The seventh ranked Hobart Statesmen got off to a rocky start but eventually dominated visiting 24th ranked Wittenberg University Tigers to win 35-10 in the second round of the NCAA DIII Football Playoffs. The Statesmen (12-0) were lead by JR RB Steven Webb with 130 rushing yards including a highlight reel worthy 57 yard scamper for the final of five rushing touchdowns (TDs) on the day. This is the first time in Hobart's 119 year history the team has won 12 games in a season and advanced to the National Quarterfinals.
The wintry and windy conditions caused both teams to struggle early in the game. Wittenberg (10-2) got on the board first after a Hobart penalty gave SR PK Sean Williams a second chance after missing a 35 yard FG attempt. The 30 yarder was good after the five yard penalty and the Tigers took a 3-0 lead with 4:35 to go in the first quarter.
The Statesmen would respond with a big 30 yard TD run by SR QB Nick Strang with 7:11 to play in the second quarter. The FY PK James Hull point after would be good and Hobart held a 7-3 lead, which would stand until halftime.
The second half saw both offenses come out firing with the Statesmen getting first blood. SO FB Dominque Ellis plunged in from one yard out to end a nine play, 63 yard march. The Hull point after gave Hobart a 14-3 lead.
Wittenberg's JR QB Reed Florence was kept in check for most of the first half but found SR WR Brendon Cunningham for 33 yards to set up the Tigers at the Statesmen three yard line. Tigers' RB JaVanh Sanders' three yard run would pull Wittenberg within four points, but Hobart would never look back.
Although Hull would have a 28 yard FG attempt blocked, SO DE Tyre Coleman would sack Florence and JR DT Corey Einbeck recovered a fumble to set up the Hobart offense with a short field. SR QB Kelly Olney would relieve Strang (who likely re-aggravated his sports hernia injury on the 30 yard TD run) and score on a 12 yard run to push Hobart's lead to 21-10 after another Hull extra point was true.
The Statesmen D forced a three and out to start the fourth quarter and Strang briefly returned to the game. The SR QB only needed to hand the ball off as the Hobart OL began to wear down the Wittenberg defense. Seven running plays later SR RB Bobby Doughtery tied the all time Hobart record for TDs in a season with his 19th on the year. The mark is now shared by Statesmen great Don ("A to Z") Aleksiewicz '74 and Dougherty.
A final Webb TD would ice the game and the Statesmen held on to win 35-10. JR CB Kevin Hearon punctuated the Statesmen's impressive defensive performance with an interception of Florence on a last ditch Tiger drive. Hobart held the vaunted Wittenberg offense to 26 yards rushing and only 109 passing yards. The Statesmen offense didn't pass much given the windy conditions, but ground out 286 rushing yards and held the ball for over 39 minutes in the contest.
With the St. Thomas University Tommies beating Elmhurst 24-17, Hobart will travel to Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN next weekend for a match up for a chance at the Final Four. Kickoff will be 1:00 PM ET (12:00 PM CT).
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