EASTON, Pa. – The Lafayette football team dropped a defensive battle on Saturday at Fisher Stadium, falling to Georgetown 13-6 in the Leopards' second Patriot League game.
 
The Leopards were led by junior wide receiver Nick Pearson who racked up a career-high 140 receiving yards on another career-best 10 receptions. Sophomore running back Selwyn Simpson had a productive day, averaging 4.1 yards per carry on 11 touches for 45 yards while making three receptions for 29.
 
Defensively, freshman lineman Malik Hamm made a career-high nine tackles, including seven solo, registered a sack and forced a fumble. Senior defensive back Yasir Thomas made five stops to go along with a key pass breakup on a third down.
 
After a scoreless opening frame, the Hoyas (3-4, 2-0) opened things up after taking over with prime field position following an interception. Georgetown put together a seven-play, 34-yard drive that was capped off by six-yard read-option by Georgetown Gunther Johnson. The Hoyas did not convert the two-point try.
 
After a Leopard punt to the 50-yard line, Georgetown again had solid field position. The Hoyas used 10 plays to cover half of the field, finding the end zone once more on a one-yard quarterback run to take a 13-0 lead with 3:53 left before intermission. Johnson finished the 11-of-21 for 73 yards and had 10 net rushing yards.  
 
The Leopards used the remaining time to get on the scoreboard, converting a pair of third-down opportunities. Sophomore quarterback Sean O'Malley hit classmate Quinn Revere over the middle for a nine-yard pick up to give the Leopards a first down at the Georgetown 25-yard line.
 
The drive stalled after the Leopards were whistled for an offensive pass interference call that backed them outside of the red zone. The Maroon and White settled for 40-yard field goal by a Jeffrey Kordenbrock as Lafayette entered halftime trailing 13-3.
 
The defenses shined in the third quarter as both offenses were only able to earn a combined two first downs in the period. That trend continued into the fourth quarter. The Leopard D was especially effective after a fumble gave the Hoyas the ball at the Lafayette 25-yard line. A holding penalty and a Hamm sack forced Georgetown to punt with its 13-3 lead intact.  
 
With less than a minute left in the game, Lafayette worked its way into the Hoya territory where Kordenbrock knocked through another 40-yarder to cut the deficit to 13-6.
 
The ensuing onsides kick attempt was recovered by Georgetown to seal the game.
 
O'Malley finished the day 25-of-49 for 250 yards with three interceptions. His 49 passing attempts were the most of his career, completing passes to seven receivers.
 
Lafayette (1-5, 0-2) returns to action at Bucknell on Oct. 20.