Saturday, September 19, 2015

College Football: Dartmouth 31 Georgetown 10

Kyle Nolan (#10) tosses a 31-yard TD to give Georgetown an early 7-0 lead

You couldn't ask for a better setting (sold-out, sunny, 85°) nor a better start (a 7-0 lead) for the hometown Georgetown Hoyas today; but apparently the Hoyas still have a lot to work on, despite last week's 34-7 victory over Marist. The visiting Big Green of Dartmouth came into Multi-Sport Field with a purpose (and swagger) and crushed Georgetown 31-10 in front of an aforementioned sellout crowd of 2,863. With the loss, the Hoyas fall to 1-2 on the season: Dartmouth stands at 1-0.

After giving up the first score, the Big Green roared back to tally two touchdowns of their own in a span of just 1:57, to take a 14-7 lead after one quarter. Will McNamara scored on a pick-6 with 11:39 left in the half, to push the lead to 21-7 before junior Henry Darmstadter kicked a 30-yard field goal right before halftime, to cut the deficit to 11. Unfortunately, that's as close as Georgetown would get. Dartmouth increased their lead to three touchdowns (31-10 after three quarters) and held the Hoyas scoreless for the entire second half. The Hoyas outgained Dartmouth in total offense yards (331-298) but coughed up three turnovers, which resulted in 14 points. That's the game.

Here come the Hoyas!

Senior QB Kyle Nolan, fresh off Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week honors, completed 31 of 53 passes for 308 yards with 2 interceptions and a 31-yard scoring strike to Matt Buckman, that gave the Hoyas a 7-0 lead with 4:57 remaining in the first quarter. He was also sacked three times, and lost a critical fumble at Dartmouth's goal line in the fourth quarter. Junior wideout Justin Hill led the Hoyas (and all receivers) with 8 catches and 101 yards. Senior Jake DeCicco caught 7 passes for 66 yards; and Buckman finished with 7 receptions, 57 yards and a score.

Senior Jo'el Kimpela (#35) rushed for 29 yards

Running the ball was much, much worse: The Big Green outgained Georgetown, 143-23. Senior Jo'el Kimpela led the Hoyas with 29 yards, but needed a whopping 14 carries (2.1 YPC) to do so. Backup RB Isaa Ellsworth fared a little better, breaking off a 12-yard scamper early in the third quarter on his way to 22 yards (on five rushes.) He also gained 104 yards on six kickoff returns.

Dartmouth's Dalyn Williams (#10) passed for 155 yards and a TD

Dartmouth QB Dalyn Williams passed for 155 yards and a touchdown (27 yards to frosh Dylan Mellor in the third quarter.) He also led all runners with 45 yards (10 carries and a first quarter touchdown.) His overall numbers didn't match Nolan's, but his effort was decidedly more efficient; and on a day when the Big Green's defense was at/near its' best, it was more than enough to secure a win.

Henry Darmstadter (#38) connects on a first quarter PAT

Georgetown travels north to face Columbia and Harvard, before returning home to host Lafayette on October 10 for homecoming. That's also the start of conference play, so lets hope the Hoyas revert back to "Marist-mode" by then... Winning feels (and plays) a whole lot better.

Dartmouth's Ben Kepley (#45) gets off a 41-yard punt

Click here for today's box score.