8/6/2003  

CENTER VALLEY, Pa ? The Georgetown University football team has been picked to finish seventh in the Patriot League for the 2003 season. The Hoyas gathered 28 points among voting of the league?s coaches and sports information directors to secure seventh place, behind Fordham (98), Colgate (85), Lehigh (72), Lafayette (61), Towson (51) and Holy Cross (31). Bucknell, with 25 points, was predicted to finish eighth.

This season the Hoyas return their leading rusher, John Sims, leading receiver, Luke McArdle, and leading tackler, Andrew Clarke. Clarke led the Patriot League in tackles in last season, with 119, and McArdle posted team-highs in catches (47), receiving yards (803), and touchdowns (7). Sims returns as the team?s top rusher after gaining 369 yards on 121 carries last year.

Georgetown posted a 5-6 overall record last season, and tied for sixth in the Patriot League with a 2-5 conference record. Four of the team?s wins came in the last six games, including both conference victories.

Georgetown opens its 2003 season on Sept. 6 at home against Colgate.

2003 PATRIOT LEAGUE PRESEASON POLL   Team                       Points1. Fordham (12)                   98    2. Colgate (4)                    85          3. Lehigh                         72                      4. Lafayette                      61                        5. Towons                         51                           6. Holy Cross                     31 7. Georgetown                     288. Bucknell                       25

First place votes in parenthesis