The 2011 Liberty League co-champion Hobart Statesmen (7-2) gave #3 Wesley (12-2, losers by a touchdown to national runners up # 2 Mount Union, 14-1) one of their closest games of the NCAA playoffs, but was left out of the final Top 25 poll by the "panel of 25 coaches, Sports Information Directors and media members from across the country."
Saint John Fisher (10-3), who benefited from a better seeding from the NCAA Playoff Committee (in spite of a 36 point loss to Hobart back in September) finished the year with a #11 ranking. That said the final placement of Johns Hopkins (#18, 10-1), Delaware Valley (#13, 11-1) and Baldwin-Wallace (#24, 8-2) really calls this group of pollsters into question.
Although Hobart didn't do itself any favors with voters given their eight game schedule and the one point RPI loss; the Statesmen acquitted themselves very well taking the Wolverines to the brink with several key offensive players out of the line up. Hobart proved with out a doubt they not only belonged in the tournament, but had they had Fisher or another team's (better) draw, they would have likely advanced a couple of rounds given how well they played against Wesley.
Still, the voters apparently took the view that Hobart was a two-loss team that exited the playoffs in the first round (even though they challenged the #3 team in the country as well, if not better than other higher ranked teams). That said all the evidence shows they overlooked the fact that the Statesmen were clearly a Top 25 team.
Hopefully the returning Hobart players will take this oversight by the D3football.com community as added fuel to push for another LL title and a better / longer playoff run in 2012.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Comin' Atcha hits 10,000!!!
Thanks to all the readers out there who helped get this blog to 10,000 views since going live back in August of 2009. I appreciate the visits and interest in Division III and specifically Hobart football from all the fans, alumni and others out there!
See you in 2012 when I am sure to have a few updates on incoming recruits.
Happy holidays!
JB
See you in 2012 when I am sure to have a few updates on incoming recruits.
Happy holidays!
JB
Monday, December 5, 2011
Hobart lands four players on the D3football.com All-East Region Team
Hobart SR CB Drake Woodard was named to the D3football.com All-East Region first team today.
Statesmen SR OL Brendan Hatlee, SO OLB Devin Worthington and FY DE Tyre Coleman each received second team recognition as well.
A copy of the press release is below:
http://static.psbin.com/f/3/f3e93d39hkcp7q/d3football-all-east-region-2011.pdf
While the Woodard selection isn't a surprise, Coleman's not making the first team can be thought of as an "upset" given his stats (e.g., second in DIII in sacks). Still it's extremely rare for a freshman to break through to a first team award, which tend to go to upperclassmen.
Still, it's quite an accomplishment for all the Hobart players selected. Congratulations to Drake, Brendan, Devin and Tyre!
Statesmen SR OL Brendan Hatlee, SO OLB Devin Worthington and FY DE Tyre Coleman each received second team recognition as well.
A copy of the press release is below:
http://static.psbin.com/f/3/f3e93d39hkcp7q/d3football-all-east-region-2011.pdf
While the Woodard selection isn't a surprise, Coleman's not making the first team can be thought of as an "upset" given his stats (e.g., second in DIII in sacks). Still it's extremely rare for a freshman to break through to a first team award, which tend to go to upperclassmen.
Still, it's quite an accomplishment for all the Hobart players selected. Congratulations to Drake, Brendan, Devin and Tyre!
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
What Could Have Been (with a side of sour grapes)
Although the Statesmen's season wrapped up a couple of weeks ago, I have been keeping an eye on the DIII football playoffs and marvelling at the advancement of the Saint John Fisher Cardinals (10-2). The Cardinals, who potentially were the "last team into the tournament" as an 8-2 at-large selection and Empire 8 conference runner up, have defeated two conference champions in successive weeks (Johns Hopkins and Delaware Valley) after receiving a ranking / seed that was supposedly "lower" than Hobart's (given the Statesmen's convicing head-to-head victory over SJF on 9/24).
