WASHINGTON – The Georgetown University football team travels down to North Carolina for the 2019 season opener against Davidson on Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Richardson Stadium. Links for live stats and a subscription-based video stream are available at GUHoyas.com.
SCOUTING GEORGETOWN
• The Hoyas are coming off one of the biggest turnaround seasons in the country last year, finishing 5-6 overall after going 1-10 in 2017
• Georgetown went 4-2 in Patriot League play, its best conference record since joining the league in 2001.
• The Hoyas led the Patriot League with 34 sacks and 20 interceptions, and ranked second in scoring defense (21.1 ppg), total defense (298.0 ypg) and rushing defense (103.2 ypg)
• Nationally, the Blue & Gray was among the top 20 in interceptions (2nd), pass efficiency defense (2nd), turnovers gained (6th), rushing defense (10th), total defense (12th), sacks (10th) and scoring defense (18th)
• In its first season under Offensive Coordinator
Rob Spence, the GU offense improved in almost every statistical category including points per game, touchdowns, total yards per game and total rushing yards
WHAT IS RETURNING
• The Hoyas return 15 starters from the 2018 season, including seven on offense and eight on defense
• Quarterback
Gunther Johnson returns after starting all 11 games last season (152-296, 1,696 yards, 9 TD, 6 INT, 4 rushing TD)
• The Hoyas bring back their top three rushers from 2018 (Herman Moultrie,
Jackson Saffold,
Jay Tolliver)
• Georgetown returns three of its top five receivers in terms of receiving yards (
Michael Dereus,
Joshua Tomas,
Max Edwards)
•
Brad Hurst is the primary punter after back-to-back seasons average 40+ yards per punt
• The defense returns four of its top five tacklers (
Wes Bowers,
Xavier Reddick,
Khristian Tate,
Owen Kessler)
ABOUT THE MATCHUP
• Georgetown and Davidson are meeting for the 13th time, with the Hoyas holding a 9-3 advantage in the series having won the past five meetings
• The two teams last met in the 2016 season opener at Georgetown, a 38-14 victory for the Hoyas
• The last time Georgetown visited Davidson was a 35-14 Hoya win in the 2012 season opener
WHAT'S AT STAKE
• The Hoyas are 8-11 in season openers since 2001 and have won three-straight openers, including a 38-14 win over Davidson in 2016 at Georgetown
• GU is 5-2 against members of the Pioneer Football League over the past five seasons
COMING UP NEXT
• The Hoyas will host Marist in the home opener at Cooper Field on Saturday, September 7. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. and links to follow the action will be available at GUHoyas.com.
