Defense dominates in shutout of #7 Lindsey Wilson

In a game that featured 2 of the top 7 scoring offenses in the country, defense proved superior on a misty, grey day at Toyota Stadium. Georgetown's defense showed itself one better with a shutout of 7th-ranked Lindsey Wilson, 10-0. It marks the first time since September 2018 that the Blue Raiders failed to put points on the board. The win leaves Georgetown as the last unbeaten team inside the Mid-South Conference with 2 games left in the regular season and gives the Tigers its first win over Lindsey Wilson since 2013.

While defense ruled the day, Georgetown's offense looked like it would have a big day on the opening drive. Gehrig Slunaker connected on his 1st 6 passes and combined with 20 yards on the ground from Darius Neal, the Tigers drove inside the Lindsey Wilson 10. Ultimately, Drew Rader pushed a 23-yard field goal attempt wide right, leaving the Tigers emptyhanded after a 13-play, 77-yard drive. Lindsey Wilson responded with a 12-yard run on its 1st offensive play, but would have to punt 4 plays later.

On Georgetown's 2nd drive, Slunaker hit Darius Neal in the flat for a gain of 17 to move to the Tiger 46. Slunaker would be sacked on the next play, leading to a Georgetown punt. Lindsey showed signs of life on offense on its next possession. With mixes of run and pass, the Blue Raiders reached the Georgetown 43. On 3rd down, Davon Starks broke up what would have been a 1st down completion. LWC chose to play conservative with the game still in the 1st quarter, electing to punt, which resulted in a touchback.

Isaiah Cobb got the Tiger ground game going with 27 yards on the 1st 4 carries of a drive that carried into the 2nd quarter. Cobb's efforts led Georgetown to the Lindsey Wilson 41. On 2nd & 9, Gehrig Slunaker made an adjustment on the line and it proved genius. The Tigers got Dillon Warren on an island on the left side and Slunaker let Warren go up and win a 50-50 ball, resulting in a 41-yard TD pass and providing the 1st points of the game with just under 12 minutes left in the 2nd quarter. The Tigers went 80 yards in just 9 plays for the score.

As most good teams do, Lindsey Wilson put together a drive immediately in response to Georgetown's score. QB Ethan Cash showed talent with his arm and legs in providing most of the offense on the drive that moved into the red zone for the first time, after 2 4th down conversions to keep the drive alive. On 3rd & 5 from the 17, Cash took a shot to the end zone, but he was picked off by John Carter Myers, who returned the ball all the way to the GC 49. The pick wiped out a 16-play drive that took over 10 minutes off the clock and kept the Tigers in front, 7-0, at halftime. It would prove to be the only time in the game that Lindsey Wilson entered the Tigers red zone.

After a Blue Raider 3-&-out to start the 3rd quarter, Georgetown again moved the ball on its first drive of a half. On the 2nd play, Slunaker found JC Shegog down the right sideline for a gain of 35 to the Lindsey Wilson 44. Darius Neal put consecutive runs of 7 & 5 together to inch the Tigers closer. From the 32, Slunaker hit a crossing Jeremy Adams for a 19-yard gain to the Lindsey Wilson 13. Georgetown would be stalled from there, but Drew Rader nailed a 29-yard field goal to give the Tigers a 10-0 lead midway through the 3rd.

Lindsey Wilson would not threaten for points again until the final drive. That was thwarted as Ethan Cash went for the endzone from the GC 25, but Kyren Simpson stepped in front to intercept the pass and seal a defensive masterpiece for Georgetown.

The Tigers held the Blue Raiders to just 218 yards of total offense. Entering today, Lindsey Wilson averaged nearly 400 yards per game. LWC's leading rusher, JBias Dawson, came in with 815 yards and 12 touchdowns. Today, he ended with just 24 yards on 8 carries.

The Georgetown running back tandem of Darius Neal and Isaiah Cobb combined for 165 all-purpose yards as they wore out the Lindsey Wilson front throughout the game. Gehrig Slunaker finished a solid day going 15-27 for 205 yards and a TD.

Payton Standifer led the defense with 11 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble. His unit limited Lindsey Wilson to 2-12 on 3rd down.

After knocking off its 2nd top-10 team of the year (#6 Bethel), Georgetown will look to remain unbeaten in the Mid-South Conference as it travels to Cumberlands next week. Kickoff is set for 1:30pm in Williamsburg, KY.