The seventh ranked Hobart College Statesmen improved to 7-0 and 5-0 respectively after a hard fought game against rival Union College. Hobart made plays in all facets of the game - special teams (two blocked punts, the second being returned for a TD), offense (377 yards and 41 points) and defense (only six points allowed until the subs were put in late in the third quarter).
Union (2-5, 2-3) came out fired up, but two JR QB Patrick Conlan TD passes to JR WRs Troy Robinson and John Fasano gave the Statesmen an early 14-0 advantage. The Dutchmen looked to turn the tide, and after a forced fumble, had some momentum and the ball on the Hobart 33 yard line. Six plays later SR RB T.J. Franzese caught a JR QB Nick Becker six yard pass for a TD. Although the point after failed, Union was only down 14-6 with 11:08 to go in the first half.
The Statesmen responded quickly and confidently, scoring twice on a SR RB Steven Webb three yard run and an 18 yard punt block by FY CB Gabriel Smith. The irony of the latter play was having seen Head Coach Mike Cragg go over to Smith after he blocked a punt against Springfield and saying "Next time, scoop and score". Smith, a graduate of LaSalle, not far from Union's campus, made the play just like Coach told him in front of his home crowd and family.
The second half was more Statesmen and the record books started being updated. Webb broke 1,000 yards on the season about halfway through the third quarter. He scored his 47th rushing and 50th overall TD with 2:33 to go in the third tying the Hobart All-Time marks in both categories. FY RB Brad Burns added another TD prior to Webb's second, and the Statesmen were up 41-6.
The reserves allowed two Union scores, but Hobart would win easily 41-20. The victory was the Statesmen's fourth consecutive win over the Dutchmen, a feat that hasn't happened since the 1975 season. Hobart was led by Conlan with 192 passing yards, two TDs and one INT. Webb tallied 128 yards, his 14th career game over the 100 yard mark, to go with two rushing TDs. The Statesmen "D" was once again led by SR LB Cory Davis with eight stops.
The only other commentary I'll add regarding this game was that the officiating was awful. They perpetuated an environment that allowed extra-curricular late and other hits, gave bad spots and otherwise endangered the safety of the players on the field. The two teams were flagged a total of 19 times for -185 yards, but at least another -100+ yards of penalties (e.g., missed face mask and other late hits) weren't called.
Needless to say this crew should never be allowed to call another NCAA game unless they receive some additional training / admonishment from the Liberty League. Ultimately a lot of the "chippyness" of this game could have been addressed if the officials simply told the respective team captains that any misbehavior would result in expulsion. Their allowing the "huffing" and extra-curricular activities, just made the game worse. In the end it still goes down as a Hobart win, but these aren't the kind of games anyone wants to see.
Coming up later this week I'll preview the Saint Lawrence / Senior Day game. I have a feeling we'll see the TD mark fall....
Thanks for reading and go 'Bart!!
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