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.