September 14, 2002
Box Score
Washington, D.C. ? For the second week in a row the Hoyas played a Patriot League foe fresh off a victory against a Division I-A program. Last week Georgetown took on the #3 ranked Lehigh Mountain Hawks. On Saturday afternoon the 25th ranked Holy Cross Crusaders traveled to Harbin Field for Georgetown?s home opener, a 41-13 loss in front of a crowd of 1,276. A strong first half on both sides of the ball paced the Hoyas to a 13-13 halftime score, but second half miscues on special teams and a surging Holy Cross defensive put the game out of reach.
An impressive Hoya offense led by the rushing attack of freshman Kim Sarin (Roseville, Minn. / Cretin-Derham) and some excellent catches by wide receiver Luke McArdle (Boxford, Mass. / Masconomet Regional) threatened the Holy Cross defense throughout the first half. In the first 30 minutes of play Sarin gained 85 yards rushing on 5 carries, one for a touchdown, while McArdle led all Hoya receivers with three catches for 77 yards and a score. The Hoya defense also played very well in the first, pushing Holy Cross out of field goal range on a number of occasions with big tackles and two forced turnovers.
The Holy Cross defense started the second half aggressively, limiting Sarin to 5 carries for 10 yards and a fumble and McArdle to just one catch. The Georgetown offense was only able to put together 45 yards of rushing and 44 yards of passing offense in the second half while allowing the Crusaders to accumulate twice as many yards on the afternoon. Though struggling on offense, the Hoyas kept themselves within striking distance with exceptional defensive play, but fatigue and poor special teams play made the task that much harder for the Hoyas.
Holy Cross scored on its opening drive but missed the extra point, putting them in front by six early. Georgetown began their first offensive possession with good field position, but was forced to settle for a punt. On Holy Cross?s next series, quarterback Brian Hall was picked off by Georgetown freshman Rocco Milazzotto (Dallas, Texas / Jesuit) who sprinted down the field for a 53 yard defensive score, but a roughing the passer penalty negated the play, giving the ball to Holy Cross on the Georgetown 28. The Hoya defense dug in and forced Holy Cross out of field goal range but they still trailed by six.
On the opening play of the second quarter Crusader running back Bill Pragalz fumbled near midfield and the ball was recovered by linebacker Andrew Clarke (Ridgewood, N.J. / Ridgewood), giving the Hoyas new life at their own 46. On the first play quarterback Morgan Booth (San Marino, Calif. / Pasadena Polytechnic) threw a beautiful pass to McArdle who, double covered, was running for the end zone. McArdle turned at the three-yard line and leapt in the air, catching the pass through the outstretched arms of one Holy Cross defender before breaking a tackle and plunging into the end zone for the Hoya?s first score. The point after was unsuccessful, knotting the score at 6-6.
After a tough defensive stand on the next series the Hoyas began a four play drive that took them from their own 18 yard line into the Holy Cross end zone on the back of freshman running back Kim Sarin. After a pass to Bo Cote (Arlington, Va. / Landon) gave them a first down, Sarin broke off the left side of the line and sprinted 58 yards to the Holy Cross 14. Two plays later Sarin took the ball and ran untouched into the end zone to put the Hoyas up 13-6.
With 1:12 left in the half, Holy Cross passed the ball into the Hoya end zone to tie the score at 13-13.
The Hoya?s first drive of the second half stalled and Holy Cross advanced the ball into field goal range, adding three points to their score. Down 16-13, the Hoyas tried to regain the momentum, but were forced to punt once again. Georgetown?s special teams had held the Holy Cross returners to negligible yards on punt and kickoff returns in the first half but a 50-yard return to the Georgetown one-yard line set up the Crusader?s third touchdown. Down 28-13 to start the fourth, Booth was sacked and fumbled the ball on his own 20, leading to another Holy Cross touchdown two plays later.
Booth finished the day 10 for 24 for 143 yards with one touchdown. On defense the Hoyas were led by Andrew Clarke who made 11 tackles and recorded a key fumble recovery to start the second quarter. Defensive backs Jason Carter (North Brunswick, N.J. / North Brunswick) and Byron Anderson (Montgomery Village, Md. / DeMatha) both finished with five tackles and an interception apiece.
Georgetown will meet Fairfield on Saturday September 21st at 1pm on Harbin Field for Homecoming weekend.
