Sunday, August 30, 2009

Season Outlook

It’s fair to say that expectations are extremely high for Hobart in 2009 with the pre-season national ranking, and defending another league championship. Further, the Statesmen gained national respect in DIII circles just for holding their own for one half before eventually getting blown out by perennial powerhouse Mount Union.

That said, I have no idea how this Statesmen team will perform. They could go 9-0 and back into the NCAAs or end up 5-4. Realistically, 8-1 or 7-2 is the more likely scenario since: that a) Hobart hasn’t gone undefeated in LL play since 2004 and b) the Statesmen have lost one LL game a year (either to Union or RPI) since then. Either way, the keys to another successful run will likely depend on:

1. Reloading at QB – It is no coincidence that Hobart’s success in the past 8+ seasons is based on two key elements: great defense and great QB play. Although Doyle did a solid job (and certainly earned his spot in the record books for having one of the better seasons at QB for Hobart), he wasn’t the prototypical all-around-athlete Statesmen fans have grown used to after guys like Swanson ’04, Mizro ’07, and Strom ’08). Vella showed this same athletic potential – especially against RPI – but flamed out the next week. His development, or lack thereof, will have a big impact on 2009 for Hobart. The guys waiting in the wings could be really strong as well, so we’ll have to see how it plays out.

2. Improving the rush defense – The Statesmen defense was, as it almost always is for a Cragg coached team, a cornerstone to the 2008 season. That group will certainly be remembered for all-time performances such as 21 tackles by Hager against CMU. However, Hobart also gave up an average almost 150 yards rushing a game and were torched on multiple occasions for north of 200 by talented RBs and/or mobile QBs. The primary issue seemed to be weakness of pursuit off-tackle by the DE and OLB positions given the interior defense was extremely stacked. For example, Union’s Coney made a living running off tackle in last year’s Union game and the Wing-T (CMU) and other strong rushing teams gave Hobart fits. Still, Hobart lived, as they have for many years on their own “bend-but-don’t-break” style of ball-hawking, big-play, goal-line-stand, and winning-the-turnover-battle type of play (in other words: what do I know . . . ?).

3. Developing a “feature back” – Hobart has yet to really have a true “feature back” since the graduation of Doug Blakowski ’07 and have relied primarily on a “committee approach” to their rushing attack during the ’07 and ’08 campaigns. Although it’s great for multiple guys to get touches in games, in general I’d argue most coaches would prefer to have a RB they know they can hand the ball to 15-20 times a game and get consistent yardage. Marlier has the opportunity to fill this role for the ’09 edition of the Statesmen. Even after a slow start, Marlier came into his own late in 2008.

4. Improving in the red zone – Last season the Statesmen were only 55% (vs. 65% for their opponents) successful in red-zone TDs going 28 for 55 (opponents were 20 for 31). Hobart also came away with points on 36 of 51 (or 71% vs. 23 for 31 or 74% for opponents). All this analysis I have proffered here doesn’t mean a thing if Hobart can’t score more points than their opponents.

Okay, enough analysis and speculation – I hope you’ve enjoyed these initial posts and are half-as-excited as I am about the upcoming season. I plan to update the Statesmen’s status as the season progresses. Any additional insights, coverage, etc. is welcomed as I am all the way out here in Los Angeles with only the Internet and WEOS to keep me posted on Hobart’s progress.

Thanks again for reading and GO BART!

Friday, August 28, 2009

Season Overview

The Statesmen will face the Dickinson Red Devils (6-4, 5-3) in their season opener for the 17th straight year. Last season the Statesmen squandered a 14-0 halftime lead before a 14 point comeback in the final four minutes to win the game 28-21.

This year Hobart will head down to Carlisle, PA with a big #15 target on their back. Although Dickinson lost four games last season after making the NCAA play-offs in 2007, all four losses were by less than seven points.

The Devils also return the powerful trio of SR QB Ian Mitchell (who rushed for 62 yards on 11 carries vs. Hobart in 2008), JR RB Greg Lord (19 carries for 106 yards and 2 TDs) and SR WR Pat O’Conner (six catches for 101 yards and one TD). These weapons, and a strong supporting cast, make Dickinson a pre-season favorite to win the Centennial Conference (which includes teams such as Johns Hopkins, Muhlenberg and Gettysburg, among others) in 2009.

