If football is a game of momentum, then Georgetown and Fordham are perfectly matched opponents.

Last Saturday, Georgetown suffered a crushing defeat to Cornell, 57-7, while less than a hundred miles away, Fordham lost to Colgate, 23-0. This Saturday’s contest promises to be a bounce-back effort for one team.

It also marks the Georgetown’s 2005 homecoming game. With recent alumni, parents and surely a few extra students expected to turn out, Head Coach Bob Benson is excited to come home.

“We’re certainly excited to play at home on the Hilltop,” he said. “It’s a great atmosphere to play in. We’ll be ready. We’ve got to come out firing on all cylinders.”

With a 1-2 Patriot League record, Georgetown has its first-ever chance to be at .500 in Patriot League play heading into November. Since entering the league after the 2000 season, the Hoyas haven’t won more than two league games. Fordham, meanwhile, is 0-6 overall and 0-2 in league play.

Last week’s loss to Cornell proved discouraging. Though playing one of the Ivy League’s best – and the Ivy League is proving itself superior to the Patriot League thus far this season – Georgetown’s 50-point loss was not exactly what Benson was hoping for.

Missing starting senior quarterback Nick Cangelosi to an ankle injury, the offense managed just 86 yards. Cornell outgained the Hoyas by 325 yards. Freshman Ben Hostetler, Cangelosi’s replacement, was serviceable, completing five passes for 53 yards and a touchdown strike to sophomore tight end Harrison Beacher.

It was on the ground that Cornell did most of its damage. The Big Red had three 70-yard rushers, including senior quarterback Ryan Kuhn, who scrambled for 85 yards and two scores. Freshman tailback Shane Kilcoyne also rushed for two touchdowns. The difference on the ground was Cornell’s offensive line, which was able to bully Georgetown’s defensive unit all day long. Cornell had a 22-5 advantage in first downs and held onto the ball 17 minutes longer than the Hoyas.

“We broke down in too many areas. We lost our poise,” Benson said. “But we played a good team, and we need to step back and show some accountability and responsibility.”

Fordham suffered a disappointing defeat of its own. Outgained by 253 yards, the Rams were shut out by perennial Patriot League power Colgate. Perhaps the only consolation for the Rams was that they kept the game scoreless through one quarter.

Fordham’s season has not been an easy one. Though they are winless through six games, the Rams have been playing most teams close for a quarter or two, and then simply allowing the game to escape their grasp.

Fordham ranks second-to-last in the league in scoring offense – with Georgetown holding semi-permanent residence in the basement, averaging a mere 8.9 points per game – and last in scoring defense, allowing 29 points per contest.

Georgetown ranks fifth of seven Patriot League teams in scoring defense. And in the only statistical category that actually matters, Georgetown leads Fordham three wins to none.

Still, despite Fordham’s struggles, Benson is giving Georgetown’s homecoming opponent his respect. Benson scoffed at the notion that a week after a 50-point defeat was the perfect time to play a winless team, pointing out that Fordham has emerged victorious from 10 straight head-to-head matchups.

Perhaps the biggest challenge this week for the Hoyas will be getting healthy. The return of Cangelosi is uncertain. Robert LaHayne, a senior offensive lineman, is another key offensive starter whose recovery Benson is banking on.

Hostetler, Cangelosi’s replacement, did his best in his first collegiate start. “He did all right,” Benson said. “He struggled a bit, but we didn’t give him any help.”

Still, Hostetler, whose dad, brother and uncle have all played college football, completed his first collegiate touchdown pass.

On Saturday, Georgetown is looking to bounce back. Fordham wants to get into the win column. The Hoyas can’t score. The Rams can’t stop their opponents from scoring. Georgetown will have the homecoming crowd on its side. Fordham has history in its corner.

But, ultimately, the game will be decided on the field. Saturday, in front of a sizeable crowd, Georgetown will look to make some history.