Perhaps this is just a case of a team peaking at the right time but it does make me wonder "what if" the Statesmen ended up in Fisher's bracket vs. being placed (as some would argue as the seventh seed) in a more difficult (containing several top 10 teams) and geographically far-fetched bracket with #7 ranked Wesley (who by the way, rallied down 27-7 in the first half to win 49-34 over Northwest Conference champion Linfield last Saturday in Dover)?
Fisher fans will argue the 36 point loss to Hobart back in September was an aberration and as it stands now, the Cardinals clearly have benefited and have taken advantage of their placement in the tournament (playing two conference champs with really no serious out of conference games) and will likely end the season with a better ranking than the Statesmen (who I am guessing will be "rewarded" with a 20-25 ranking by D3football.com due to playing Wesley close in Round 1) once the season ends in a couple of weeks.
Given the new playoff format, it remains to be seen whether or not Hobart will encounter more odd / bad seedings in the future. That said it seems clear that for now, the Statesmen and the LL won't be getting any preferential treatment anytime soon. At least Hobart is bolstered by a 10 game schedule in 2012 and the addition of new LL member Springfield. It's a long way until September so I can't help but wonder how 2011 could have been different had a few plays / decisions went in a slightly different direction......?
Perhaps this is just a case of a team peaking at the right time but it does make me wonder "what if" the Statesmen ended up in Fisher's bracket vs. being placed (as some would argue as the seventh seed) in a more difficult (containing several top 10 teams) and geographically far-fetched bracket with #7 ranked Wesley (who by the way, rallied down 27-7 in the first half to win 49-34 over Northwest Conference champion Linfield last Saturday in Dover)?
Fisher fans will argue the 36 point loss to Hobart back in September was an aberration and as it stands now, the Cardinals clearly have benefited and have taken advantage of their placement in the tournament (playing two conference champs with really no serious out of conference games) and will likely end the season with a better ranking than the Statesmen (who I am guessing will be "rewarded" with a 20-25 ranking by D3football.com due to playing Wesley close in Round 1) once the season ends in a couple of weeks.
Given the new playoff format, it remains to be seen whether or not Hobart will encounter more odd / bad seedings in the future. That said it seems clear that for now, the Statesmen and the LL won't be getting any preferential treatment anytime soon. At least Hobart is bolstered by a 10 game schedule in 2012 and the addition of new LL member Springfield. It's a long way until September so I can't help but wonder how 2011 could have been different had a few plays / decisions went in a slightly different direction......?
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
2011 Season Retrospective
The 2011 Hobart Statesmen football team came into this fall with a lot of offseason baggage but went quietly about their work in getting back on top of the Liberty League and returning to the NCAA playoffs for the first time since 2008.
2011 really seemed like a “tale of two seasons” in that the Statesmen completely blew away their competition by an average score of 39-13 in their first five games. Then, in the snow and cold of the WPI game, Hobart’s offense seemed to lose its spark, getting shut out in the second half and scoring no more than 28 points in their last two regular season games. Even the Statesmen’s previously lock-down defense gave up a season high 29 points in their only losing effort to RPI on Senior Day. Although the Statesmen would recover to capture a share of the LL title and the automatic qualifying bid to the NCAA’s (due to a 41-24 win over Union on 10/8) the following week against Rochester, Hobart would lose their star QB Nick Strang to a concussion, their top WR Garth Muratori to a PCL injury and their punter and third WR Yosh Karbonwiczak to an ankle sprain all in the same game. SR LB Reggie Robinson also suffered a concussion, but obviously a milder one, as he was able to play in the playoffs.
Still this Hobart team, and particularily the defense, came back with a chip on their shoulder, ultimately proving they were one of the top teams in the country by taking #7 Wesley College to the brink, before falling 35-28 on the road in the first round of the playoffs. While the Wolverines exploited the Statesmen's one true achilles heel (i.e., struggle to defend the deep ball when a team has more than one receiving threat), Hobart forced multiple turnovers and saw back up JR QB Kelly Olney rise to the occasion passing for over 200 yards against one of the best defenses in Division III.
