Football gets clipped by Hoyas, 40-16

Davidson football kicked off the season last Saturday with a road matchup at Georgetown. The Wildcats went into the contest looking to avenge a 20-10 loss to the Hoyas in last season's opener, and they were hoping a new-look offense might do the trick. Over the offseason, the Wildcats brought a few new staff members on offense, and along with them came an Air Raid offense made famous by schools like Texas Tech and Houston. Plays happen faster, and are roughly 75% pass, in an attempt to keep the defense on their heels.

The new offense looked a bit unsteady early on, going three-and-out on their first three possessions. Late in the first, Davidson QB Johnathan Carkhuff '14 led the Wildcats right back with an 11 play-71 yard drive that took only 3:47. The drive was capped by an 8-yard TD pass from Carkhuff to Reese Williams '14. On the drive, Carkhuff completed 6 of 9 passes for 47 yards. The drive was a snapshot of the type of efficiency and quickness the new offense provides.

Georgetown scored again to start the second quarter, making the score 14-7. The Air Raid returned again in full swing, with a 50-yard completion from Carkhuff to Johnathan Adams '12 giving the Wildcats another 1st and goal. However, one of six Georgetown sacks and a Wildcat penalty led to a 28-yard field goal opportunity. The Hoyas then blocked the kick, one of two red zone chances on which the Wildcats were unable to capitalize.

The Hoyas scored again on their next possession pushing the score to 21-7. The ball would change hands a few times before the half, but neither team would add to the score line.

In their first possession of the second half, the Wildcats marched 79 yards, for a 1st and goal from the 7. Carkhuff, however, could not connect on his next three pass attempts, and Davidson would settle for a 24-yard field goal from Chazzo Habliston '13. Following the field goal, the Hoyas' Jeremy Moore returned the kickoff to midfield, setting up an easy scoring drive. Georgetown's Nick Campanella busted off a few big runs and ended the drive with a 2-yard TD which made the score 27-10.

The fourth quarter was all Hoyas. They forced a handful of Davidson turnovers, which muddied the ending to a somewhat impressive offensive showing by the 'Cats. But the Georgetown defense kept regaining possession, giving the ball back to Kempf, who tacked on two more TDs in the quarter and put the game out of reach at 40-10. But again at the end of the fourth, Carkhuff led an inspiring drive of ten plays for 95 yards in just 3 minutes. Tim Hines '15 caught a pretty 44-yard pass from Carkhuff to finish the drive. Carkhuff completed 7 of 9 on the drive for 103 yards, again a model of new-found efficiency.

Despite losing by an ugly score of 40-16, the Wildcats can take plenty of positives from Saturday's loss. Carkhuff was 36-56 on pass attempts for 364 yards and 2 TDs. In doing so, Carkuff broke his personal record for passing yards in a game. Lanny Funsten '13 (8 catches, 102 yards) led a corps of 11 receivers who caught a pass during the game. The Davidson offense reached the red zone four times and scored once from outside of 20 yards.

Only a few mistakes prevented the Wildcats from playing a closer game: four turnovers and a blocked field goal, as well as not capitalizing on the red zone opportunities. And Coach Tripp Merritt said of the mistakes, "It's all things that can be cleaned up… this is the first game we've played in this offense, and we're only going to get better." This is one fan who certainly hopes Merritt and the Wildcats can get these mishaps ironed out, because if they do, we are certainly in store for some exciting football this fall.

The Wildcats look to unveil their new look for Davidson faithful on Saturday with their home opener against Lenoir-Rhyne at 7 p.m.