What's that saying, "nowhere to go but up?"
After the worst season in school history, season five of the Kevin Kelly era begins with both anticipation and concern. The anticipation is that Georgetown can pull itself out of a ten year ditch and begin to carry its weight in the Patriot League. The concern, with 38 losses in Kelly's 43 game tenure, is whether this team will be able to do so.
Major surgery was performed on the 2010 schedule, with Richmond, Old Dominion and Howard (combined record: 22-13) sent away for considerably lighter competition in Davidson, Wagner, and Sacred Heart (combined record: 11-20). An opener with Davidson offers a timely test for Georgetown's reclamation efforts, with the Wildcats facing many of the same challenges that face the Hoyas heading into 2010.
The Wildcats know what it's like to start slow--Davidson was outscored a combined 98-0 in its first two games of 2009. Finishing 3-7 in 2009, the Wildcats will look for stability at quarterback and receiver to improve upon an offense that averaged only 12.5 points per game last season.
At mid-week, quarterback Matt Heavner appeared to have the nod to start in Saturday's game. With 2009 QB Matt Blanchard moved to tight end, Heavner (34-70-5, 227 yards in 2009) directs an offense with All-PFL running back Kenny Mantuo (139-677, 5 TD) and senior Justin Williams in the backfield, with wideout Mark Hanabury (32-309, 1 TD) as a primary target down field. The concern for Davidson is an offensive line that was battered early last season and did not fully recover by season's end. The starting linemen average about 280 pounds, which is comparable to Georgetown but, like Georgetown, trails most of its opponents.
Defensively, the Wildcats are thin up front and lost five linemen to graduation, which presents Georgetown a rare opportunity to test its somewhat shaky ground game. All-PFL candidate Daniel Astrop leads a more experienced linebacker corps and the senior-strong secondary should be a tougher test for Georgetown's passing efficiency.
For the Hoyas, it's all about an offense that sank to the bottom of I-AA during Jim Miceli's run as offensive coordinator and will look for new life under new OC David Patenaude. Junior QB Scott Darby appears to lead at QB and will hope that Philip Oladeji can take the reins at RB after the loss of Charlie Houghton, who did not return in 2010. Wilburn (Chance) Logan and Dalen Claytor figure to get a share of carries but the Hoyas may go as far as Oladeji can take them, at least in this game. The receiver corps was decimated by three players that did not return, but will count upon a pair of returning slotbacks in Keerome Lawrence and Jeremiah Kayal for short gains--the long ball targets are all unproven quantities at this point.
Defensively, the Hoyas figure to bend but not break--if the offense can help with time of possession. Both Nick Parrish and Andrew Schaetzke figure to get their share of tackles, but the move to the 4-3 meets a good test with Davidson's pro-style offensive sets. The Hoyas may be challenged with newcomers in the secondary and this will be a point of emphasis for Davidson's quarterbacks--if the line gives Heavner the time, he can find the receivers.
Some keys to the game:
1. A Quick Start: Neither team showed very much in first quarters of games in 2009: the two teams were outscored a combined 168-44 in first quarter action last season. The Hoyas would do well to follow the example set in its last appearance at Richardson Stadium, rushing 61 times and jumping to an early first quarter lead en route to a 24-0 win in 2004, the last time GU has shut out a road opponent.
2. Rushing Options: Each team could see its leading rusher double-teamed by opposing defenses. With neither quarterback a run threat, a second option in the backfield may be a difference-maker.
3. Clean The Cleats: While Hurricane Earl will have passed the Carolinas by Saturday night, the condition and drainage of the field may be an issue. The Hoyas haven't fared too well on natural grass fields (only two wins since 2005), but they haven't done all that well on any surface of late.
Yes, the future begins Saturday. While somewhat thin on returning experience, Georgetown has a chance to start making believers out of fans, and believers in themselves. A game with Richmond wouldn't have allowed that, but perhaps this is the kind of opportunities to build some new foundations with.
