 before taking a field goal and a 17-0 lead. It was the largest lead Georgetown had posted over a PL opponent in any game dating to the 2015 season.
Down 17, Lafayette needed a kick-start in this game and got it, setting the Leopards up for there sustained drives in the second quarter. On the second play of the following drive,. Simpson burst through the GU line for 55 yards for the score, 17-7, advanced to the GU 19 for a field goal kick which was blocked, and closed to 20-14 on its next drive, punctuated by a 47 yard pass from Davis to WR Julius Young, 17-14. Georgetown's only sustained offense of the second quarter came in a 10 play drive that resulted in a 31 yard field goal, 20-14, the score at halftime.
Total yardage told the story of the game's turnaround. At one point, GU held a 143-7 edge in yardage, a number which landed at 138-70 by the end of the first quarter. In the second, the number were reversed--Lafayette held a 130-70 edge in the second quarter.
Georgetown's first drive of the third quarter also netted yardage, but a scoring drive stalled deep into Lafayette territory for a fourth time and the Hoyas settled for a field goal, 23-14. The 32 yard drive was the best GU could do in a third quarter that gave every impression that Georgetown was playing not to lose. Lafayette's last two drives of the game consumed 12:49 of the third and fourth quarters, scoring on a 10 play, 55 yard drive early in the fourth to close to 23-21, and a 13, play 72 yard drive that netted the go-ahead field goal with 5:31 to play.
The Hoyas took over with time on their side but without much urgency, as if they wanted to run the clock out without returning the ball to Lafayette. A 13 yard pass to Joshua Tomas kept the drive going on a fourth and six at the GU 37, but as Georgetown moved into LC territory, they chose not to call time outs and let the clock wind down. With a minute to play, Georgetown had a first down at the Lafayette 39, but opted for a pair of low risk, low return run plays to move the ball to the Leopards' 36, but at the far hash mark where Hunt's first kick went left, instead of placing in the ball in the center of the field. With the extra time, Holley may have found Tomas closer to the red zone, but the Hoyas never went downfield.
A career long 51 yard field goal awaited Hunt for the win. On the kick, Colin Hurlbrink got the block, and the clock ran out on the Hoyas.
If the play calling didn't set Hunt up for success, head coach Rob Sgarlata chose not to discuss it in post-game comments.
"I am extremely proud of our entire program." he said, "We are not satisfied with just being in close games. Our expectation is to win each and every time we take the field. We will regroup and build on our positives, correct our mistakes to improve for our next outing."
Holley finished the game 19 for 30 for 231 yards, but managed just 24 yards passing in the fourth quarter. Tomas' 137 yards receiving was a personal best in a game where there Georgetown receivers were out with injuries.
This was a winnable game that the Hoyas let pass through its fingers. Five scoring drives ended with three field goals and two misses, a result wholly insufficient against a team of Lafayette's caliber, and the Leopards' offense eventually took advantage.
The Hoyas end its home season next Saturday as prohibitive underdogs next week against Fordham (5-3, 3-0 PL), averaging 49.7 points per game over its last four games. At 1-3 in league play, Georgetown is out of the PL title race but seeking to avoid its third winless home record since 1990.
Game statistics:
LAFAYETTE GEORGETOWN
First downs 14 16
Rushed-yards 30-140 33-77
Passing yards 203 231
Sacked-yards lost 3-5 3-15
Passes 15-22-1 19-30-0
Punts 3-35.7 4-34.5
Fumbles-lost 0-0 0-0
Penalties-yards 5-55 5-45
Time of possession 29:50 30:10
Game #8: Fordham (Nov. 6)
The Fordham Rams pulled away early and never looked back in a 41-20 win over Georgetown at Cooper Field Saturday.
The Fordham defense had struggled two weeks ago versus Lehigh, and Georgetown appeared to take advantage early. On its opening drive, Georgetown tore holes in the Rams defense, with two Jackson Saffold rushes for 28 yards and a 17 yard pass to Joshua Tomas to promptly advance to the Fordham 20. The Rams gave up three penalties in this drive, including a pass interference call which set up GU at th Fordham three, setting up Saffold for a three yard touchdown.
The celebration was short lived, as Conor Hunt missed his first PAT of the season, 6-0.
If there were questions about the consistency of the Fordham defense, there was none about its offense. The rams moved smoothly down the field in a nine play 65 yard that reached third down just once. After a defensive offsides set up the Rams at the GU 4, Fordham RB Zach Davis scored on the next play. Fordham missed its first PAT as well, 6-6.
Georgetown stalled on its next series but Fordham was just getting started, with a 13 play, 88 yard drive and a 13-6 lead. Two series later, the die was cast.
Fordham had marched 12 plays and 59 yards to the Georgetown one, but was stopped on fourth down. On Georgetown's first play following that stop, Saffold fumbled the ball out of the snap and Fordham recovered at the three. One play later, the Rams were up 20-6, and never looked back.
Entering the third quarter, the Rams were again on the move. Advancing to midfield, DeMorat found WR Fotis Kokosioulis with a 45 yard pas to the Georgetown and connected with him again on the next play, 27-6. A three and out from the Hoyas set up the Rams at its 40, where a pair of Georgetown penalties set up a 33 yard touchdown run from RB Trey Wilson, 34-6 midway through the third.
