Sept. 3, 2005
Box Score
LEWISBURG, Pa. - A 33-yard field goal by sophomore Eric Bjonerud (Potomac, MD) in overtime capped off a comeback from 16 down, as the Georgetown University football team knocked off Bucknell tonight , 19-16 in front of 6,804 fans at Christy Matthewson Memorial Field. The Hoyas, who win their Patriot League opener for the first time, trailed 16-0 just over three minutes into the third quarter, but responded with 19 unanswered points to improve to 1-0.
The Hoya defense spearheaded the comeback, forcing four fumbles in the second half and overtime, creating a turnover on downs deep in Hoya territory and blocking a field goal with seven seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime.
Bucknell would control play early, taking a 13-0 lead into the half on a 1-yard touchdown rush by Blamah Sarnor and two field goals by Ryan Korn. However, the Hoyas felt good that they were only down 13 points having turned the ball over three times and missed a field goal in the first 30 minutes. The Bison would cap off their scoring early in the second half on a 25-yard field goal by Korn, after another Hoya turnover.
Momentum changed on Georgetown's next possession as junior quarterback Nick Cangelosi (Camden, NJ), making his first collegiate start, completed a pass to sophomore Kyle Van Fleet (Williamsport, PA) for about 22 yards. As he turned to move up the right sideline, the ball was knocked from his grip, however freshman Kenny Mitchell (Atlanta, GA) was there to scoop the ball up and go the final 48 yards for his first career touchdown, cutting the deficit to 16-6 as they missed the two-point conversion.
After a forced fumble by senior Mehdi Hassan (Fort Lauderdale, FL) on the Bison's next possession, Cangelosi would hit Van Fleet with 41-yard touchdown pass on the first play after the turnover to put the Hoyas within three with less than 10 minutes remaining in the third quarter.
The Hoya defense would again cause trouble to the Bucknell running game, forcing the third fumble in the game with 10:19 remaining in the fourth. A nine-play, 61-yard drive would ensue resulting in the 26-yard game-tying field goal by Bjonerud with just under six minutes left.
The Bison would have a shot to win in regulation, but a 42-yard field attempt by Korn was blocked by the Hoya line with seven seconds remaining to force overtime.
In overtime, Bucknell took the ball first at the 25 yard line following NCAA overtime rules. On their second play, John DeStefano would cough it up for what would be their fourth fumble of the game. Georgetown would not let the Bison get another shot as Bjonerud knocked through the game-winner from 33 yards out.
Cangelosi led the Hoya offense, throwing 9-for-20 for 168 yards and two touchdowns, while also leading the team in rushing with 91 yards on 16 attempts. Van Fleet, making his first start at wide receiver after spending last season at linebacker, caught a team-high four ball for 74 yards. Sophomore Emir Davis (Trenton, NJ) gained 77 yards on 21 carries in the backfield.
Junior Julius Griauzde (Riverside, IL) led the defense with a career-high 12 tackles (7 solo, 5 assisted), while Hassan also recorded double-digits with 11 (4S, 7A). Junior Alex Buzbee (Chester, NJ) had a solid day upfront with eight tackles (7S, 1A), two forced fumbles and one tackle for a loss. Preseason All-American Michael Ononibaku (Amherst, MA) registered seven tackles (5S, 2A), two tackles for a loss and two fumble recoveries.
Georgetown returns to Patriot League action next Saturday, September 10, as they travel to Holy Cross. The Hoyas and Crusaders are scheduled to kick-off at 1 p.m.
