What if starting quarterback Ben Hostetler, a sophomore, had not thrown three interceptions in the first 22 minutes of play? What if hadn’t been allowed to – what if first-year Head Coach Kevin Kelly had replaced Hostetler with junior backup Matt Bassuener, who ended up having a career day, after the second interception?
What if the Hoyas had converted either of their two field goal tries – one, a 30-yard attempt in the second quarter by junior kicker/punter Eric Bjonerud that flew wide left, and the other a potential 25-yard chip shot with 6:30 left in the game that never materialized because a bad snap prematurely brought the play to a halt?
What if Georgetown hadn’t committed 10 penalties – four of which were committed by the Hoyas’ defense on third or fourth down – and lost 77 yards as a result?
And the most agonizing question of all: What if junior wide receiver Charlie Curtis, all alone in the end zone, had not dropped a potentially game-tying touchdown pass on second-and-goal from the two-yard line with 6:52 remaining in the contest?
Fortunately, the fact that the game was decided by two points and a slight change to any number of the games’ intricacies indicates that Georgetown took part in its most competitive game against an Ivy League opponent since it beat Cornell on Oct. 18, 2003.
Unfortunate, though, is that those questions will linger in the Georgetown camp as the Hoyas look to regroup following the latest loss.
From a Monday morning quarterback’s perspective, Curtis’ drop, the most tantalizing play of the game, is probably beyond reproach. Bassuener, by his own admission, did not throw a great pass; Curtis did not appear to be lacking any effort, but, for whatever reason, he could not come up with the football. It was an unfortunate play unlikely to have any tangible impact on the rest of the season.
The other three incidents, however, represent important questions as Kelly and his team continue to pursue a new era of Georgetown football.
The situation at quarterback is the most glaring and the most pressing. After Bassuener made his season debut in the Hoyas’ 34-21 loss to Brown on Sept. 16 and completed 17-of-21 passes for 154 yards and two scores, a quarterback controversy seemed to be waiting in the wings, one poor Hostetler-start away. But, the disparity between Hostetler (4-of-8 for 29 yards; zero touchdowns and three interceptions) and Bassuener (17-of-22 for 177 yards and three scores) was so marked that there seems to be little controversy.
Bassuener’s efficiency rating this season is 182.10; Hostetler’s is 96.74. Just for perspective’s sake, Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith, a Heisman-hopeful, totes a 159.86 rating. Bassuener (buh-ZEEN-er, for those who feel the need to learn how to say the name of the latest face at quarterback for the Hoyas) has proven himself to be the man for the job.
For a team that spoke so much about discipline during training camp, to use senior linebacker Chris Paulus’ own words, Georgetown was “shot in the foot” by a lack of it against the Lions.
“[Penalties were] terrible,” Paulus said after the game. “We can’t let it happen, we had too many penalties. Jumping off the ball [and] pass interferences, really shot us in the foot way too many times.”
With Columbia facing third down and eight yards to go on the game’s first drive, the Hoyas forced an incomplete pass but also committed their first penalty, a 10-yard defensive holding call that gave the Lions a new set of downs. On the very next play, junior receiver Tim Paulin ran for 34 yards and the game’s first touchdown.
Later, in the third quarter, in another third-and-long situation, Georgetown was whistled for pass interference and Columbia received an automatic first down. On the very next play, the Hoyas jumped off sides. Five plays later, on third down with two yards to go, Georgetown committed yet another pass interference penalty. The drive ended in a field goal.
Those were just the most obviously significant of the penalties against the Hoyas. Contrast that with Columbia’s five penalties for 41 yards, and another key difference in Saturday’s game is illuminated.
In a game decided by just two points, any one of these penalties could have made the difference between a win and a loss. Georgetown will need to be more disciplined when Patriot League play resumes next Saturday.
Another stark contrast between the two teams’ kicking games was also significant.
Columbia sophomore kicker and punter Jon Rocholl was, to quote Lions’ sophomore running back Jordan Davis, “the man.” Rocholl drilled field goals from 45, 41 and 23 yards. He is now 6-for-6 on the season. He also made all three PATs. He averaged 42 yards a punt, including a 63-yard boot and two kicks that were pinned inside the 20.
On the other side, Georgetown twice tried unsuccessfully for a field goal. The first attempt came with 1:45 left in the first half when Bjonerud sent a rocket straight into the left upright. The second chance came with about 6:30 to go in the game. A bad snap from freshman Dan Matheny prevented Bjonerud from a 25-yard try at redemption. A field goal there would have brought the Hoyas to within three. Georgetown did punt the ball well, as junior Chris acGriff punted twice for an average of 41 yards and a long punt of 45.
The advantage Rocholl gave to the Lions should not be underestimated. Rather than go for it on fourth down in opponent’s territory, as the Hoyas have done numerous times so far in the young season, Columbia Head Coach Norries Wilson was able to bring the kicker on and get an easy three points. Switch Rocholl with Bjonerud and it’s a new ballgame.
“It’s always good to have “Rock,” Columbia junior quarterback Craig Hormann said of his team’s kicker. “He’s been consistent and all of us count on him to do a good job.”
Senior linebacker Adam Brekke, on the other hand, was complimentary of Rocholl’s punting.
“Anytime you can knock a 65-yard punt and pin them inside the five-yard line that really helps the defense; so we all love him,” he said.
Bjonerud and the Hoyas will need to sure up the kicking game if they are to have more success next week.
Georgetown outgained Columbia 177-145 on the ground and 206-158 in the air. The Hoyas earned 26 first downs to the Lion’s 15. Time of possession was basically even (28 minutes and change for Georgetown) and neither team had more than two sacks (the Lions had two, the Hoyas one). But one killer drop by Curtis, a nightmarish outing from Hostetler, and a noticeable Columbia advantage in the kicking game, and Georgetown came out on the short end of a very entertaining – and more importantly, competitive – afternoon in the Big Apple.