Some thoughts following Georgetown's 31-20 win over Wagner Saturday:
1. Climbing The Ladder: Yes, Wagner was a step above Davidson, and yes, Lafayette will be a step above Wagner. That said, there were a number of positives coming out of this game.
The Georgetown offensive line continues to be unsung heroes after the second week of the season. Down two starters in Losini Maka and Josh Sauwickie after week one, players stepped up and did what they had to do: open holes for the run and protecting the quarterback. The line has allowed only one sack in its first two games (tied for sixth nationally) and that has given Danny Lauter the time not to rush into his progressions and throw the wayward pass that was more common than it ought to have been last season.
The line has been prominent in the output from the backfield. Savion Hart averaged 5.3 yards a carry in the Wagner game, Bryce Cox was just under three yards a carry. Both will be tested Saturday against a Lafayette defense allowing just 2.92 yards per carry, but Cox rushed for an average of 3.89 yards per carry last season versus the Leopards, and his size may be to Georgetown's advantage in this one. The line has also allowed, for the second consecutive week, for Dez Thomas to be a problem to defenses. His 67 yard run was not only vital for the outcome of Saturday's game, but it shows how a mobile quarterback and an offensive line in tandem can open opportunities for big gains. Thomas literally ran through the middle of the Wagner line, but having a capable line was vital.
Georgetown's biggest enemy for its offensive line is injury. It won't say what the severity of the injuries are to Maka and Sauwickie, and patchwork lines will eventually fail as the season progresses. This game proved a positive one for a group that will be called upon each and every week to drive the Hoyas forward.
2. Turning Points: There are usually four or five plays in any college football that are determinative, whether the result of an offensive play, a special teams decision, or a defensive stop. Nick Dunneman's punt return was one, Dez Thomas' run was another. None may have been as important, however, as the first play coming out of the rain delay.
Down seven, Wagner had drove to the Georgetown 23 and faced a third and eight when the game was halted. The Seahawks had enjoyed considerable success on the ground all day, as evidenced by three drives of 13 plays or more and three backs averaging four or more yards per carry. A Wagner first down extends a drive that likely ties the score with under five minutes remaining, and BC transfer RB Andre Hines was a touch stop all afternoon. However, John Caramanico's stop of Hines to a one yard gain forced a field goal and Georgetown responded with a touchdown on the next drive to put the game out of reach.
Obviously, this isn't a turning point if Georgetown is down three touchdowns, but it's a credit to the coaches to focus on Hines in the break to limit Wagner from the red zone.
3. Kicking Matters. What was going to be a few thoughts bemoaning a missed extra point (the third in two games) has taken a back seat to something perhaps more important: the power of the kickoff.
Of 12 Wagner drives, six started at the 25, including touchbacks on every kick after a Georgetown score. The Hoyas rank sixth nationally after two weeks in number of kickoff touchbacks (6), and for a team that can sometimes struggle to manage defensive field position, that's a positive sign.
Between games at Kansas and Georgetown, Wagner has returned just one kickoff to date this season for 15 yards, while Lafayette has returned eight kicks for 140 yards through two games, a 17.5 yard per kick average.
4. Attendance Questions: Was it the weather, the opponent, or just a lack of interest? Saturday's attendance of 1,276 was the lowest for a game at Cooper Field in eight years.
While Wagner doesn't have a base of support in the Washington area, it drew better in its 2012 and 2014 appearances to Multi-Sport Field (averaging 2,064).
It is a tried and true statement: Georgetown does not promote football very well among students and local alumni. Dark clouds can lead some students away, but it's more than that. Georgetown promoted a Friday night soccer game versus Duke that drew over 2,000, mostly students, and most of those same fans took a pass on Wagner. With no schedule conflicts Saturday, there needs to be better turnout, but you can't get turnout without program awareness, and there is far too little of it.
What say you, Hoya Blue?
5. Around the PL:
Lehigh 28, Sacred Heart 10: The Engineers are at the top of the standings and showed it Saturday, outgaining the visiting Pioneers 423-177 for a 28-10 win before 3,168 at Goodman Stadium. Luke Yoder led all rushers with 12 carries and 127 yards.
Lafayette 42, Stonehill 26: Kente Edwards rushed for 127 yards and three touchdowns as the Leopards led 28-6 at halftime and never looked back before 2,351 at W.B. Mason Stadium. The Leopards averaged nearly eight yards a carry, outgaining the homestanding Skyhawks 319-71.
New Hampshire 19, Holy Cross 16: Another last minute setback for the Crusaders, allowing the homestanding Wildcats a game winning field goal as time expired, 19-16, before 6,509 at Wildcat Stadium. After HC missed a 34 yard field goal with 1:40 left, the Wildcats drove 45 yards in nine plays for the winning score.
Bucknell 34, Marist 23: In a game that probably shouldn't have been this close, the Bison never trailed but could not put the Red Foxes away, winning 34-23 before 1,923 at Tenney Stadium. Ralph Rucker threw for 236 yards for the Bison but need two fourth quarter touchdowns to ensure the win.
Villanova 24, Colgate 17: In a closely fought game, neither team scored in the fourth quarter as Villanova opened its season with a 24-17 win before 4,151 at Villanova Stadium. All five drives in the fourth quarter ended in punts, as neither side could move beyond midfield.
Monmouth 48, Fordham 28: Another rough night for the Fordham defense, as Monmouth QB Derek Robertson threw for six touchdowns, including the final TD with under five minutes left in a game out of reach. The Rams managed just 39 yards on the ground.
Richmond 14, Wofford 10: Despite an advantage on both sides of the ball, the Spiders had to battle to steer past Wofford, 14-10, before 2,765 at Wofford's Gibbs Stadium. The teams combined for 16 punts, in a defensive battle where UR scored late in the third for the win..
