James LaMacchia

When the Georgetown football team travels up to Poughkeepsie, N.Y., this weekend to take on the 5-3 Marist Red Foxes, much of the defense’s attention will be on Marist senior wide receiver and captain, James LaMacchia. LaMacchia has been a productive receiver in each of the past two seasons, but this year he has taken his game to a whole new level. Leading the team with 49 receptions and 826 yards through eight games, he ranks among the top receivers in the nation. While his 49 receptions are 23rd in the nation, he is second in the Football Championship Subdivision with 826 yards, averaging an impressive 16.9 yards per catch.

This breakthrough season does not come as a complete surprise, however. The 6-foot receiver also led Marist in catches and receiving yards last season, but he was not the focal point of their offense. This season, LaMacchia is the first option for the Marist offense, and as he goes, the team goes. In the five games the Red Foxes have won, LaMacchia has four touchdowns, compared to zero in their three losses. No other player on the team has more than 16 receptions or 161 yards, both of which pale in comparison to LaMacchia’s numbers, which should allow the Hoyas’ defense to focus on shutting him down. If Georgetown can limit LaMacchia’s production, it stands a much greater chance to win its first game of the year.

Jaquan Bryant

The Hoyas will spend a large part of Saturday worried about one of the Red Foxes’ playmakers on the other side of the ball, sophomore cornerback and kick returner Jaquan Bryant. As a freshman, Bryant played in all 10 games and was the team’s leading kickoff returner. This season, his defensive snaps have increased and his special teams reps have decreased, but he still poses a huge threat to any kick coverage team. Although Bryant has only returned eight kickoffs this year, his 25.6 yard average ranks first on the team. With a long return of 73 yards, Bryant is a threat to take the ball to the house every time he touches the ball.

Bryant has excelled as a cornerback this year as well. Bryant did not play much on the defensive side of the ball last year, but his relative inexperience has not shown through this year. Bryant, now a regular starter in the secondary, has a team leading four interceptions, two of which he has returned for touchdowns. The Hoyas’ offense will have to avoid making mistakes in Bryant’s area tomorrow, or a Georgetown offensive drive could quickly turn into a touchdown for Marist.”