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Hoyas’ Comeback Against Columbia Falls Short (photos)

By Jeff Malet • September 24, 2018 0 1725

Junior wide receiver Ronald Smith caught seven passes for 113 yards and a touchdown for Columbia. Here he is chased down by the Hoyas’ Cameron Deen. Photo by Jeff Malet.

The Georgetown football Hoyas came a few yards short in a dramatic comeback attempt against the Columbia Lions before a sellout homecoming crowd on Saturday, Sept. 22, at Cooper Field on the Georgetown University campus.

The Hoyas (1-2) trailed the Lions (2-0) 23-0 before denting the scoreboard with a one-yard plunge by running back Jake Tolliver with just 8:35 left in the contest. The Hoyas would score again and had first down on the Columbia nine-yard line in the game’s closing minutes. After throwing three straight incompletions, Georgetown junior quarterback Gunther Johnson was sacked and Columbia would kneel the game out to hold on for the 23-15 win.

Located on the south side of the Georgetown University campus, Cooper Field, formerly known a Multi-Sport Field, is currently undergoing substantial renovations, including a new 3,000-seat facility featuring new restrooms, locker rooms and other features. Cooper Field currently has the distinction of being the smallest stadium in all of NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision or Football Championship subdivisions. The building project is a result of a $50-million donation in 2015 to Georgetown University from the Cooper family, announced Oct. 6, 2015. For the current season, spectators will be confined to the bleachers on the east side of the field.

The Hoyas have dropped three straight after an opening day win at Marist (39-14). These included a home loss to Campbell University (8-13) and an away loss to Dartmouth (0-41). The team will not play again at home until Oct. 20 against Lehigh.

View Jeff Malet’s photos from the sidelines of the homecoming game against Columbia (and the home loss to Campbell) on a rainy Sept. 8 by clicking on the photo icons below.

: Hoyas Gunther Johnson hands off to Jay Tolliver. ( Photo by Jeff Malet)

: Hoyas punter Brad Hurst against Columbia ( Photo by Jeff Malet)

: Columbia quarterback Ty Lenhart ( Photo by Jeff Malet)

: Columbia junior wide receiver Ronald Smith caught a 14-yard strike from Davis for the score early in the first quarter. ( Photo by Jeff Malet)

: Hoyas Wesley Bowers’ 23-yard interception return late in the first half ( Photo by Jeff Malet)

: Hoyas Brandon Williams goes up against Will Allen ( Photo by Jeff Malet)

: Ball sails over the head of Columbia’s Kyle Castner ( Photo by Jeff Malet)

: Hoyas Blaise Brown calls for a fair catch. Lions’ Patrick Eby watches in case he makes a mistake. ( Photo by Jeff Malet)

: Jay Tolliver of Georgetown evades Columbia’s Sean White ( Photo by Jeff Malet)

: Hoyas Gunther Johnson hands off to Jay Tolliver. Photo by Jeff Malet

: Hoyas warm up for the second half. ( Photo by Jeff Malet)

: Hoyas Gunther Johnson launches a pass early in the 2nd half. ( Photo by Jeff Malet)

: Senior Lions kicker Chris Alleyne on one of two extra points. He was a perfect three-for-three on field goals including a career-long 46-yarder. ( Photo by Jeff Malet)

: Columbia junior defensive end Daniel DeLorenzi drilled Johnson and forced a fumble. Junior linebacker Michael Murphy recovered for the Lions at the Georgetown 29. ( Photo by Jeff Malet)

: Columbia junior defensive end Daniel DeLorenzi drilled Johnson and forced a fumble. Junior linebacker Michael Murphy recovered for the Lions at the Georgetown 29. ( Photo by Jeff Malet)

: Junior wide receiver Ronald Smith caught seven passes for 113 yards and a touchdown for Columbia. Here he is chased down by the Hoyas’ Cameron Deen. Photo by Jeff Malet.

: Columbia quarterback Ty Lenhart ( Photo by Jeff Malet)

: Hoyas junior tight end Isaac Schley caught a shovel pass for the two-point conversion to make the score 23-8. ( Photo by Jeff Malet)

: Ryan Suitt of Columbia returns a kick-off in the 2nd half. ( Photo by Jeff Malet)

: Dante Miller of Columbia ( Photo by Jeff Malet)

: Columbia punter Drew Schmid ( Photo by Jeff Malet)

: Sophomore defensive lineman Ogonna Oraedu tore his way through the Georgetown offensive line to make what was effectively a game-ending sack. ( Photo by Jeff Malet)