Bucknell: Keys To The Win

[DFW HOYA]

From the radio broadcast, three keys emerged. I'd be interested in reading from those at the game to see if there were others.

1. The Bucknell radio crew seemed genuineely surprised that Cangelosi ran the option, mentioning more than once that Bucknell did not expect Georgetown to use it. Cangelosi's ability to stablize the offense after those early turnovers was vital.

2. The defensive line really caused havoc inside for Bucknell and the fumbles were the difference in the second half.

3. The offensive line did not allow a sack. Very important to build confidence for the QB in the pocket and on the ground. (By contrast, in the last debut by a rookie QB in the season opener, Morgan Booth's had eight carries/sacks for -22 yards.)

Week 2 will be interesting--HC is less defensive oriented than Bucknell but its offense is going to take chances. Even though the defense spotted Sacred Heart two TD's in the first quarter, the offense put up seven TD's by halftime, helped by great special teams play. If the Georgetown defense can shut down the Crusader passing game, it's definitely in this game.

[LBPop]

I was there, DFW, and I'm still pumped 24 hours later! I'll bet the bus ride home was a great experience for the team.

Side note, but very important: The new AD, Bernard Muir, was at the game--he rode up and back with the team. He was genuinely thrilled as he personally congratulated everyone he could get to. Football is definitely "on his radar screen" and while I'm new to the Hoya faithful, I hear that this was not always the case. I heard at least one player come up and personally thank him for coming. The whole scene was thrilling.

Now for football stuff. You are exactly right about Cangelosi and his reputation as a runner (I should say, as a non-runner). That was the word out of New Jersey where he was a big time HS star. I guess the fact that has been overlooked is that he was also an All-State basketball player who often handled the ball. Bottom line--he has quick feet and his athleticism is underestimated because he is about 6'4", 210. When he would turn up field, he was just too strong for an arm tackle. When he gets moving, he is a load.

The defensive linemen were the real heroes. Julius Griauzde was almost immovable--I'm almost certain he blocked the last second FG attempt. Sadly, his name was butchered all night by the announcer who insisted on adding a syllable. The Hoya defense seemed to initially focus on protecting the edges and much of Bucknell's early success came inside. Don't know what the adjustment was, but that was all but stopped in the second half.

Yes, the offensive line was solid and you are right about the significance of that. That was a big question mark this summer. Several times they sprung Nick and Emir--as you know, one wonderful 21 yard explosion (for a TD) by Davis was wiped out by an accurate, but ticky-tack penalty call. Yes, it was an illegal shift, but it gave Georgetown no advantage.

One last comment (sorry to go on like this, but as I said, I'm still pumped). There were a lot of key contributions by underclassmen last night. We know about the juniors like Griauzde, Paulus, and Buzz. But there were a bunch of sophomores (and a freshman) who came up big. Cangelosi, of course, but Van Fleet who is a real specimen as a wide out, Davis who ran very well, and the night's hero, Eric "B". Beacher was in a lot as a second tight end and pancaked a couple of people. My point (it's about time) is that this season has phenomenal promise, but the future looks bright as well. I'm done now.

[jerseyhoya34]

LB, great anecdotes and observations there... Early reports about AD Muir have been very encouraging. I think there has been a series of very good decisions since Spring 2004 in all things related to GU athletics. Some good, new blood in the programs right now and a bunch of people who "get it" when it comes to college sports.

[nychoya3]

Weak side pursuit on the BU option was outstanding. The usual suspects stood out to me on the feed - Oni, Buzbee, Hassan - but it was a team effort. Everyone was very disciplined, and BU really struggled to move the ball. Turnovers were the difference, and the fluke fumble play was a huge momentnum shifter. No shame in getting a little lucky now and then.

Cangelosi was indeed impressive. He threw a few great balls, and he was impressive athletically. Looked the way you'd hope a D-IA recruit would look - bigger and faster than the defenders trying to bring him down.

All and all, a good performance. The team played with a lot of fire, and deserved the victory.

[GIGAFAN99]

dfw said:

From the radio broadcast, three keys emerged. I'd be interested in reading from those at the game to see if there were others.

