The Hobart Statesmen looked to atone for last season's league opening loss to eventual champion Saint Lawrence University on a damp and grey day in Geneva.
It was an auspicious start for Hobart as they turned over the ball three times in the first half, first on an interception by JR QB Nick Strang, then two series later on a fumble on a punt return by JR WR Junior Woodard. Woodard would cough the ball up again after making a catch later in the second quarter.
The Statesmen remained resilient however lead behind a very strong pass rush of FY DE Tyre Coleman who started his first collegiate game after earning the league Rookie of the Week honors the week prior against Saint John Fisher.
The game remained a defensive struggle until late in the first half. After forcing the Saints to punt deep on their side of the field, Hobart took over from the Saint Lawrence 41 yard line. Strang would lead the team downfield finally connecting with SO WR Yosh Karbonwicz for a two yard touchdown with only 19 seconds remaining before the half. The Reyes Guevara extra point was good, and Hobart took a hard fought 7-0 lead into halftime.
The second half was more defensive dominance for the Statesmen as Hobart caused a Saint Lawrence fumble on the Saints' 19 yard line. The Saint Lawrence defense would stand firm however and SO PK Reyes Guevara kicked a 36 yard FG to push the score to 10-0 with 8:49 left to play in the third quarter.
Strang would put the game out of reach midway throught the fourth quarter, capping a 17 play, 81 yard drive calling his own number on a three yard touchdown run.
SO OLB Austin DiMarco would put the defense's signature on the win with a 38 yard interception for a touchdown return to close out the game on Saint Lawrence's ensuing possession.
Although the Guevara kick bounced off the upright, Hobart would close out the day with a convincing 23-0 shutout of the defending Liberty League Champs.
The Statesmen were lead in what was an otherwise "off day" by Strang who passed for only 139 yards and rushed for 43. Leading the Hobart rushing attack was SO RB Steven Webb with 54 yards on 15 carries.
SR RB Marcus Washington lead the Saints with 81 yards on 20 carries, but the Hobart defense's five sacks of SO QB Nik Busharis caused -36 yards, leaving Saint Lawrence with only 59 total on the day.
Busharis struggled mightily against the Statesmen's pass rush and coverage, going three for 21 for only 25 passing yards and two interceptions.
That said the star of the day was the Statemen defensive line and Coleman who collected two and a half sacks, a fumble recovery to go along with five total tackles. SO OLB Devin Worthington and SR LB Reggie Robinson lead all Statesmen defenders with six tackles a piece. Saint Lawrence's defense was lead by linebackers Ramon Mignott and Andrew Cox with 11 tackles a piece.
With the win Hobart improves to 3-0, 1-0 in the Liberty League and will travel to Schenectady to face 2-3, 2-0 Union College in a battle of league unbeatens. Saint Lawrence drops to 2-3, 1-1 and has a bye week.
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