Hoyas Defeat Lehigh in Double Overtime (photos)
By • October 22, 2018 0 1404
The Georgetown Hoyas (4-4. 3-0 Patriot League) remained unbeaten in conference play with a thrilling double-overtime win against the Lehigh Mountain Hawks (1-6, 0-2 Patriot League): 22-16 at Cooper Field on Oct. 20. It was Georgetown’s third straight win, and the first time the Hoyas defeated Lehigh in conference play since they joined the league 18 years ago. They had not beaten a Lehigh squad since 1925. Georgetown sophomore running back Jackson Saffold scored both overtime touchdowns for the home squad.
The game got off to a quick start as Georgetown scored on the third play of the game, with Hoyas quarterback Gunther Johnson connecting with junior wide receiver Michael Dereus for a 70-yard touchdown reception, making it 7-0.
This was matched a few minutes later as Mountain Hawks quarterback Brad Mayes threw to wide receiver Jorge Portorreal for an 85-yard touchdown to make it 7-6. However, a blocked extra point and runback by Georgetown sophomore linebacker Wes Bowers resulted in a rare two-point defensive conversion, stretching the Hoyas’ lead to 9-6. That’s how the score would remain until Lehigh tied the game with a 27-yard field goal, with under four minutes remaining in regulation time.
In the first overtime period, the teams traded touchdowns. The Hoyas’ Jackson Saffold scored first on a plunge from the two-yard line. Mayes subsequently passed to junior receiver Devon Bibbens for a touchdown on a fourth-and-five from the 20-yard line.
In the second overtime, a Mayes pass was juggled by a Lehigh receiver and picked off by Hoyas’ senior defensive back Jethro Francois just before stepping out of bounds. Jackson Saffold then provided the heroics, with runs of 23 and two yards to clinch the Georgetown victory.
The Hoyas will face a tough test to keep their winning streak going next week, when they go on the road to take on Colgate (6-0, 3-0 Patriot League). Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. ET. Their next home game at Cooper Field on the Georgetown campus will be Nov. 10 against Bucknell.
View Jeff Malet’s game photos from the sidelines by clicking on the photo icons below.
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- Cooper Field on the Georgetown campus is undergoing renovations.
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- Hoyas’ Cameron Deen intercepted a Brad Mayes pass and is brought down at the Lehigh 45-yard line in the first quarter.
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- Brad Mayes is pressured by Khristian Tate (44) and Owen Kessler (90)
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- Lehigh punter Ed Mish
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- Hoyas running back Jay Tolliver
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- An opportunity missed. Lehigh defensive back Sam McClosky drops a potential interception.
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- Lehigh running back Dominick Bragalone is chased by GT linebacker Owen Kessler (photo by Jeff Malet)
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- Lehigh wide receiver Austen Dambach has a long pass go off his finers at the goal line. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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- Lehigh’s Ed Mish attempts a field goal. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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- Georgetown Punter Brad Hurst (photo by Jeff Malet)
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- Lehigh running back Dominick Bragalone (photo by Jeff Malet)
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- Lehigh’s Brad Mayes was 16-40 for 253 yards, but two interceptions proved costly. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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- Lehigh running back Rashawn Allen (photo by Jeff Malet)
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- Georgetown sophomore running back Jackson Saffold (photo by Jeff Malet)
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- Georgetown sophomore running back Jackson Saffold (photo by Jeff Malet)
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- Hoyas’ Gunther Johnson was 16 of 37 for 270 yards, but three passes accounted for nearly half the yardage. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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- Georgetown sophomore running back Jackson Saffold scores in the first overtime on a 2 yard plunge. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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- Hoyas defensive lineman Duval Paul grabs the jersey and brings down Dominick Bragalone of Lehigh (photo by Jeff Malet)
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- Gang tackling Georgetown sophomore running back Jackson Saffold.
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- This Brad Mayes throw in the 2nd OT was picked off by senior defensive back Jethro Francois after the Lehigh receiver fumbled and kicked up the ball. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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- Georgetown sophomore running back Jackson Saffold steps on the goal line for the decisive score in the second overtime. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Hoyas celebrate a historic win against nemesis Lehigh (photo by Jeff Malet)
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- Final score after 2 overtime periods. (photo by Jeff Malet)