The Statesmen’s home opener will be against the Tartans from Carnegie Mellon University. The Tartans (5-5, 1-2) were picked to finish third (out of four teams) in the University Athletic Association (UAA) this season. Last season Hobart defeated CMU 21-16 in Pittsburgh despite giving up 210 yards rushing. Fortunately, it appears that CMU RB Anthony Ruzga (23 carries for 100 yards and one TD) has graduated.

Hobart opens up their LL slate with a trip to Susquehanna University (4-6, 3-4) and a home game against St. Lawrence (1-9, 1-6). The Statesmen then heads to Schenectady to play what’s become their most anticipated annual LL match-up against Union College (5-4, 4-3). Last year, the Dutchmen (at the time 1-3) came to Boswell Field with their season hanging in the balance and flat out embarrassed a favored, yet generally flat, and previously unbeaten Statesmen squad 38-35.

The Statesmen didn’t do themselves any favors by missing all three of their FG attempts, but Union should be credited with a great effort, out-playing and out-coaching a generally better Statesmen team. SO RB Chris Coney blew up the Hobart defense for 243 yards on 33 carries including a long 57 and three TDs. FY QB Chris Connolly was effective, if not spectacular in throwing for 102 yards and two scores. Both guys are back again this fall and are expected to lead the LL in rushing and QB play, respectively.

Union is still a young team and, in spite losing 25-12 to rival RPI, finished 2008 strong (including an incredible 51-45 shoot out victory over Susquehanna). That said, the Dutchmen also have one of the toughest opening schedules in the LL facing #10 Ithaca (9-2, 5-1) and Muhlenberg (9-2, 7-1) prior to opening LL play against Rochester (3-7, 3-4) and last year’s surprise LL contender Worcester Polytechnic (aka WPI 7-3, 4-3).

However, Regardless of either team’s W/L record coming into this game, expect a battle. Union by the way is the only LL team to have a winning record (3-1) against Hobart over the past four (2005-08) seasons. To say October 10 is circled on my calendar is an understatement.

Hobart then welcomes the Merchant Marine Academy (MMA 3-7, 2-5) and then travels to Worcester on Halloween to face the “Bizarro-neers” (as dubbed by my RPI buddies). The Statesmen close out their home slate against rival RPI (8-2, 5-2) who bring back a stout defense (which held Hobart to only 47 rushing yards in the ’08 game) but need to fill the shoes of graduated All-LL QB Jimmy Robertson and several other key offensive stars.

Hobart wraps up the 2009 season in the annual Centennial Cup game against Rochester.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Key Returning Players

1 Drake Woodard CB SO 5-11 170 Marcy, N.Y. Whitesboro
All-America candidate at CB, finished season ranked #14 in the nation in interceptions.

2 Andrew Marlier RB JR 6-0 210 Lake Forest, Ill. Lake Forest
Lead the team in rushing with 613 yards and five TDs. Marlier came on strong late in the season with an exceptional game (96 yards and a TD) against solid Lycoming rush defense in the NCAA playoffs.

5 Tyler Vincent WR SR 6-2 205 Baldwinsville, N.Y. C.W. Baker
Ranked #2 in LL in receiving TDs (seven) also averaged 36.4 yds as Hobart’s punter. Had a season high 10 catches for 138 yards and 2 TD vs. Union. Also a threat to pass on a trick play, Vincent went three for five for 57 yards (long of 24) in 2008.

7 Mike Lazore WR SR 6-3 190 Carthage, N.Y. Immaculate Heart
Played in 10 games last season and is a mid-fielder on Hobart’s DI lacrosse team. Lazore had three receptions for 24 yards in the playoff game against Lycoming. A special teams stand-out.

9 Zachary Schulz WR SR 6-2 200 Westhampton, N.Y. Westhampton Beach
Started nine games last season catching 43 balls for 484 yards (11.3 avg) and four TDs. Vincent has one or more catches in each of the last 14 games.