Although 7-2 is somewhat a disappointing finish given the talent level of this team, it does signify a return to form for a Statesmen program that went to the playoffs six times in eight seasons during the last decade. Hobart graduates several key contributors including SR DB Drake Woodard, Robinson, Muratori and five SR OL including Anthony Coletta, Kelvin Cruz, Jarrid Blades, Kyle Sandy and Brendan Hatlee but several underclassmen saw playing time on both sides of the ball.
One nice change in 2012 is the return of a 10 game regular season schedule. Springfield College joins the LL as an associate member and new OOC games with Utica and Geneva College have been added to Hobart's slate.
Thanks to all who've followed the blog this season (up to 9,755 views and counting since Sept 2009). As always I will be on the look out for new recruits over the offseason and other Statesmen-related news.
Happy Thanksgiving!
2011 really seemed like a “tale of two seasons” in that the Statesmen completely blew away their competition by an average score of 39-13 in their first five games. Then, in the snow and cold of the WPI game, Hobart’s offense seemed to lose its spark, getting shut out in the second half and scoring no more than 28 points in their last two regular season games. Even the Statesmen’s previously lock-down defense gave up a season high 29 points in their only losing effort to RPI on Senior Day. Although the Statesmen would recover to capture a share of the LL title and the automatic qualifying bid to the NCAA’s (due to a 41-24 win over Union on 10/8) the following week against Rochester, Hobart would lose their star QB Nick Strang to a concussion, their top WR Garth Muratori to a PCL injury and their punter and third WR Yosh Karbonwiczak to an ankle sprain all in the same game. SR LB Reggie Robinson also suffered a concussion, but obviously a milder one, as he was able to play in the playoffs.
Still this Hobart team, and particularily the defense, came back with a chip on their shoulder, ultimately proving they were one of the top teams in the country by taking #7 Wesley College to the brink, before falling 35-28 on the road in the first round of the playoffs. While the Wolverines exploited the Statesmen's one true achilles heel (i.e., struggle to defend the deep ball when a team has more than one receiving threat), Hobart forced multiple turnovers and saw back up JR QB Kelly Olney rise to the occasion passing for over 200 yards against one of the best defenses in Division III.
Although 7-2 is somewhat a disappointing finish given the talent level of this team, it does signify a return to form for a Statesmen program that went to the playoffs six times in eight seasons during the last decade. Hobart graduates several key contributors including SR DB Drake Woodard, Robinson, Muratori and five SR OL including Anthony Coletta, Kelvin Cruz, Jarrid Blades, Kyle Sandy and Brendan Hatlee but several underclassmen saw playing time on both sides of the ball.
One nice change in 2012 is the return of a 10 game regular season schedule. Springfield College joins the LL as an associate member and new OOC games with Utica and Geneva College have been added to Hobart's slate.
Thanks to all who've followed the blog this season (up to 9,755 views and counting since Sept 2009). As always I will be on the look out for new recruits over the offseason and other Statesmen-related news.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Undermanned but undeterred, Hobart pushes #7 Wesley to the brink before falling 35-28
The Hobart Statesmen traveled to Dover, Delaware Saturday to take on #7 ranked Wesley College Wolverines in the first round of the NCAA Division III football tournament. Hobart would be short-handed as their starting JR QB Nick Strang was out with a concussion, and SR WR and co-captain Garth Muratori would leave the game with an injury early in the second quarter.
Both team's offenses got off to a slow start, turning the ball over on their initial possessions. After he Hobart offense stalled on it's second drive, Wesley's SR QBk Shane McSweeny drove the Wolverines to the Statesmen eight yard line before finding Jared Morris open for an eight yard touchdown. The Tryon point after was good and Wesley staked itself to an early 7-0 lead.
