Every young football player’s dream is to lead his team to a last-second victory in a big game, and be carried off the field by his teammates amidst the roars of an elated home crowd. It’s what movies are made of. Junior quarterback Nick Cangelosi got to live out this boyhood fantasy last Saturday after leading the Hoyas (4-4 overall, 2-2 PL) to a last-minute, 24-21 homecoming victory over the Fordham Rams (0-7 overall, 0-3 PL).
“It’s why you play football,” Cangelosi said.
At their own 11-yard line with 1:49 left in the fourth quarter, the Hoyas started their memorable drive. Cangelosi (6-17, 94 yards, 2 TDs) played as confident as a boy in his own backyard, completing a 47-yard pass to first-year wide receiver Sydney Baker right out of the gate. Executing their two-minute drill offense to perfection, Georgetown moved deep into Fordham territory. From the Rams’ 14-yard line, Cangelosi stepped up and hit senior tight-end Glenn Castergine on a 10-yard out pattern. Castergine, who has been battling injuries all season, carried two Fordham defenders the rest of the way to pay dirt.
The Rams had one final chance to drive the field and tie the game with a field goal. However, the Hoya defense was impenetrable throughout the entire second half, and they never gave Fordham a chance. Junior defensive linemen Julius Griauzde and Alex Buzbee each sacked Fordham quarterback Derric Daniels once, dousing their chances and sealing the victory.
The second half saw the Hoyas explode for 21 points, which is more than they have scored in any game this year. For the third straight game, Georgetown hopped on the back of senior running back Marcus Slayton, who carried the ball for 192 yards and a touchdown, earning himself Patriot League Player of the Week honors. He provided the spark that helped the Hoyas to their dominant second half and their second Patriot League win of the year.
“Marcus runs hard,” Head Coach Bob Benson said. “He’s one of our senior leaders and a real inspiration to our team.”
The Hoyas’ first half of play was anything but inspirational. Fordham took total advantage of Georgetown’s turnovers and sloppy play in the wet weather, putting up 21 points in under two minutes. In the blink of an eye it was halftime and the Hoyas were down 21-3. The deficit had the Homecoming crowd on edge. Some emptied the Multi-Sport Field faster than a crowded movie theatre that had just announced the showing of Rocky V. Little did those fans know about the on-field show they would be missing.
The Hollywood ending is something the Hoyas have gotten used to. This was their fourth come from behind victory on the season. But perhaps none of those comeback wins will be as memorable as this one.
“It was an awesome thrill. I don’t think any of the guys on this team will ever forget it,” Cangelosi said. “It’s something you can talk about when you’re older.”
With a bye-week coming up, the Hoyas will try not to forget how this win felt so they can see the same results against Lehigh when they travel to Pennsylvania on Nov. 5.