10 Chris Szymanski CB SR 5-10 175 Williamsville, N.Y. Williamsville East
The starting CB opposite Drake Woodard – has played on the varsity football team since his first year at Hobart. Recorded 38 tackles and one INT in 2008.

11 Ryan Robinson LB SR 5-10 205 Johnson City, N.Y. Johnson City
Co-Captain of the 2009 Statesmen team, may move to ILB from OLB position in 2009. Older brother Nolan ’07 was also a Captain. Ended 2008 with 54 tackles, led the team with 14 tackles for a loss, four forced fumbles and three sacks.

16 Paul Overdorf WR SR 6-2 200 Troy, N.Y. Averill Park
Doubles as WR and PK. In 2008 Overdorf converted both of his field goal attempts and went 14-of-15 on PATs. Averaged 34.4 yards per punt in relief of Tyler Vincent. On the receiving end, he tallied four catches for 33 yards and a touchdown. Overdorf also holds the distinction of being only one of a select few players in NCAA last year to record a receiving TD (of 14 yards) against Mount Union’s #1 ranked defense.

19 Conor Callahan K SO 5-9 190 Carlisle, Mass. Concord-Carlisle
Although he only went six for 12 on FG attempts last season (including being benched after the Union game), Callahan came back to kick the game winning 37 yarder against then #17 RPI as time expired and followed it up with a 20 yard game winner against Rochester with 1:01 to play to send Hobart back to the NCAA play-offs.

22 John Kelliher FS SR 6-1 195 Hingham, Mass.
Backed up Lance Boyington at FS and played in all 11 games last season. Will compete against #22 Scott Holton FS SR 5-10 195 San Mateo, CA for the starting FS job.

26 Orlando Patterson LB SR 5-8 205 Boston, Mass. Tabor Academy
Tallied 42 tackles and one sack. Will remain in starting OLB position and look to improve on Hobart’s perimeter defense.

39 Kyle O'Laughlin LB JR 6-1 210 Syracuse, N.Y. Onondaga
Will likely start in 2009 after backing up Hager and Sanders.

41 Kyle Tritten RB SO 5-9 185 Whitesboro, N.Y. Whitesboro
Mostly a back-up in 2008, Tritten is a speedster who will likely get more playing time in 2009. Rushed eight times for a season-high 68 yards against Lycoming in the NCAA Playoffs, the bulk of which came on a literal 40-yard dash against the Warriors. This 40 yard run ended up being the longest from scrimmage of the season by a Statesman.

46 Andrew Miller FB SR 6-1 210 Washington, Pa. Washington
Starting FB last season who contributed to all three of Hobart's 200-yard rushing games (Susquehanna 221, Merchant Marine 231 and Lycoming 205).

52 Tony Guidetti DE SR 6-1 235 Queensbury, N.Y. Williston Northampton
Returns to anchor the defensive end role from last season opposite Kwame Lovell. Recorded 24 tackles, including six for a loss and two and a half sacks.

54 Mike Faracca DT SR 6-0 260 Williamsville, N.Y. Williamsville East
Started opposite Ryan Aruck in 2008. Will be relied upon as the anchor for the interior defensive line. Contributed 41 tackles in spite being double-teamed by opposing offenses on most downs.

55 Sean Kluber OL JR 6-1 255 Ridge, N.Y. Longwood
Will compete for starting Center position after backing up Rick Riggi ’09.

61 Brian Monaco OL SR 6-2 290 Amherst, N.Y. Amherst
Co-Captain for 2009 and will likely return as the starting RG for the Statesmen. Earned both Liberty League as well as ESPN The Magazine Academic awards (was an ESPN First Team All-American, the first in Hobart football history).

74 Anthony Coletta OL SO 6-4 275 Freeport, N.Y. Freeport
Will compete to fill the LT position vacated by the graduation of Kevin Condon ’09.

79 Angelo Catalano OL SR 6-3 275 Cortland, N.Y. Homer
Returning RT for the Statesmen.

80 Garth Muratori WR SO 6-3 205 Briarcliff Manor, N.Y. Briarcliff
Back-up WR had some key receptions in the RPI game. Finished the year with 12 catches for 129 yards and one TD. Also returned six kickoffs for 158 yards and made four special teams tackles.

