Defense to the Rescue: Hoyas Defeat Lafayette, 14-10 (photos)
By • October 20, 2019 0 1450
The Georgetown Hoyas (5-2, 1-1 Patriot League) moved back to their winning ways by moving to a 14-10 halftime lead and holding on against visiting Patriot League opponent Lafayette (0-7, 0-1) by the same score at Cooper Field on Saturday, Oct. 19.
The Hoyas defense paved the way to their first points as defensive back Delano Salgado intercepted a Keegan Shoemaker pass early in the first quarter, giving the offense great field position on the Leopard 21-yard line. The drive appeared stalled three plays later when the Hoyas were faced with a fourth down and 19. Coach Rob Sgarlata’s gamble to go for it was rewarded when, on the next snap, Hoyas quarterback Gunther Johnson kept the chains moving with a 21-yard run. Three plays later, Johnson connected on an eight-yard TD pass to wide receiver Michael Dereus to make it 7-0.
Late in the first quarter, the Leopards tied the score on an 86-yard touchdown run by running back Jaden Sutton, then took the lead on a 44-yard Jeffrey Kordenbrock field goal to make it 10-7. The Hoyas responded by marching 70 yards, culminating in a completion to Joshua Stakely from one yard out, giving the Hoyas their final 14-10 lead.
The second half was scoreless. Ahmad Wilson’s interception stopped a Lafayette drive in the third quarter. A 25-yard field goal missed by Jeffrey Kordenbrock ended the Leopards’ only potential scoring drive in the fourth.
It was a needed win after last week’s stunning loss to Fordham in the final seconds. As in that game, the Hoyas surrendered the ball inside their opponents’ territory on downs ahead by four points in the waning moments of the game. Last week, Fordham marched 74 yards with 1:21 to go and no timeouts. This time, Lafayette had just 32 seconds to make up 75 yards and simply ran out of time.
Johnson was 21-of-36 passing for 160 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. Johnson also led his team in rushing yardage with 35 on eight carries. Shoemaker was 13-23 for 172 yards passing and two interceptions. Lafayette’s Sutton led all rushers with 100 yards on just four carries.
The Hoyas next travel to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, for a 12:30 p.m. kickoff against the Lehigh Mountain Hawks (3-3, 2-0 Patriot League) on Saturday, Oct. 26. The game will be live-streamed on Stadium. The next home game is scheduled for noon on Nov. 2 against Colgate (1-7, 0-2 Patriot League).
View photos of the game by Jeff Malet and Rena Schild by clicking on the photo icons below.
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- A beautiful day for a game at Cooper Field on the Georgetown U Campus. The field’s west stands are currently undergoing construction. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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- Late in the first quarter, the Leopards tied the score on an 86-yard touchdown run by running back Jaden Sutton. Leon Agee of the Hoyas can’t catch him. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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- Jaden Sutton of Lafayette led all rushers with 100 yards on just 4 carries. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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- Hoyas wide receiver Tiy Reed (photo by Jeff Malet)
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- Freshman running back John Gay of the Leopards (photo by Jeff Malet)
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- Wide receiver Michael Dereus of the Hoyas (photo by Rena Schild)
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- Keegan Shoemaker of Lafayette was 13-23 for 172 yards passing and two interception. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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- Ahmad Wilson’s interception stopped a Lafayette drive in the third quarter. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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- Ahmad Wilson’ (1) makes a key interception in the 3q and Justin Fonteneaux (45) helps him celebrate (photo by Rena Schild)
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- The defense celebrates a stop on Ahmad Wilson’s third quarter interception. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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- Coach Rob Sgarlata argues with officials over a critical ball placement late in the game. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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- Hoyas wide receiver Skyler Springs of coralled by Eric Mitchell and Romeo Wykle of the Leopards (photo by Rena Schild)
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- Hoyas quarterback Gunther Johnson escapes from linebacker Keith Earle of the Leopards. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Lafayette punter Ryan O’Hara was kept busy. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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- Joe Gillette receives a punt for the Leopards. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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- Roemello Walton of the Hoyas is called for pass interfierence against Joe Gillette of the Leopards deep in Hoyas territory late in the game. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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- Keegan Shoemaker was 13-23 for 172 yards passing and two interceptions. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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- Keegan Shoemaker was 13-23 for 172 yards passing and two interceptions. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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- Wide receiver Nick Pearson of the Leopards, Ibrahim Kamara of the Hoyas defending. (photo by Rena Schild)
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- Joe Gillette of Lafayette is stopped near the goal line by Delano Salgado of the Hoyas in the 4th quarter. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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- A Jeffrey Kordenbrock missed 25 yard field goal ended the Leopards’ only potential scoring drive in the fourth. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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- Gunther Johnson of the Hoyas was 21-of-36 passing for 160 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. (photo by Jeff Malet)
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- Running back Jackson Saffold of the Hoyas with the ball late in the game.. (photo by Rena Schild)
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- Ryan Jelinek (61) leads the cheers celebrating the victory over Lafayette. (photo by Jeff Malet)
