With a 33-yard overtime field goal last Saturday, sophomore Eric Bjonerud clinched the Hoyas’ first win at Bucknell in 66 years. A week later, with renewed vitality, Georgetown looks to earn a second league win – and spoil Holy Cross’ homecoming in the process.

Though the two teams were picked to finish at the bottom of the Patriot League in the preseason poll, with Holy Cross (1-0, 0-0 Patriot) just before bottom-dwelling Georgetown (1-0, 1-0), the Hoyas found unanticipated success in their season opener, scoring a 19-16 conference win. The Crusaders, however, found their only league victory last year at the Hoyas’ expense, a 31-28 win in overtime, and Holy Cross is coming off a 56-21 win over Sacred Heart last week.

The wide margin of victory can be attributed in large part to the Crusaders’ capable offense, headlined last Saturday by senior running back Steve Silva. Silva did it all, running for three touchdowns, catching a pass for another and even throwing two touchdown passes.

The recipient of those two passes was senior quarterback – that’s right, quarterback – John O’Neil, who leads a notoriously versatile Holy Cross offense.

“They probably have one of the best offenses in the Patriot League,” said Georgetown Head Coach Bob Benson. “They are balanced, very talented, and well-coached.”

On the other side of the field, however, will stand an equally able opponent. The Hoya defense forced four fumbles in Saturday’s game, two from junior defensive end Alex Buzbee, and held the Bison to only 274 yards.

If Buzbee and senior defensive end Michael Ononibaku can keep Holy Cross far enough from the end zone, the Hoyas will find themselves with their second Patriot League win of the season, retaining Georgetown’s early grasp on first place and matching a school record.

“We haven’t won against Holy Cross since 1999, so it’s huge,” said Benson. “And the opportunity to go into October 2-0 in conference play on the road [is] enormous.”

Georgetown came close to snapping its string of losses to the Crusaders last season. In a Harbin Field finale in which Kim Sarin, now injured, set Georgetown’s single-season rushing mark, the Hoyas had a 28-14 lead thanks to a quick, two-touchdown start to the second half.

But Holy Cross stormed back to tie the game at 28 and extended its momentum in overtime. After a bad snap left Georgetown without any shot at the 41-yard field goal on its first possession, the Crusaders gained eight yards and prevailed on a 35-yard field goal.

The loss left Georgetown with a 7-10 record against Holy Cross in the all-time series. Yet in Worcester, Mass., the Hoyas are 5-4, and this time around, they’ll be riding the pride of a huge league win. Benson says he expects a renewed focus come Saturday.

“We know we have to earn people’s respect in this league, so we are always on our toes,” he said. Benson’s team earned only 15 points – compared to Bucknell’s 40 – in the Patriot League’s preseason poll.

But when the Hoyas arrive in Worcester for Saturday’s homecoming, there is more on the line than league-wide recognition. Also at stake is the prospect of a 2-0 record, which would mark an impressive turnaround for Georgetown.

The game will be played at Fitton Field at 1 p.m., and the Johnny Turco Memorial Trophy will be presented to its most outstanding player.