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.