84 Andy Schettine WR JR 5-11 185 Silver Creek, N.Y. Silver Creek
Another backup who broke into the starting lineup late in the season by catching 11 passes for 133 yards on the season. Scored a TD in RPI game.

86 David Degan TE SR 6-4 240 Lockport, N.Y. Lockport
Big receiving target who backed up Matt Duliba ’09. Will compete for the starting job against #87 Matt Marsh SO 6-1 240 from Wynantskill, N.Y.

90 Kwame Lovell DE SR 6-1 235 Schenectady, N.Y. Schenectady
Tallied 41 tackles and one sack. Returned a fumble 26 yards in the WPI game.

93 Anthony Shaw DT SR 5-10 260 St. James, N.Y. Smithtown West
Saw action in 10 games and recorded three sacks. Will likely spell Arduini and Faracca.

94 Mike Arduini DT SR 6-0 270 Hamilton, N.J. Hun School of Princeton
Likely to take over as other starting DT opposite Faracca, replacing ’08 standout Ryan Aruck.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Preseason Preview

Are you ready for some football?!?!

You better be, because this season marks the first time that the Statesmen are comin’ atcha as one of the top 15 programs (ranked #15 by D3football.com, #16 by USA Today and #17 by the Sporting News out of 238 teams) in the nation!

Hobart will look to defend their Liberty League (LL) title facing a tough slate of opponents, including out of conference foes Dickinson and Carnegie Mellon, and renewing LL rivalries with RPI, Union and Rochester.

Hobart ended the 2008 campaign with a 9-2 mark (the Statesmen also had 9 win seasons in 2000, 2004 and 2005), earning its sixth NCAA play-off berth in eight seasons and advancing to the second round before falling to the 2008 National Champion, Mount Union College (15-0), 42-7 in Alliance, OH.

Although the Statesmen graduated several stand-outs from last year’s squad (especially on the defensive side of the ball; notably: ILB Justin Hager, ILB Jeff Sanders, DT Ryan Aruck and FS Lance Boyington) Hobart welcomes back a veteran squad (seven returning starters on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball) in 2009.

Although there are a few key holes to fill on defense (pun intended), the big question going into this season is who will lead the offense for ’09 Statesmen at QB? For the third time in three seasons, Hobart will have a new starting QB. So far the leading candidates are:

#8 SO QB Doug Vella – Vella came off the bench to fill in for Doyle (shoulder) and sparked Hobart to a 20-17 last second victory over the then 17th ranked RPI Engineers. Vella completed 7 of 12 passes for 82 yards and one touchdown and also ran for 43 yards on eight carries in the game. Vella earned the LL co-Rookie of Week award for his efforts. The following week Vella started but struggled in the rain and mud at Boswell field against a tough Rochester team in Hobart’s regular season finale. He went 2 for 7 passing for only 4 yards and one interception before being benched in favor of Doyle.


#6 JR QB Preston Earl – A transfer from Illinois State (DI-AA now FCS Div I), the 6’2”, 215 lbs QB was primary a special teams player at ISU. That said, he did win an 8A IL State Championship and is the son of former NFL player Robin Earl (Chicago).


#12 FY QB Nick Strang – Not a lot of info on this kid but at 6’ 4”, 225 lbs this FY has received some hype given his size and his winning the MVP award as a SR at the NY Section I North-South All-Star game.

I'll cover other key returning lettermen/starters for Hobart later this week.

Monday, August 24, 2009

Comin Atcha 2009 - A "disclaimer"

I have always enjoyed writing and have done so on numerous occasions. That said I had never "published anything" until I started sending out weekly summaries on the Hobart Statesmen Football team to my former team and classmates from Hobart College (my undergrad alma mater in Geneva, NY) back in 2007.

These ramblings (which to clarify and qualify, are mine alone and have no other association to Hobart or the Sports Information Department) caught some modest interest, so I carried it over the next season.

Wouldn't you know that in an email conversion back in February of this year, I lost my distribution list. That said I figured a blog was probably the easiest way to continue this effort.

So here goes - Hobart Football 2009 is "Comin Atcha"!