Oct. 13, 2006
Washington, D.C. - The Georgetown University football team will take to the Multi-Sport Field on Saturday, October 14 aiming to end a four-game losing steak when the Hoyas host Bucknell is a key Patriot League matchup for both teams. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m.
The game will be broadcast live through HoyaVision on the Georgetown Athletics website - www.guhoyas.com - with Chuck Timanus calling all of the action. The Hoyas, 1-5 overall and 0-3 in conference action, will be playing their second-to-last home game of the season on Saturday against the Bison, 3-3 overall and 0-1 in the Patriot League.
The meeting on Saturday will be the 19th between the teams, with Bucknell holding a 9-8-1 advantage in the head-to-head series. There will be revenge on the minds of the Bison, as the Hoyas posted a come-from-behind 19-16 win on the road in last year's season opener. Junior quarterback Nick Cangelosi (Camden, N.J./Camden Catholic) threw two fourth quarter touchdown passes in that game to lead the Hoyas to the win.
The Bison rallied late in last week's game to post 24 points against an outstanding Penn defense before falling, 34-24. Bucknell and Holy Cross are tied for the league lead in scoring average. The Bison lead the league and rank fourth nationally in rushing at 238.5 yards per game, and they are fifth in the league in total offense at 304.7yards per game.
Georgetown enters the game with four-straight losses, two to conference opponents (Colgate and Lehigh) and two to non-conference opponents (Ivy League foes Brown and Columbia). Under the direction of first year head coach Kevin Kelly, the Hoyas have battled with their opponents through the first two or three quarters of games before falling late. Last week against Lehigh, one of the Patriot League's perennial favorites, the Hoyas trailed only 14-3 after three quarters, but two fourth quarter turnovers turned the tide.
Junior quarterback Matt Bassuener (Port Edwards, Wis./Edwards) has started the last three games for the Hoyas. He has completed 68.6 percent of his passes this season (59-of-86) for 540 yards and six touchdowns. His favorite target has been junior slot Brent Craft (Jupiter, Fla./The Benjamin School), who ranks among the Patriot League leaders with 26 catches for 244 yards. The Hoyas are averaging 175.7 yards per game passing and 98.7 yards per game rushing.
On the defensive side, the Hoyas are led by senior end Alex Buzbee (Chester, N.J./Seton Hall Prep), who was named to the Patriot League honor roll after recording a career-high 12 tackles, including two for losses and one sack, in a 28-3 loss to Lehigh. Senior linebacker Chris Paulus (Manlius, N.Y./Christian Brothers) leads the team with 50 tackles and ranks third in the Patriot League in that category.
A moment of silence will be held before the game to honor Commander Kevin Reynolds (C'84), a former Hoya defensive back who passed away in September. Following his graduation from Georgetown, Reynolds attended Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia before accepting a commission into the United States Marine Corps. Reynolds attended the Navy Flight School, was awarded Navy Wings and a commission in the United States Navy. He graduated from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and the National Defense University before retiring as a Navy Commander with 20 years of service.
