Aug. 2, 2005

WASHINGTON, DC - The Georgetown University football team has been picked to finish seventh in the Patriot League for the 2005 season. The Hoyas gathered 15 points among voting of the league's coaches and sports information directors to secure seventh place, behind Lehigh (68), Lafayette (61), Colgate (49), Fordham (41), Bucknell (40) and Holy Cross (20).

This year will be the inaugural season of the Hoyas new home: the Multi-Sport Field. Georgetown will be playing in the middle of Georgetown's picturesque campus and on a new surface as the field will employ FieldTurf, the same turf used at 21 NFL Facilities. Outside of the Hoyas' Patriot League foes Georgetown plays two Ivy League opponents when the Hoyas face Brown and Cornell. It is the first time in the history of Georgetown varsity football that the Hoyas will face two Ivy opponents.

The Hoya defense brings back 9-of-11 starters from a squad which shutout two opponents last year, the first time that had happened since 1998. Led by upperclassmen in seniors Michael Ononibaku (Amherst, MA/Amherst) and Maurice Banks (Clinton, MD/Gwynn Park) and junior Alex Buzbee (Chester, NJ/Seton Hall Prep) Georgetown's 2005 defense will have an aggressive attitude. All three players are poised for All-American honors and each has league player of the year possibilities.

On offense stellar offensive linemen return to the trenches trying to open up holes for Georgetown's next 1,000 yard rusher. Tailbacks Kim Sarin ((Roseville, MN/Cretin-Derham), Marcus Slayton (Cleveland, OH/Benedictine) and Emir Davis (Trenton, NJ/Hun) each have the opportunity for a breakout season and will lead the Hoyas up and down the field. Sarin was the first Hoya ever to gain over 1,000 yards in one season with 1,051 last year.

Georgetown posted a 3-8-0 overall record last season and placed seventh in the Patriot League with a 0-7 record. The team begins its 2005 season on Saturday, September 3 at league rival Bucknell. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.