Nov. 16, 2005

by Nick Nagel
Media Relations Assistant

In honor of 20 years of Patriot League football, the Patriot League has profiled the seven current members of the League. Bucknell, Colgate, Holy Cross, Lafayette and Lehigh have played in all 20 seasons, while Fordham has played 16 seasons, and Georgetown has participated in five campaigns in the Patriot League. This week the final installment takes a look at the Hoyas of Georgetown University.

While Georgetown's associate member status with the Patriot League is only five years old, Hoya football has a much richer tradition, beginning in 1889 with a 34-0 win over Virginia. The following year, Georgetown played Fordham in the first of 47 meetings with Rams, who are the Hoyas' oldest rival. Georgetown has appeared in two bowl games. The first came in 1941, when the Hoyas dropped a 14-7 decision to Mississippi State in the Orange Bowl. Then in 1950, they played Texas Western in the Sun Bowl, which resulted in a 33-20 defeat. Football was discontinued at Georgetown from 1951-63, only to return in 1964 as a club team. The Hoya program joined the Division III ranks in 1969.

In 1993, Georgetown decided to return to I-AA status and joined the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. The Hoyas officially joined the Patriot League for the 2001 season. The first year was rocky for the Hoyas, as they went 0-6 in League play and 3-7 overall. Their first Patriot League win came in 2002 with a 32-21 win over Bucknell. That season, GU finished 2-5 in conference play and 5-6 overall. The 2005 season marked another big change for Georgetown football as the program opened the Multi-Sport Facility, an on-campus home for football as well as several other sports.

Bob Benson is the only head coach the Hoyas have had in Patriot League play. Benson as been on the Hilltop for 13 seasons overall, and has amassed a 72-63 record to date.

A look at the record book for Georgetown will show some familiar names to Patriot League fans. Dave Paulus is third on the Hoyas' single-season passing yardage list with 2,147 yards. Kim Sarin holds the record for most rushing yards in a season with 1,051 in 2004. Luke McArdle is the Hoyas' single-season leader in yards with 1,118 in 2003.

Going into the 2005 season, Georgetown was picked to finish seventh by the League's coaches and sports information directors, receiving 15 points overall. Currently, the Hoyas are 4-6 overall and 2-3 in Patriot League play. They return to action Saturday when they host Colgate in the season finale at 12:30 p.m.

For a look at the entire Patriot League Football 20th Anniversary series, go to the Football page sidebar at www.patriotleague.com.