1. The Bucknell radio crew seemed genuineely surprised that Cangelosi ran the option, mentioning more than once that Bucknell did not expect Georgetown to use it. Cangelosi's ability to stablize the offense after those early turnovers was vital.

2. The defensive line really caused havoc inside for Bucknell and the fumbles were the difference in the second half.

3. The offensive line did not allow a sack. Very important to build confidence for the QB in the pocket and on the ground. (By contrast, in the last debut by a rookie QB in the season opener, Morgan Booth's had eight carries/sacks for -22 yards.)

Week 2 will be interesting--HC is less defensive oriented than Bucknell but its offense is going to take chances. Even though the defense spotted Sacred Heart two TD's in the first quarter, the offense put up seven TD's by halftime, helped by great special teams play. If the Georgetown defense can shut down the Crusader passing game, it's definitely in this game.

I definitely think we can beat HC. In fact, if this game were at home I'd actually pick us. We should have beaten them last year and I think game 1 has shown that even an imperfect Hoya squad this year is better than last year's team.

[LBPop]

gigafan99 said:

I definitely think we can beat HC. In fact, if this game were at home I'd actually pick us. We should have beaten them last year and I think game 1 has shown that even an imperfect Hoya squad this year is better than last year's team.

I would agree, but now Holy Cross will be motivated by the fact that a victory over Georgetown has much more meaning this week. Regardless, the Hoyas have talent, but now they know that they can win...even after stumbling around for 35 minutes. To take a cliched line from "The Replacements", that makes them very dangerous people.

[massdad2]

My face still hurts from the grin on my face after the game...and my voice is still shot from the hootin and hollerin that was going on in, especially in the second half. As LB stated on the AGS site, the Hoya supporters were very vocal. What a great venue for a great win. My observations on the game are not very different than LB. I felt going in that one of the keys would be the O line, and I feel thay really stepped up...good protection all night, and many good holes for Emir to work with. Nick was more mobile than I realized for a guy his size...his run down the sideline to the 7 yd line was a great run. I think (hope) the early mistakes were normal first game jitters...a couple of dropped passes, and turnovers but when the game was on the line the O stepped up. Going forward, more sustained drives will be needed to keep the D fresh...I am optimistic that this will happen. The play calling and execution was more wide open than last season. Although BU did not pass too much, when they did, the DBs were in a position to make the plays...even on the two pass interference calls, the DB was in good position to make the play...again, first game timing may be the reason. The second PI was questionable because the ball appeared to be tipped just prior to the contact...we had three DBs around the ball, which is a good sign. Overall GU's defense, LBs, DE's and line, smacked em hard, which led to the turnovers. Best lesson of the game is that the team did not get down when things were going against them...coming back from the 16-0 deficit was huge. This team has started with a league victory on the road and will no dought add to their confidence factor.

[massdad2]

One other observation which may have relevence to next week. In the BU game, as was case last year, we gave up some big yardage, and a key first down, on a screen pass. We also almost got burned on a trick play in OT...half back pass to the QB, who was wide open, but fortunately got brought down on a good open field tackle, but after he picked up about 15 yards. What's this got to to with HC you ask? I quickly read a review of the Crusaders win over Sacred Heart, and if I read it correctly it appears that their RB threw two TD passes...to the QB! Why HC would resort to trick plays in a non league, blow out game is beyond me. You'd think they'd reserve those plays for a key moment in a league game...catch one of their PL oppenents by surprize. Won't be surprize now, and something I'm sure was noticed by our coaches and will be discussed in preparation for next Saturday's game.

[massdad2]

goholycross.collegesports.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/090305aaa.html

Here's the link...Silva the RB not only threw for 2 TDs, he caught a pass for one as well.

[LBPop]

massdad2 said:

Silva the RB not only threw for 2 TDs, he caught a pass for one as well.

Whoa! MassDad2 with a scouting report. Great Job! By the way, do you know if Georgetown has any RBs who can throw the ball?

[lichoya68]

very proud of our hoyas and especially one class act coach benson go hoyas ;D

[hoya4ever]

I don't know if the running backs can throw but all of our quarterbacks have practiced catching the ball and running. (I love my window location)