It was a picture perfect Upstate NY October afternoon last Saturday in Schenectady. Matt Hawley '95 and I parked along Nott Street and made our way onto the Union College campus. We quickly came across the familiar sight of Orange (and some WWP camoflauge) clad Hobart fans tailgating just outside Union's Frank Bailey field.
The tailgate quickly welcomed us and we enjoyed the hospitality of several Hobart players' families including the Howard's, Catalano's, Monaco's, Farraca's and Guidetti's. Shots of Crown Royal were served up by the "Hobart Dads" as well as some delicious hamburgers and hot dogs from the tailgaters' grills.
Although we could have stayed up until kick-off at this Hobart party, Matt and I made our way up to the Rich Barlette '01 alumni tailgate behind the Union field house and caught up with other local alums, including my classmate, Chris Kirvin '96.
Our visit with the Barlette crowd was brief, however, given I had a pre-game show with WABY's Frank Rossi and Tom Santa Barbara. I made my way to the Union broadcast booth and prepared for my first ever spot as a color commentator.
Both Frank and Tom were real pros and welcomed me (although I was with the "enemy") into the fold. We did some pregame analysis then ran through the Union and Hobart rosters before the singing of the National Anthem.
Shortly thereafter the game was underway.
Obviously given the late date of this report we know that Union went on to win. The Union Dutchmen (4-1, 3-0) were lead by a record-breaking performance by JR WR Justin Gallo who surpassed a 42 year old mark for most receiving yards in a game with eight catches for 246 yards.
The first of Gallo's three touchdowns came after Hobart (2-3, 1-2) missed a huge opportunity to go up 14-0 after a fumble on the Union one yard line. After a 22 yard Chris Coney scamper, Gallo burned the Hobart secondary by a good 10-15 yards for a 76 yard touchdown catch and run.
The Statesmen and Dutchmen would trade scores throughout the first and second quarters to end up tied at 21 going into the half. Hobart took over 22 minutes off the clock rushing the ball behind an excellent zone blocking job by the Statesmen OL. JR RB Andy Marlier would have a career day posting 136 yards on 27 carries and two touchdowns. Still, the Statesmen had no answer for Gallo who simply out-played and out-ran the Hobart defensive secondary all day.
The Statesmen blitz was generally nullified by the Union OL allowing SO QB Drew Connolly plenty of time to make plays. JR RB Chris Coney was somewhat held in check given eight men in the box, but the Ft Lauderdale, FLA native still racked up over 100 yards rushing on the day on 23 carries for 114 yards and 1 touchdown. Coney scored the Dutchmen's second touchdown on a 42 yard run with 12:09 to play in the 2nd quarter. Coney veered off the left side of the Union OL then side-stepped several would-be Hobart tacklers and skated down the sideline for the score.
The Statesmen would respond to the Coney touchdown with two excellent drives covering over 20 plays, 100 yards and eight minutes of TOP. Both drives resulted in Marlier touchdowns to allow Hobart to take a 21-14 lead with 1:57 to play in the first half. Unfortunately all the Statesmen momentum built during those long drives was quickly eroded on an incredible one play, 70 yard Connolly to Gallo strike that only took 20 seconds off the clock.
To say Gallo was "wide open" is an understatement.
The second half both defenses asserted themselves and the 21-21 tie remained deadlocked until a 30 yard SR PK Zach Epley field goal gave Union a three point lead with 11:21 to play in the game.
Hobart SO QB Doug Vella (10 for 22 passing for 107 yards and one passing touchdown) was never really able to get comfortable in the pocket due to the Union blitz. Vella was sacked five times by the Union defense and often had to run away from pressure resulting in as much as 21 carries for only 30 (net) yards.
On defense the Dutchmen were lead by SO LB Steve Modliszewski who tallied 15 tackles on the day. Hobart was lead by co-captain Ryan Robinson with 13 tackles, including 2.5 for a loss and one interception.
Although the Hobart rushing attack looked unstoppable at times, both penalties (seven for 107 yards) and defensive break-downs ultimately cost Hobart the game. Gallo would seal the deal for Union with a final 41 yard touchdown reception to cap a seven play, 76 yard Dutchmen drive with 3:22 remaining.
To their credit, the Statesmen never gave up hope. The game remained on the line until SO PK's Conor Callahan 33 yard field goal attempt with 41 seconds to play failed.
The loss dropped Hobart to 1-2 in the Liberty League and marked the first time the Statesmen have lost more than one league game since 2001 (prior to the LL when Hobart belonged, along with RPI, Rochester, St Lawrence and Union, to the Upstate Athletic Association or UAA). The loss also ends Hobart's five year streak of NCAA play-off appearances. Union continues to have the Statesman's number having defeated Hobart four times in the past five seasons.
For more info on the Hobart-Union game please check out the following link:
http://www.hwsathletics.com/news/2009/10/10/HFB_1010091435.aspx?path=football
Some nice pix from the Hobart-Union game were posted on D3football as well:
http://www.pictureprints.net/albums.php?gallery=3056
Although a return to the NCAAs is no longer on the table, the Statesmen would have an opportunity to play in an ECAC "bowl game" by ending the year with a winning record.
On a personal note, although it ended up as a loss, it was a real treat for me personally to attend a Hobart game in person for the first time since 1997. Hopefully the next game I attend will be in less than 10+ years!
Hobart's next game is on Saturday, Oct. 24th against the Merchant Marine Academy (currently 4-2, 2-1). The MMA will face off against Rochester (1-4, 1-2) at noon this Saturday in Kings Point. The MMA has never defeated (0-13) the Yellow Jackets.
No comments:
Post a Comment