Two drives late in the third sum up the 2021 season for Georgetown. With senior Joseph Brunell at the helm, the Hoyas twice moved down the field into the Fordham red zone, and twice came up empty. From the Fordham 15, Brunell went 0-4 and the Hoyas turned the ball over on downs. After forcing the Rams into its first punt of the afternoon, the Hoyas advanced inside the Fordham eight. Brunell missed two more passes and the Hoyas were denied again. From the five yard line, DeMorat led the Rams on an eight play, 95 yard drive, extended when a GU interception was waived off because of a defensive penalty. A 29 yard pass to Kokosioulis extended the count to 41-6.
Fordham opened up the bench and Georgetown collected scores on its last two drives of a game long since decided: a seven play drive at the 6:29 mark, and an eight play drive ending in the final minute. The win was Fordham's sixth straight in 2021, and its eighth win in its last nine versus Georgetown. Senior Joshua Tomas led all Hoyas with 10 receptions and 142 yards, while the team otherwise compiled a season-worst 100 yards in penalties.
DeMorat finished 22 for 38 for 273 yards and three touchdowns for the Rams, just three yards short of 8,000 yards for his career with at least two games to play. He was not sacked in the game.
The Hoyas (2-6) finish its home schedule 0-4, only the fourth winless mark at home since 1990, and are assured of a ninth consecutive losing season. Fordham hosts Holy Cross next week for the presumptive Patriot league title.
Game statistics:
FORDHAM GEORGETOWN
First downs 31 22
Rushed-yards 38-230 37-108
Passing yards 273 282
Sacked-yards lost 0-0 4-12
Passes 22-38-0 20-32-1
Punts 2-30.0 4-42.8
Fumbles-lost 0-0 1-1
Penalties-yards 11-71 12-100
Time of possession 27:23 32:37
Game #9: Lehigh (Nov. 13)
The Lehigh Engineers found little opposition from the Georgetown defense in a 23-9 win at Murray Goodman Stadium Saturday.
Lehigh punted just once in an alternatively rainy, then sunny afternoon. Lehigh drove to the Georgetown goal line in its first series but fumbled it into the end zone. On its following series it advanced to the GU 25 before being held on 4th down. But a field goal and touchdown in the second quarter built an early lead it would maintain thereafter.
Georgetown's only scoring effort came on 13 play drive to open the second half, but managed only one first down for the remainder of the game, looking sluggish against a rejuvenated Lehigh defense. A safety on a bad snap in Lehigh's next series was GU's only other points of a forgettable afternoon.
Game Statistics:
GEORGETOWN LEHIGH
First downs 16 24
Rushed-yards 33-27 45-99
Passing yards 204 259
Sacks-yards lost
Passes 23-39-0 22-32-0
Punts 5-40.2 1-34.0
Fumbles-lost 0-0 0-0
Penalties-yards 5-32 4-30
Time of possession 27:00 34:00
Game #10: Morgan St. (Nov. 20)
The Georgetown Hoyas gave up 28 unanswered points in a humbling loss to Morgan State, 28-21, before just 576 at Baltimore's Hughes Stadium.
The Hoyas were at its best in the first 18 minutes of the game, outgaining the Bears 206-29 and taking a 14-0 lead. On Morgan State's next series, extended by Georgetown penalties, junior Alfonso Graham shredded the porous GU defense for a 40 yard run, 14-6, and tying the score on an 15 play, eight minute drive in the second, 14-14.
With just one win to its credit in 2021, Morgan State put the game away early in the fourth. After a potential go-ahead touchdown on Georgetown's next series was called back on penalties, resulting in a punt to the MSU six,
Graham ran unopposed for 86 yards and a touchdown, 21-14. MSU added a fourth touchdown in the final two minutes on a three play, 52 yard drive punctuated by a 48 yard run by RB Krysten Riley-Richardson to the GU five. A late GU score closed the margin but did not affect the outcome.
Georgetown gave up 100 yards in penalties on the afternoon, the 17th season ending loss for Georgetown since the 2000 season and its eighth loss in the past nine games.
"Last game of the year is always tough, especially this year with the fifth-year seniors and seniors," said head coach Rob Sgarlata in post-game comments. "It's a great crew. There are guys that stuck with us and helped us build this program to being one that is going to compete for a Patriot League title in the future. Tyler Knoop came in and we knew he was talented when he came in and had a breakout day with 13 carries for over 100 yards. It gave us a spark on offense. Joe Brunell is the kind of player you dream of coaching. A fifth-year senior that won the starting job, lost the job and then came back into the starting job. He played today and threw the ball extremely well for over 260 and fought through an injury late in the first half on that touchdown drive. There were a lot of bright spots, but we did not finish on the scoreboard.
This is a gateway game for us into the offseason and we will continue to work with our young players. We are excited to get into the spring and start to reload everything into a normal year."
Game statistics:
GEORGETOWN MORGAN ST
First downs 22 14
Rushed-yards 31-174 33-279
Passing yards 262 78
Sacks-yards lost 0-0 0-0
Passes 24-40-1 9-17-0
Punts 3-42.3 5-33.2
Fumbles-lost 0-0 0-0
Penalties-yards 9-100 6-52
Time of possession 26:47 35:54
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