RPI / 93 ToD Game Preview

The sixth ranked Hobart College Statesmen will look to make their push to the playoffs with four consecutive Liberty League games to close out the 2013 regular season. The first hurdle in their path is the RPI Engineers who will travel to Geneva this Saturday to take on Hobart (5-0, 3-0) at noon. RPI (3-0, 0-3) has struggled of late, and have had to overcome injuries and inconsistent play at the QB position in the past three weeks. The Statesmen had arguably their best game of the 2012 regular season dominating RPI in a 35-7 win at the East Campus Athletic Village in Troy.

In 2013 RPI is averaging 20.8 PPG on offense and ranks sixth in the LL with 324.3 YPG average. The Engineers have only scored 14 total TDs in six games. Part of this can be attributed to RPI’s struggles on third down. The Engineers rank last in the LL with a 30.6 conversion percentage. After starter SR QB Brendan McGlynn went down with a knee injury in RPI season opener, the Engineers have rotated between the duo of SO QB Jeff Avery and SR QB Jesse Maynard. Avery has slightly better overall numbers going 43 of 91 passing or 94.2 YPG with three TDs compared to two INTs. Maynard has gone 20 for 48 or 53.2 YPG, but has three INTs compared to only two TDs. However given Avery was injured in last weekend’s 37-31 loss to Rochester (4-2, 2-1), it appears as though Maynard will get the start this Saturday for RPI. Maynard is the more mobile QB of the two, but he’s not a very accurate passer. Overall the Engineers have a low passing efficiency, only completing 43.8% of their attempts.

Otherwise RPI's key offensive weapons are SR RB Andrew Armato and SR TE and Co-Captain Joe Cozzolino. Armato ranks eighth in LL with 61.3 YPG to go along with two rushing TDs. Cozzolino is RPI’s main passing threat, catching 19 passes for 274 yards and one TD.

The Engineers strength is on defense where they’ve only allowed a respectible 20 PPG average. Overall the RPI defense is ranked fifth in the LL allowing 336.7 YPG, which is somewhat high, yardage-wise. However, the Engineers rank second in LL with only 124.5 rushing YPG allowed. That mark will surely be tested by a Statesmen OL that’s helped Hobart runners average 286.6 YPG and score 18 rushing TDs in five games. RPI has also been efficient in passing defense, only allowing 55.2% completions by opposing QBs, good for second in the LL. The Engineers seven interceptions also rank them second in the LL in that category. The RPI D has been tough with a 38.3% opponents’ third down conversion mark as well.

The Engineers D is led by SO LB Brandon Cook with 48 tackles (8 TPG), including four and a half for a loss (TFL). SR DL and Co-Captain Ted Abriel has tallied 42 tackles, 10.5 TFL and three sacks. SR DL Arthur Kuyan has four sacks for -21 yards and seven TFL. The RPI secondary features JR DB Connor Young and SO DB Will Ash with eight and five pass break ups a piece. JR DB Philip Lanieri III leads the team with three INTs.

Although the Engineers rank last in the LL in kick and punt return yardage with 15.8 and 5.6 YPR, respectively; they are good in coverage. RPI special teams (and scoring) have been bolstered by the strong leg of JR PK Andrew Franks who has kicked eight of ten FGs (several in the 40-50 yard range) and making 13 of 14 PATs.

Keys to the Game:

1. Get Off to a Fast Start – Hobart has the ability to put up a lot of points, and if they get off to a fast start Saturday it will be extremely difficult for RPI to catch up. Although the Engineers did put up a season high 31 points last weekend, I don’t see them being able to match that against the Hobart defense which is allowing only 12.8 PPG.
2. Mess With Maynard – The Engineers passing game is not very strong and if the Statesmen take away Maynard’s ability to move in or outside the pocket, it’s going to be a long day for RPI. I am thinking we may see SR OLB Devin Worthington break the TFL record in front of the home crowd Saturday.
3. Focus on Fundamentals – This is an opportunity for the Statesmen to not only continue working on their bread and butter (i.e., running the ball and playing great defense), but also further develop. In particular getting some down field looks and improve the passing game.

Prediction:

While RPI has given Hobart fits in the past, these Engineers are in rebuilding mode and aren’t at 100% due to injuries. The Statesmen are coming off a bye week and should be rested and raring to go in front of the home crowd. The Statesmen have won 10 straight home games dating back to the 29-28 upset by the Mike Hermann led RPI on 11/5/11. I think Hobart comes out and piles it on early and wins this one going away. I’ll take the Statesmen in a 42-14 rout over the beat up Engineers.

Before I sign off I’d like to give a special shout out to my classmates and friends from the 1993 Hobart Football team that will be recognized at halftime as a “Team of Distinction” by the College. This was and is a great team and group of guys, so I am sorry I can’t be there in person to reminsce about the "good old days". Former Hobart OL and SAA Board Member David Gibbons ’94 gets a shout out for getting these guys back to campus for what should be a great reunion. Thanks for reading and go ‘Bart!