2010 Patriot League Preseason Report Card

*Fordham not eligible for title or final season standings.

Last season:

1. Holy Cross      5-1          9-3

2. Colgate            4-2          9-2

3. Lafayette        4-2          8-3

4. Lehigh              4-2          4-7

5. Fordham         2-4          5-6         

6. Bucknell          2-4          4-7

7. Georgetown0-6          0-11

Preseason:

1. Colgate(6)          46 pts
2. Lafayette (2)      36
3. Lehigh (3)            35
4. Holy Cross (1)    34
5. Bucknell               17
6. GTown                 12

Off POY: Greg Sullivan, Colgate

Def POY: Mude Ohimor, Holy Cross

1. Georgetown (0-6, 0-11 last season)

Starters Returning/Lost:                  Offense – 7/4 ; Defense – 8/3

                Returning All-League selections: none

Passing game:  F

 The Hoyas return starting junior QB Scott Darby, but he doesn't throw enough to make a huge difference.  Sophomore Isaiah Kempf also returns, but it's anyone's guess as to which ends up playing the majority of the games, and whether it even matters.  The top two wideout options are gone (as are their ¾ of total touchdown production), with only all-around threat senior Keerome Lawrence returning (he handled rushing duties while doubling as the slot receiver in '08).  As usual, don't expect much from the passing offense.

Rushing game: D

Or the rushing offense.  GTown runs a bit more than it passes, but neither often nor effectively enough to worry opponents.  Both backs return, with senior Charlie Houghton the most versatile (939 all-purpose yards).  There's not much to say here, anyone can see for themselves on the field.

In the Trenches: C+

This may be the only league-average part of Georgetown's team.  Three linemen return, although the anchor, center Dan Matherly, is gone.  Still, the line should get a little room open for Darby and the backs to work in – not that they'll do anything with it.

Defense: D+

The defense should be improved over last year's, not that that's saying much.  The offense could bank on having to score at least four touchdowns to win any game, a clearly insurmountable total.  The Hoyas ranked last in nearly every category last season – total defense, rushing defense, pass defense efficiency and sacks.  Only a pair of second-level performers left, so there shouldn't be much of a falloff, but is that really a positive here?  To top it off, neither specialist returns.  Field position won't be something the Hoyas rank above the basement in either.  Opposing offenses will at least have to keep an eye on junior defensive end Andrew Schaetzke (9.5 TFL, five sacks)

Final Grade: D+

Even if this team were more competitive, it wouldn't make much difference.  The offense averaged under 10 points per game last season while giving up nearly 30.  Kevin Kelly ought to be worried about his job, having taken the Hoyas from bad to worse in his four years – a second consecutive no-win season would surely seal his fate.  Georgetown may give Bucknell a tough game, but any team seriously pushed here would have to be severely disappointed with its play.

6.    Bucknell (2-4, 4-7)

                Starters Returning/Lost:  Offense – 7/4 ; Defense – 6/5

                Returning All-League selections: Junior defensive lineman Robert De La Rosa (Second Team) and Senior defensive back Ahkiel White (Second Team).

                Passing game: D

                 Junior QB C J Hopson returns – actually, you can't really call him a QB – he passes only 94 times last season, throwing five picks to zero TDs.  His value lies in a wildcat type of package, as he was one of only three Patriot Leaguers to rush for over 70 yards per game, scoring five times.  Whatever versatility he brings will be welcomed nonetheless, as all-around stud A J Kizekai is finally gone from Patriot League opponents' nightmares.  Suffice to say, there isn't much passing in this offense.