Week 7 Thoughts

Some thoughts following Georgetown's 14-10 win over Lafayette Saturday:

1. What Might Have Been: Just a week ago, we were asking how five plays might have turned around the finish versus Fordham. This week, Lafayette fans can relate.

This was a very winnable game for the Leopards, in part because they were able to get distance in the secondary and largely contained Georgetown's offense (more on that later). But good teams find ways to win and Lafayette isn't a good team right now. The Leopards gave up an interception in the red zone early in the forth and advanced to the Georgetown eight and failed to score.  Down four, in a game where the teams had combined for two red zone possessions entering this drive, it's very hard to se where three points buys you momentum. Yes, in a different scenario, you get the field goal, hold Georgetown three and out, and march back to win 16-14, it's plausible, but a touchdown might have put the game out of reach. And there's the other scenario where Keegan Shoemaker actually gets out of bounds on that last play setting up a game winning field goal. All in all, however, to many what-ifs and that's why Lafayette heads home 0-7 to play Bucknell.

2. Peak Offense? Well, we knew this wasn't the offense that steamrolled Marist and Catholic by a combined 103-3, but in recent weeks the offense has begin to slow and opponents are about to take advantage.

Georgetown's run game is bearing the brunt of injuries and attrition along the offensive line, and an injury to Herman Moultrie won't help the situation heading into Lehigh. While Georgetown remains third in rushing after two PL games, it has to maintain a priority on running to open up opportunities for Gunther Johnson in the secondary. It is a little frustrating as fans to see how little production the Hoyas' talented receiver corps is getting in the current offense, but that's a reflection of the defensive commitment teams are putting on stopping Georgetown's wide-outs. They won't relent if it the run game is not getting traction.

The run game figures to be a point of emphasis for Lehigh this week. Net of a 94 yard run for a score, Lehigh managed only 40 yards on the ground and

surrendered 330 yards to Fordham last week and that's not going to win you many games going forward. The Engineers managed only four first downs on the ground last week.

3. PL Attendance: It's mid-October but home attendance is bearing the brunt of poor non-conference performances. Throwing out Georgetown's number, average PL attendance in 2019 versus 2009:

Bucknell: 3,339 per game in 2019  vs. 3,018 in 2009

Colgate: 4,087 per game in 2019 vs. 4,642 in 2009

Fordham: 3,777 per game in 2019 vs. 3,886 in 2019

Holy Cross: 9,376 per game in 2019 vs. 7,552 in 2009

Lafayette: 5,015 per game in 2019 vs. 7,623 in 2009

Lehigh: 4,336 per game in 2019 vs. 8,130 in 2009

4. Thanks For The Memories? Unless the west stands of Cooper Field are a clever mirage (and after 15 years, nothing is out of the question), the Nov. 2 game with Colgate will be the final game at the half-finished Cooper Field configuration, with the promise of a new era in 2020.

While the construction plans do not show seats on the east side, the camera angles have been outstanding on the PL network, and if maintained, would allow the video to show the home stands instead of a view into the Harbin parking lot. I fully understand that working in the east press box is hazard pay compared to facilities everywhere else, but having a visitors side makes good sense even if it does not fit the architectural plan originally proffered, and adds capacity to what will still be a very, very small facility.

External communications on the construction have been all but nonexistent--I've said so publicly and privately. During the bye week, we'll discuss the considerable opportunity that a new Cooper Field could do to elevate the program.

Until then, it's on to Lehigh.

Week 6 Thoughts

Some thoughts following Fordham's 30-27 win over Georgetown Saturday:

1. Georgetown In Five Plays. A winnable game, for sure. Georgetown ran 65 plays and these were five plays that may have settled the game.

• Two point conversion, 14:21 1st. Georgetown had run an early two point conversion three times this season, why would Fordham sleep on a fourth? The Rams sniffed out that play before it started, costing Georgetown early momentum and forcing GU back to the well for two more conversions to make up the difference. They missed them all, a net loss of three points. The margin of defeat in this game? Three points.
• Blocked punt, 5:28 2nd. In four years, no one has taught Brad Hurst to stop line-driving his punts. It caught him again Saturday, setting up the Rams for an 18 yard drive to the end zone.
• Fumble, 3:36 3rd. Driving for the go-ahead score late in the third, Joshua Tomas coughs up the ball at the Fordham 3. Not only do the Hoyas miss the opportunity, but the Rams run off the next 6:05 into the fourth quarter, time that Georgetown needed down the stretch.
• Interception, 2:57 4th. Georgetown's late incerception of FiordhM QB Tim DeMorat should have been the story of the game, much like last year where a late pick sealed the victory against Bucknell. Instead, Georgetown watches the clock more than the down marker, and gives up the ball 96 seconds later.
• 4th and 10, 0:17 left. Fordham had to go to the end zone and Georgetown's defense got caught at the line, opening up a seam in the back of the end zone.

A change in fortune in any of these five probably changes the outcome of the game, but that's college football.  Cornell probably had five plays they'd like back against Georgetown and Columbia could say the same. Going forward, however, Georgetown can't give up five game-changing plays in a single game, period.

2. Midterm Grades. At the ahlfway point of the season, how would you rate the 2019 Hoyas? Obviously, it's been a great start, even if the schedule was more remedial than preparatory. The offense has been better than expected and the defense is as good as it has been on the Hilltop in two decades. Georgetown ranks #4 nationally in defense.

The grades would be as follows:

Offensive Line: B+. Giving quarterbacks time a plus, but backs are still not getting enough velocity out of the backfield. Given Georgetown's difficulty in recruiting O-linesman from the nonscholarship ranks, this a good place to be.

Quarterback: B+. Good things this season from Johnson and Brunell, avoiding mistakes and taking advantage of opportunities when they can. Georgetown ranks #15 in passing efficiency even though it is 77th nationally in passing offense. More downfield opportunities will be rewarded.

Running Backs: B. This has been a long term problem for the Hoyas but the backs have responded this year, albeit in games where the opponents did not have a strong rush defense. There are some warning signs, however, given that the remaining opponents are going to really challenge Georgetown on the ground. A 41 percent conversion on third down is a good number in any year.

Wide Receivers: B. Frankly, Georgetown has too much talent in the receiver corps not to use them more often. The Hoyas rank only 77th in passing offense this season.

Defensive Line: A. Simply put, they're good. A healthy Kristian Tate and Wes Bowers would help as well.

Linebackers:  A-. The Fordham game exposed some holes in the 3-3-5 but on the whole the linebackers have risen to the challenge.

Secondary: A. This is as strong a secondary  as Georgetown may have ever fielded in the modern era.

Special Teams: B. Despite the considerable talents of Joshua Tomas, the Hoyas have not dominated kick returns and the punting and kicking game is a continuing struggle. 

3. End of an Era? Saturday's Homecoming should be the last such game played in the current disconfiguration of Cooper Field. I said "should", because after nearly two decades, anything can happen, but a 2020 Homecoming opens a new door to the program and to the students who have, by accident or increasingly by sheer supply, avoided the game because there were no seats.

The final two games in the 1800 seat configuration are sold out. 

Week 4-5 Thoughts

Yep, missed these weeks. Will repost soon.