At yesterday’s Patriot League media day, the Hoyas were at the forefront of the preseason awards. Senior linebacker Rob McCabe was named Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year for the Hoyas, following a junior season that saw him break the school record for tackles with 134.
In the process, McCabe was also named to the league’s first All-Preseason Team, along with senior Jeremy Moore (named twice at cornerback and return specialist) and sophomore left guard Mike Roland.
McCabe’s announcement marks the first such major preseason accolade for Georgetown since the Blue and Gray joined the Patriot League back in 2001. For him and Moore, the day marks a continuation of numerous preseason accolades. Both players have earned a reputation as elite players with a humble disposition, tending to defer their individual honors to their teammates and Head Coach Kevin Kelly.
“I think any defensive player will tell you there are no individual awards on the defensive side,” McCabe said in a statement. “It takes 11 guys, especially our front seven who do a great job, making it easy to run around and make plays.”
Roland earns the award after a stellar freshman season, where he cracked the startling offensive line at left guard and played there for seven games. He returns to his position as the youngest member of one of the most stable offensive lines in the conference.
In addition to individual awards, the Patriot League released their preseason poll, with Georgetown finishing fourth. They also came away with two first-place votes, a first for a program that turned heads with an 8-3 finish in 2011. Lehigh came away with the majority of first-place votes after winning the league title last season. The two teams finishing in second and third place – Holy Cross and Colgate – are slightly more curious. Last season, the Hoyas defeated both teams, winning by a combined 36 points.
The Hoyas face plenty of hurdles in reclaiming their spot near the top of the Patriot League, especially with Kelly and his players’ continued mantra of “Patriot League championship or bust.” On defense, they lost Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year Andrew Schaetzke. But the majority of that defense, led by McCabe and Moore, returns for the Hoyas.
On offense, the team retains a number of starters, including a welcome return for redshirt senior tailback Wilburn Logan alongside junior Nick Campanella. The offense, however, may face a few bumps in the road as they work to learn new offensive coordinator Vinny Marino’s system.
On August 6, the Hoyas will convene for training camp to pursue that elusive Patriot League title.
Photo: Georgetown Sports Information