I had a full travel week for work so my attempt at a mid season review and a full on preview for this week was thwarted. Below is a quick synopsis of this weekend's game and more information can be gleaned from the Hobart game notes which were posted earlier today:
http://www.hwsathletics.com/documents/2010/10/20/MMAnotes.pdf
The Hobart Statesmen (3-2, 1-1) resume the 2010 season coming off their bye week to face the Mariners of the United States Merchant Marine Academy (3-4, 2-1) in Kings Point, Long Island. The Statesmen have four games remaining on their schedule and need to win out and hope Saint Lawrence, now 3-0 in the League after a 23-14 triumph over Union College, loses at least one LL game in the next four weeks.
This weekend SLU will face RPI (2-2, 1-1) who upset then #21 Alfred (5-1) after SR PK Peter Nilson connected on a 37 yard FG with less than 10 seconds to go in the fourth quarter. The Engineers held onto the 27-24 victory and will host Hobart in Troy, NY in two weeks.
After struggling with injuries and an early season losing streak, the USMMA has won two in a row, outscoring their opposition 74-27 over that same time period. That said, the Statesmen have enjoyed a six game win streak over the Mariners, and have shut them out twice since 2007. Needless to say, when we interviewed USMMA Coach Mike Toop last Sunday on “In the HuddLLe” (www.inthehuddLLe.com) he was very focused on getting on the board against Hobart.
The Mariners recently overhauled their offense to a triple option and so far the move has paid off. The Statesmen have not played any triple option schools this season; the closest would have been the Wing T they saw at Carnegie Mellon.
The USMMA’s rushing attack is lead by SO RB JL Gosselin (had a career high 157 yards against Rochester last weekend) and SR co-captain and RB Karl Heimbrock, who just returned from a knee injury. QB Derrek Ventre rarely throws, but is generally accurate when he does.
The Mariners defense has given up some big points - particularly in the 64-0 undressing by Springfield College - and in the past has been susceptible to the Statesmen passing game.
A few interesting observations based on the 2 deep are as follows:
•It appears as though Doug Vella’s knee still has not healed (he's not listed on the travel roster) so it appears as though SO QB Nick Strang is set for his second straight start
•SR Co-captain and FS John Kelliher is also not in the line up for the defensive backfield. FY Chad Dorrance will start at FS as will FY CB Connor Garrett.
•SR Kyle O’Laughlin will stay at OLB and SO LB Andrew Klindera will remain as the starting ILB.
Keys to game:
1. Bend but don’t break vs. the triple option - At 5' 10" and 225 lbs, JL Gosselin is a load and a quick one at that (he claimed to run a 4.5 40 yard dash when we interviewed him after the WPI win on ITH). If Hobart's defense can bottle up Gosselin, they'll be on their way to ensuring a seventh straight win over the USMMA.
2. Remember the shut outs - The Statesmen's D has had some of its best days against this Mariner squad, so they should be very confident. Hopefully Hobart will channel that energy into Saturday's game, but I don't expect them to have as easy a time with the triple option....
3. Continue to focus on fundamentals – Hobart leads the Liberty League in penalties received and is second to last with a -6 turnover margin. Simply put, the Statesmen have to quit turning the ball over and making as many mental mistakes as they have in the prior five games if they expect to have a shot at winning their next four games and have a shot at going back to the NCAAs.
Prediction:
Given the past history of this series I like Hobart's chances, but nothing is a guarantee this year. The USMMA will likely get some yards and a few scores but I don't think their defense can keep up with a Hobart offense that's averaging over 400 yards and nearly 30 points per game.
That said I'll take the Statesmen in this one 31-19.
Kickoff is at 1 PM ET on WEOS.
Go 'Bart!
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