Defense to the Rescue: Hoyas Defeat Lafayette, 14-10 (photos)


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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