2013 to Likely Feature Only 9 Games

The Hobart Statesmen have been unable to find the right fit for their open dates on 9/14 or 10/19 this fall.  According to sources, Montclair State (from the NJAC) was in the running but a deal couldn't be put together (and ultimately the Hawks signed an OOC game with Alfred University of the Empire 8 instead).  Hobart Athletics hopes to secure a 10 game schedule again in the 2014 season.

What this means for Hobart in 2013 is the Statesmen will only host four regular season home games.  The confirmed home dates at this point are:

9/21 vs. Utica (night game / parent's weekend)
10/5 vs. WPI
10/26 vs. RPI
11/9 vs. SLU

This is arguably the Statesmen's easiest home schedule in the past few years.  Normally Utica and RPI would be considered tougher opponents but both will have graduated their All-star QBs (in the case of Utica, Andrew Benkwitt was a four year starter and Mike Hermann at RPI was two time LL offensive player of the year and current NFL prospect).  RPI also graduates 21 SRs (including Hermann) and will likely be rebuilding under (yet another) new coach (Ralph Isernia, previously the OC at Ferrum).

WPI and SLU won't be taken lightly, but Hobart did beat both by a combined score of 95-22 last season.  The Engineers and Saints had down years in 2012, WPI winning only two games and SLU going 0-10.

Given the above, the Statesmen's path to another Liberty League (LL) title will need to come away from Geneva.  Key road games this fall include:

10/12 @ Springfield - The Pride finished in 3rd place in their inaugral LL season.  Although SC did graduate some strong RBs, they do return 2012 LL Rookie of Year QB Jonathan Marreo
11/2 @ Union - The Dutchmen finished 2nd in the LL and gave Hobart all they could handle in a 42-34 shootout last October at the Boz.  Union returns several key players including RB TJ Franzese, QB Connor Eck and WR Kyle Reynolds
11/16 @ Rochester - QB Dean Kennedy proved he was ready to take over the Yellow Jacket offense and the UofR gave Hobart a tough game.  The Jackets pulled within 5 points of Hobart in the fourth quarter before Statesmen QB Kelly Olney put the game out of reach.  The UofR is always a tough out in the Centennial Cup rivalry game

Stay tuned as we'll report on incoming Hobart players in the coming months.