The ninth ranked Hobart Statesmen (8-0, 5-0) will look to pick up their program tying ninth win of the season (being 9-0 outright would also be a program first) and clinch the Liberty League (LL) title and accompanying playoff berth Saturday on the grass of Leckonby Field in Canton, NY. Standing in the Statesmen's way are the winless Saint Lawrence University Saints (0-8, 0-5).
The Saints are suffering through a tough season only two years removed from their first LL title and NCAA playoff appearance. The story of the season for Saint Lawrence has been one of rebuilding and growing pains, especially at QB. Saint QBs have accounted for a league high 18 interceptions (INTs) and have been sacked 29 times on the year for -166 yards.
Saint Lawrence is scoring only 15.6 PPG while allowing 33 PPG to their opponents and rank last in total defense (411.8 YPG allowed), rushing offense (82.9 YPG), opponent first downs (20.2 APG), turnover margin (-8), and red zone offense (52.2%).
Two weeks ago Saints Coach Mark Raymond handed the reins of the offense to SO QB Danny Metzgar. Metzgar has passed for 858 yards going 88 of 140 with seven touchdowns (TDs) to five INTs. JR WR Mike Tateosian has been a bright spot for Saint Lawrence and he leads the LL with a seven reception per game average and is fifth overall with 578 receiving yards (72.2 YPG) and five TDs.
Defensively the Saints are lead by SR LB Joe Napolitano who's tied for fifth in the LL with 64 total tackles (eight APG). FR LB Rajiv Heron is fourth in the LL with five and a half sacks and sixth with eight tackles for loss (TFL).
Keys to the game:
1. Turnovers - Hobart's defense this season has been excellent, but they haven't created as many turnovers as teams from prior playoff caliber seasons. The Saints running game is virtually nonexisitant and Saint Lawrence has been generous in this area in the passing game. I'd like to see some (like three or four) picks by the Statesmen "D" Saturday.
2. Bring cleats, good ones - Hobart has one of the best running games in the nation. Saint Lawrence is giving up over 200 YPG on average and gave up 342 to Springfield (5-3, 3-2) and 302 yards to RPI (5-2, 3-2) earlier in the year. The Statesmen OL has played great but they have played on field turf all season. Leckonby is the last real grass field in the LL which may slow down the Statesmen. Throw in the fact the weather forecast looks cold (high of 42) and wet (30+% chance of showers) which also isn't ideal, but hey, that's (way) upstate NY for you in early November.
Prediction:
Hobart has beaten Saint Lawrence 19 times in the prior 20 seasons. The Saints lone win was a four interception game by the Statesmen back in 2010 which also coincided with Saint Lawrence's lone conference title. In 2012 the LL belongs to the Statesmen and I expect them to claim the conference title outright in convincing fashion. I do think the grass field and weather will tone the scoring down but I'll take Hobart to win 35-14, with the 14 being late scores against the reserves.
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