McSweeny would strike again on the ensuing possession finding FY phenom Steven Koudossou on a 72 yard catch and watched his receiver out run the Statesmen secondary for the Wolverines' second score of the day. The Tryon point after was good and Hobart found themselves down 14-0 with 4:03 to play in the first.
The Statesmen defense would try and turn the tide and tone of the game in the second quarter when JR DL Nick Auriemma picked off McSweeny at the 13 yard line, returning it to the 12. Four plays later JR RB Bobby Dougherty would score from one yard out. JR PK Stephen Bruening's point after was good and Hobart would make it 14-7 with 9:20 to play in the first half.
The Wolverines would respond almost immediately on a second long Koudossou catch and run, this one a 66 yarder to post the Wolverines to a 21-7 lead after the Tryon point after. Hobart would battle back though, once again after the Statesmen defense forced a McSweeny fumble at the Wesley 32. Back up JR QB Kelly Olney would lead the Statesmen to the one yard line until SO RB Steven Webb broke through to pull Hobart back within seven points after the Bruening point after was good.
The Wolverine offense would tack on one more score, this time a 42 yard pass from McSweeny to Matt Barile with 17 seconds to play. The Tryon point after pushed the Wesley lead to 28-14 which stood at the half.
In the second half the Hobart defense continued to keep the Statesmen in the game, holding Wesley to a three and out on their first possession and then blocked a Wolverine punt at the 24 yard line which was recovered by SO OLB Devin Worthington and returned for a touchdown. The Bruening point after was good and Hobart found themselves only down 28-21 with 8:01 to play in the third quarter.
Wesley would embark on their longest drive of the game, taking over seven minutes and 13 plays before McSweeny connected with tight end Shane McAndrew from 15 yards out to put the Wolverines back up by 14 points, 35-21, with 47 seconds to play in the third quarter. Although the ensuing Statesmen drive stalled, the Hobart special teams made another big play when Wesley's Sean Hopkins mishandled an FY WR Elvin Souffrant punt, which Hobart recovered at the Wolverine 16 yard line. Two plays later Webb scored his second touchdown of the game, and after the Bruening kick was good, the Statesmen were once again back within seven, down 35-28, with eight seconds left in the third.
The fourth quarter would see teams trade possessions with Hobart driving inside the Wesley 10 yard line on two occasions. The first time Hobart failed on a fourth and goal from the five yard line when they could have come away with at least a field goal. The second would be Hobart's final drive of the game which ended when Olney's pass intended for JR WR Junior Woodard was incomplete with 1:43 to play. The Wolverines gained a first down and ran out the clock to escape with a hard fought 35-28 victory.
Olney lead the Statesmen with 211 passing yards. Webb lead all Hobart rushers with 45 yards on 11 carries and two touchdowns. On defense the Statesmen were lead by SR LB Reggie Robinson with a game high 15 tackles, one and a half taclkes for loss and a forced fumble.
Wesley was lead by McSweeny's 336 passing yards and five touchdowns. The senior quarterback also had a game high 61 yards rushing. Kossoudou lead all receivers with 166 yards and two touchdowns. The Wolverine defense was lead by linebacker Mike Asiedu with 14 tackles.
With the win Wesley improved to 10-1 on the season and will advance to play Linfield College, who were 30-27 winners over Cal Lutheran in Oregon. With the loss the Statesmen fall to 7-2 on the season.
More on this game and a post-season retrospective later this week. All in all, it was a one of the "gustiest" performances I've ever seen from a Hobart team. Although the loss will sting, the Statesmen should be proud of their effort today.
Both team's offenses got off to a slow start, turning the ball over on their initial possessions. After he Hobart offense stalled on it's second drive, Wesley's SR QBk Shane McSweeny drove the Wolverines to the Statesmen eight yard line before finding Jared Morris open for an eight yard touchdown. The Tryon point after was good and Wesley staked itself to an early 7-0 lead.
McSweeny would strike again on the ensuing possession finding FY phenom Steven Koudossou on a 72 yard catch and watched his receiver out run the Statesmen secondary for the Wolverines' second score of the day. The Tryon point after was good and Hobart found themselves down 14-0 with 4:03 to play in the first.
