The Hoyas could have used a couple more field goals from last week’s record-setting kicker Michael Gillman.
Georgetown’s sputtering offense failed to take advantage of visiting Lafayette mistakes and Georgetown (1-1 Overall, 0-1 PL) dropped their Patriot League opener 17-10.
The Hoyas entered Saturday’s game against Lafayette (2-0 Overall, 2-0 PL) looking to add momentum to their season-opening victory over St. Francis. Lafayette, on the other hand, came into Harbin Field looking to avenge last year’s loss at the hands of the Hoyas.
“The Lafayette game was where we needed to get better handling the pressure,” Head Coach Bob Benson said. “Saturday was a defensive struggle, and we just need to fight through that better.”
The game’s tempo was established by both defenses, as the offenses struggled to move the ball. The game turned into a battle for field position and the two teams remained scoreless until Lafayette was able to get on the board with a 41-yard field goal by sophomore Rick Ziska with 18 seconds left in the first half.
Lafayette sophomore quarterback Brad Maurer connected on four passes to quickly march the Leopards down to the Georgetown 44-yard line. Then senior tailback Joe McCourt found a hole on the right side and ran down the sideline for 26 yards before being pushed out of bounds at the Hoyas’ 18. But that was as close as the Leopards got to the end zone. The defense took a stand when Maurer was sacked by a pair of junior defensive linemen. Dan Cordisco struck first followed by Michael Ononibaku on the next play, to hold the Leopards to a field goal.
Ononibaku was named Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week after tallying 12 tackles and sacking the quarterback a career-best three times. As the cornerstone of the Hoyas defense, Ononibaku and his unit have been the bright spot thus far in the season.
“He’s a great student of the game, he’s got a great motor, great takeoff from the line, we knew these things about him when we recruited him,” Benson said. “We had a great defensive effort, they can run, they’re active, they accept the challenges they’re faced with.”
The second half opened with more strong play from the Hoyas’ defense as senior lineman Jackson Dismukes forced a Lafayette fumble, giving the Hoyas excellent field position at the Leopards’ 47. But the Hoyas squandered the opportunity with a three-and-out series with the Leopards blitzing heavily on third down. The constant pressure from the blitz affected sophomore quarterback Keith Allan, making the first start of his collegiate career. Allan threw for 71 yards on 10 of 18 passing, but could never get the offense going.
The Hoyas’ defense was equally troubling for Mauer throughout the game. The third of five Leopards’ turnovers gave Georgetown great field position again, as junior defensive back Sheldon Epps intercepted Maurer’s pass. Starting the drive 35 yards from the end zone, junior running back Kim Sarin scampered for a key first down on a third and three to keep the drive alive. Facing another third and long, Allan connected with junior wideout Dominique Saunders a yard short of the first down marker at the 14-yard line. The Hoyas turned their opponent’s mistake into points with a field goal by Gillman with 2:36 left in the third.
After the ensuing kickoff, Maurer made another costly mistake as he was picked off by Maurice Banks, and the Hoyas started at the 23. This time the Hoyas marched down to the goal line. But on third and goal from the eight, Allan was unable to connect with senior receiver Craig Agnello in the end zone, forcing another field goal by Gillman. With 14:06 left Georgetown had a 6-3 lead.
But that’s when the Hoyas’ fortunes turned. Lafayette gained the advantage of field position by pinning the Hoyas down on their own one-yard line. Trying to escape danger, Allan rolled to his left to evade the pass rush. But as he tried to get rid of the ball, he was hit, sending a wobbling ball into the hands of junior end Andrew Brown who barreled into the end zone, giving the Leopards a 10-6 advantage.
“We made too many mental mistakes to win that game,” Benson said. “It was a tough Patriot League game, and we’ve got a good football team. This program has improved a lot in three years, but we’ve got to do better.”
The Hoyas came back with a drive that marched out to midfield. On a crucial third and four the Leopards’ brought the blitz, and, feeling pressure again, Allan scrambled and dumped the ball off to Sarin. Although the throw was low, Sarin got down to catch the pass, turned and evaded the Leopards’ defenders for what appeared to be first-down yardage. However, a late whistle sounded as a line judge claimed Sarin’s knee hit the ground as he caught the ball. With the ball spotted a yard short of the first down near midfield with 7:49 left in the game, the Hoyas elected to punt and hoped the defense could continue to provide big plays.
But junior Pat Davis took over for the Leopards at quarterback, and he connected with receiver Chad Walker on a third and three for a 20-yard pass to reach the Hoyas’ 30 with 4:45 to go. The Hoyas’ defense tried to hold again, but on a third and 11, Davis connected with junior wideout Joe Ort in the end zone with 2:20 left, giving the Leopards a commanding 17-6 lead.
Georgetown’s defense will have to deliver again this week in Pittsburgh, Pa. against Duquesne (1-1). The Dukes are led by senior quarterback Niel Loebig and their high flying offense. Particularly threatening will be senior receiver Michael Warfield who has been mentioned as a potential NFL draft pick.
“They have a quarterback who’s been there for four years, we expect them to put the ball in the air, and they have a great wide receiver who’s an NFL prospect,” Benson said
