Saved By the Rocholl

Columbia 23 Georgetown 21

(Quick recap)

Jon Rocholl did not kick a game winning field goal with no time left, but he was a perfect 3-3 on field goals, (including a 45-yarder), and also kicked some nice punts that all helped Columbia avoid blowing a 20-0 3rd quarter lead. Rocholl is my game MVP.

The Lions defense again provided most of the spark in the first half, but the offense was sharper than last week, getting a touchdown on the opening drive of the game, and driving down the field late in the pressure packed late moments of the fourth quarter to essentially put the game out of reach.

For the second week in a row, Georgetown got a major spark when Matt Bassuener came in to replace Ben Hostetler at QB. Georgetown also managed to take control of the line of scrimmage as the Hoyas ran the ball at will throughout the second half. But a key goal line stand got the defense back into the game.

Columbia QB Craig Hormann had a more solid game, going 14 of 25 for 158 yards, one TD, and no interceptions. Jordan Davis got a career-high 25 carries and 95 yards and the running game was mostly effective. A couple of big reverses, the first a 34-yarder by WR Tim Paulin for the opening TD, the second a nice scamper of about 15 yards by WR Austin Knowlin on the Lions' final drive, made a big difference in the game.

In the first half it was all about the three interceptions thrown by Ben Hostetler, one of which was returned all the way back to the Hoya eight yard line by Eugene Edwards. Three plays later, Hormann found Demko for an eleven yard TD pass and a 14-0 Lion lead.

Bassuener started showing what he could do early in the 3rd quarter after Columbia had taken a 20-0 lead on the 45-yarder by Rocholl. He was an incredible 17 of 24 for 177 yards and three touchdowns, but he also scrambled well and directed the running game brilliantly. If he isn't starting for Georgetown for the rest of the season, they should fire Head Coach Kevin Kelly right away.

Key Turning Point in the Game

Bassuener's brilliant moves cut the Lion lead to 20-14, and with about six minutes left and the Hoyas were knocking on the door with a first and goal at the two. Columbia got lucky on one play when they forced him to throw a little off-balance and a wide open Hoya tight end wasn't able to catch the ball. But all the other plays on that goal line stand were the result of Columbia's solid defense, and Georgetown had to try a 30-yard field goal into the wind. A bad snap doomed that play and the Hoyas never even got the kick off.

The Lions took over at their eleven and did anything but sit on the ball. Hormann hooked up with tight end Jamal Russell for one big gainer, Knowling got his big reverse play, and Jordan Davis also had a nice 15+ yard run before the Columbia drive stalled at the Hoya seven. Rocholl made sure the drive produced some points with the chip shot 24-yarder and the lead was up to 23-14.

Georgetown drove down the field for one more TD, but it was scored with just nine seconds left and the game was over.

More later...