The Georgetown Hoyas, and most of the 2,406 fans in attendance, were looking for revenge when they met the Colgate Raiders this past Saturday in the season opener on Harbin Field. Vengeance was within sight until the Raiders struck with six seconds left in the game, and stole away a victory, 20-19.
Last season included significant achievements for the up-and-coming Georgetown football program. The year, however, also included a 44-22 loss to Colgate.
“We’ve taken the next step with commitment,” Head Coach Bob Benson said. “Everyone stepped it up in the off-season, both working out and in their seriousness.”
If nothing else, the Hoyas proved that they are much improved and ready to play competitive football in the Patriot League this year.
“We’ve got a lot of talented seniors, first-years and sophomores, and we are very much a team that wants to win, Benson said. “Georgetown football is over the days of trying to compete; we want to and can win.”
Georgetown had multiple opportunities to knock off the defending Patriot League co-champion Raiders. However, several miscues down the stretch resulted in a lost opportunity to send an early message to Colgate and the rest of the league.
After falling behind 14-0 to Colgate with 11:14 left in the third quarter, the Hoyas began to show their talent and hard work. Raiders running back Joe Pinion finished with 132 yards while quarterback Chris Brown ran for 76 yards and a touchdown.
The home side was able to change the momentum in the second half and dominated play on both sides of the ball. Using the quarterback tandem of junior Andrew Crawford and first-year Alondzo Turner throughout the second half, the Hoyas rallied back.
Crawford related the improved play to an additional year in the system and off-season preparation. “We’re more comfortable with an offensive system we’ve had for an additional year,” Crawford said. “We were more aggressive in the weight room and more serious about the offensive schemes.”
Benson was very pleased with the play of his quarterbacks. “It was the first game, but they did well and made enough plays for us to win,” he said.
Turner ran the option effectively to jump-start the running game, while Crawford showed poise inside the red zone, hitting senior fullback William Huisking for a 2-yard touchdown pass to cap off an 80-yard third-quarter drive.
The Hoyas then changed pace by looking to the big play. Crawford tossed his second touchdown on a 35-yard pass to senior wideout Luke McArdle nine seconds into the fourth quarter. With the momentum seemingly on their side, the Hoyas made the first of numerous mistakes that would haunt them later on. Colgate’s special teams came through with a blocked extra point, and they clung to a 14-13 lead.
Georgetown’s defense stepped up, forcing the Raiders to punt on back-to-back possessions. The Hoyas made the most of a Colgate fumble and took the lead on a one-yard touchdown run by sophomore Kim Sarin. Up 19-14, the Hoyas failed to convert the two-point conversion, leaving the door open for Colgate.
Nonetheless, Georgetown seemed on the verge of victory after a late interception by sophomore defensive back Maurice Banks. The feeling was short-lived, as an excessive celebration penalty pinned the Hoyas deep in their own territory. After a three-and-out series, they had to punt.
“We’re confident in our plays that we need to run in that part of the field, we just didn’t execute in that series,” Crawford said. “But overall, the offense played great in the second half.”
Colgate started their last-gasp drive with 30 seconds on the clock. Led by quarterback Chris Brown, the Raiders were able to move the ball down to the two-yard line with seconds remaining. From there, the visitors resorted to trickery as Brown went in motion and the ball was snapped directly to wide receiver J.B. Gerald, who completed a pass to a sliding Brown in the corner of the end zone with six seconds remaining. After the Hoyas threw a desperation Hail Mary, the whistle blew and the Raiders scampered off the field, ecstatic to get the 20-19 win.
Crawford and the Hoyas walked off the field with their heads down, but hope to use the loss as a motivator.
“We definitely should have come away with the win,” Crawford said. “It’s a letdown for that day, a little less on Sunday, and then motivation for the rest of the week and season.”
Georgetown now looks to regroup as they travel to Worcester, Mass. to face Holy Cross on Saturday.
“They’re an excellent football team,” Benson said. “They have a talented offense and a great return specialist. It should be a great game.”
Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at Fitton Field.