The Statesmen defense would try and turn the tide and tone of the game in the second quarter when JR DL Nick Auriemma picked off McSweeny at the 13 yard line, returning it to the 12. Four plays later JR RB Bobby Dougherty would score from one yard out. JR PK Stephen Bruening's point after was good and Hobart would make it 14-7 with 9:20 to play in the first half.
The Wolverines would respond almost immediately on a second long Koudossou catch and run, this one a 66 yarder to post the Wolverines to a 21-7 lead after the Tryon point after. Hobart would battle back though, once again after the Statesmen defense forced a McSweeny fumble at the Wesley 32. Back up JR QB Kelly Olney would lead the Statesmen to the one yard line until SO RB Steven Webb broke through to pull Hobart back within seven points after the Bruening point after was good.
The Wolverine offense would tack on one more score, this time a 42 yard pass from McSweeny to Matt Barile with 17 seconds to play. The Tryon point after pushed the Wesley lead to 28-14 which stood at the half.
In the second half the Hobart defense continued to keep the Statesmen in the game, holding Wesley to a three and out on their first possession and then blocked a Wolverine punt at the 24 yard line which was recovered by SO OLB Devin Worthington and returned for a touchdown. The Bruening point after was good and Hobart found themselves only down 28-21 with 8:01 to play in the third quarter.
Wesley would embark on their longest drive of the game, taking over seven minutes and 13 plays before McSweeny connected with tight end Shane McAndrew from 15 yards out to put the Wolverines back up by 14 points, 35-21, with 47 seconds to play in the third quarter. Although the ensuing Statesmen drive stalled, the Hobart special teams made another big play when Wesley's Sean Hopkins mishandled an FY WR Elvin Souffrant punt, which Hobart recovered at the Wolverine 16 yard line. Two plays later Webb scored his second touchdown of the game, and after the Bruening kick was good, the Statesmen were once again back within seven, down 35-28, with eight seconds left in the third.
The fourth quarter would see teams trade possessions with Hobart driving inside the Wesley 10 yard line on two occasions. The first time Hobart failed on a fourth and goal from the five yard line when they could have come away with at least a field goal. The second would be Hobart's final drive of the game which ended when Olney's pass intended for JR WR Junior Woodard was incomplete with 1:43 to play. The Wolverines gained a first down and ran out the clock to escape with a hard fought 35-28 victory.
Olney lead the Statesmen with 211 passing yards. Webb lead all Hobart rushers with 45 yards on 11 carries and two touchdowns. On defense the Statesmen were lead by SR LB Reggie Robinson with a game high 15 tackles, one and a half taclkes for loss and a forced fumble.
Wesley was lead by McSweeny's 336 passing yards and five touchdowns. The senior quarterback also had a game high 61 yards rushing. Kossoudou lead all receivers with 166 yards and two touchdowns. The Wolverine defense was lead by linebacker Mike Asiedu with 14 tackles.
With the win Wesley improved to 10-1 on the season and will advance to play Linfield College, who were 30-27 winners over Cal Lutheran in Oregon. With the loss the Statesmen fall to 7-2 on the season.
More on this game and a post-season retrospective later this week. All in all, it was a one of the "gustiest" performances I've ever seen from a Hobart team. Although the loss will sting, the Statesmen should be proud of their effort today.
Strang out for Wesley Game
JR QB Nick Strang's concussion will keep him on the sidelines for today's NCAA first round playoff game. JR QB Kelly Olney will get the start in his absence. Although SR WR and co-captain Garth Muratori has a strained PCL, he is listed as starting. The rest of the team's starters appear to be ready to go.
Kickoff is in 50 minutes and the game can be heard on www.weos.org. Ted Baker is on the call.
More on the game later today.
Kickoff is in 50 minutes and the game can be heard on www.weos.org. Ted Baker is on the call.
More on the game later today.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
