Capping off a three-game road stretch, the football team won its first Patriot League game of the season on Saturday against Georgetown University 42-37.
The Leopards (1-0 Patriot League, 2-1 overall) accumulated 579 yards of total offense, 255 of which came on junior running back Kente Edward’s 19 carries. The breakout rusher added four touchdowns to win his second consecutive Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week nod.
“We might have a young team, and while we still have to get better at some of our execution, the energy, enthusiasm, the discipline, the details, all the things that we preach were there,” head coach John Troxell said. “I’m proud of what our kids are doing.”
The away team had the Hoyas (0-1 Patriot League, 2-1 overall) at third-and-long in their own territory to start the game, but an offsides penalty kept them alive. The hosts drove down the field and capped the possession off with a 19-yard touchdown pass to put the Leopards on the back foot early.
Looking to return the favor, the Maroon and White responded just two plays later, as Edwards cut through the defense for a 70-yard touchdown to tie up the game.
The Hoyas threatened to score again, but a sack from junior defensive lineman Jaylon Joseph stunted the drive. The defense managed to force a 45-yard field goal that was no good.
Air raid was the name of the game to start the second quarter as senior quarterback Dean DeNobile passed for 63 yards on the next drive that resulted in junior wide receiver Carson Persing pulling in a touchdown to take the lead.
“I just think that the offense is well balanced, and we’re gelling together a little bit,” senior wide receiver Elijah Steward said. “We’re finding out our identity. One week we could rush for 300 yards, and another week we incorporate a little bit more of the pass.”
Steward strided 48 yards down the field four plays into the Leopards’ next possession to widen the gap.
“I just make sure that I’m ready for the ball,” Steward said. “Just making sure to bring a different intensity, a different energy.”
The Maroon and White were knocking on the Hoyas’ door to blow the game wide open before all of the momentum came to a halt. DeNobile was strip-sacked by a defender who flew off the edge, and the Hoyas recovered the ball mid-air en route to a 90-yard defensive score to cut into the lead.
A Leopard punt set Georgetown up to march down the field, knotting the game up at 21 with 41 seconds remaining before the break. DeNobile looked to add last-second points but was picked off on a long ball to close out the half.
Even after surrendering their initial lead, the Maroon and White were not frightened.
“We understand what it means really to fight through adversity and be together,” junior defensive back Avery Jones said, who switched from wide receiver this offseason. “That just shows the trust and the bond we have as a team.”
DeNobile was sacked on third down to open the third quarter and coughed up the ball for the second time of the day. Although the Hoyas started in Leopard territory, the defense held up to limit the damage to a field goal.
The quarterback responded by slinging the rock to Steward, who broke free for 38 yards. Edwards bolted from 28 yards out to regain a 28-24 lead for the Leopards, though the hosts shot right back with a nine-play stint to reverse the advantage.
Kicking off the fourth quarter, the visitors converted two third downs to get to the one-yard line in 12 plays. Edwards punched the ball in on fourth down to give the Leopards a lead that they would not surrender for the remainder of the game.
“During halftime, we just all came together as a defense,” said Jones, who had a career-high nine tackles on Saturday. “No coaches. We just said, we’ll have to buckle down and get it together.”
Edwards put the exclamation point on the next offensive bid, capping off his day with a 53-yard scamper for insurance. Georgetown added a desperation score with 43 seconds left, but the Maroon and White swiftly handled the ensuing onside kick to seal the victory.
The Leopards will compete in their home opener on Friday, hosting Columbia University (0-0 overall) at Fisher Stadium.
“It’s great playing in front of the community,” Steward said. “ It’s going to be great to be in front of them, but it’s just another week, and I know the guys know that too.”