WASHINGTON – The Georgetown University football team picked up a 49-7 victory at home over Marist in the 2023 season opener on Saturday afternoon on Cooper Field.
"It was a great way to start the 2023 season," said Head Coach
Rob Sgarlata. "I thought that our student-athletes played incredibly strong for all four quarters. It was definitely not a perfect game and there are things we need to work on. I was really impressed with our run game which all starts up front with the offensive line.
Joshua Stakely and
Naieem Kearney did a great job running the ball and
Tyler Knoop did a great job throwing the ball in his first start this season. I was really impressed with Tyler's poise, especially in the first half. On the defensive end, we settled in after the first and started to show what we can be. It was great to see a number of our new players come out and compete.
Nicholas Dunneman came out and was very impressive on offense as well as on the return game. I'm looking forward to building on this performance."
HOYA HIGHLIGHTS
- The Hoyas dominated Marist in the running game, averaging 6.1 yards per rush for a total of 294 yards and four touchdowns.
- Knoop threw 12-16 for 107 yards and two touchdowns. The quarterback also ran in for the Hoyas fifth touchdown of the afternoon.
- Stakely rushed for 121 yards and one touchdown while Kearney ran for 78 yards and two touchdowns.
- Georgetown's defense registered two interceptions, a forced fumble, two broken up passes and a touchdown.
- Isaiah Grimes scored his first collegiate touchdown while Zeraun Daniel tallied his first interception on the Hilltop.
- Georgetown has won six of its last seven season openers and moved to 19-5 over the Red Foxes.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Hoyas got on the board early with a 42-yard rushing touchdown from Stakely to lead the game 7-0.
- Marist responded with its own touchdown to tie the contest 7-7.
- GU regained the lead (14-7) at the end of the first with a two-yard rush up the middle from Kearney.
- The Hoyas scored the lone touchdown in the second. Knoop found Grimes on the right side to put the Hoyas up 21-7 heading into halftime.
- In the third, the Hoyas continued to extend their lead with two touchdowns. Cam Pygatt scored off a 10-yard pass from Knoop before Knoop rushed for a touchdown of his own. At the end of the quarter the Hoyas led the Red Foxes 35-7.
- In the opening drive of the fourth quarter, Kearney rushed two yards for GU's sixth touchdown. To cap off the scoring, Sherman Steptoe II ran back a touchdown after intercepting the ball at the 50-yard line to down Marist 49-7.
NEXT GAME
- The Hoyas continue their three game homestand as they welcome Sacred Heart to the Hilltop on Saturday, September 9 with kickoff slated for 12:30 p.m.
