If the Hoyas weren’t a little homesick after their 0-2 start to a three-game road trip, their 31-14 loss to Colgate (2-2, 1-0 PL) last Saturday had the boys in Blue and Gray feeling green. Kevin Kelly’s squad headed into Andy Kerr Stadium with a new starting quarterback and a chance to improve their Patriot League record. But, 60 minutes and five turnovers later, Georgetown found itself sitting at 1-4 and in the midst of a three-game losing streak.
Coach Kelly had spent the previous week insisting that his team improve their turnover ratio. It was to no avail as Georgetown dealt with several breakdowns and glossy gloves, fumbling six times and losing four. Backup-turned-starter junior quarterback Matt Bassuener even threw an interception, something he hadn’t done in 63 previous pass attempts this season. That interception put the Hoyas at minus nine in the turnover ratio so far this fall.
“After a while it gets old,” Coach Kelly said. “It reminds me of my first year at Navy when we were 2-10 and had problems with turnovers.”
When the Hoyas turned the ball over, the Raiders from Hamilton knew exactly how to plunder the Hoya defense for scores. In the third quarter with the Hoyas trailing 17-7, they seemed to be rejuvenated after the halftime break. Sophomore speedster Kenny Mitchell returned the kickoff 51 yards, giving the team good field position for the start of a potential comeback. Three plays later the Raiders forced a fumble which eventually led to a 29-yard jaunt to the end zone by sophomore stud running back Jordan Scott.
The Hoyas continued to let their chances bounce away when Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week and Colgate junior linebacker Mike Gallihugh knocked the ball loose from senior return man Brian Tandy’s hands. Colgate recovered at the Georgetown 22-yard line. Less than a minute later Colgate receiver David Morgan was celebrating with his teammates after his 23-yard touchdown reception. That made the score 31-7, and with the Hoya defense having trouble causing turnovers of their own, it would prove to be too tough a hill to climb.
“Soon it’s just going to click,” junior linebacker Mike Greene said about their ability to create turnovers. “In the past Georgetown has been a turnover school. We’re going to get a lot of them.”
If the Hoyas were sickened by the turnover margin, Colgate’s flashy running back Scott demoralized them. He cut, twisted and plowed his way to 175 yards and the one crippling touchdown. What’s worse is that he’s a hometown boy, just two years removed from DeMatha High in Hyattsville, Md.
“He’s a great back, he hits the hole hard,” Greene said. “He came up with big plays, and that was the game: big plays and turnovers.”
The Hoyas did manage one score before being eaten by the turnover bug. On fourth down with 14 yards to go sophomore running back Charlie Houghton made an impressive 19-yard reception on a ball that was tipped twice. That kept the drive alive long enough for Bassuener to complete a 10-yard touchdown pass to junior receiver Kyle Van Fleet.
The Hoyas will be glad to finally get some home cooking this weekend when perennial Patriot League power Lehigh comes to the Hilltop on Saturday at 1 p.m.
“I don’t like bus rides for six or seven hours,” Kelly said. “It’ll be nice to be home.”
