NCAA RD 1 Gallaudet Game Preview

It’s playoff time and for the third year in a row, the Hobart College Statesmen have made it into the field of 32 teams vying for the National Championship.  Based on Sunday night’s NCAA Selections, Hobart (9-0, 7-0) landed the second seed in the bracket headed by third ranked University of Mary-Hardin Baylor (10-0, 6-0).  UMHB is a rising powerhouse program out of Belton, TX (about an hour away from Austin).  In order to punch a ticket to Belton, Hobart needs first to defeat the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) Champion Gallaudet University Bison. 

Gallaudet (GU), out of Washington, DC, is another triple option team but is unique to collegiate sports in that GU is a school for the deaf / hard of hearing.  The Bison (9-1, 6-1) came up short in their bid to have an undefeated season after losing 7-6 to ECFC rival SUNY-Maritime (5-5, 5-2).  Although GU did defeat the University of Rochester (5-4, 3-3) by a similar margin (three TDs) of victory as the Statesmen, Hobart (9-0, 7-0) is considered a heavy favorite in this game. 

Scouting the Bison:

GU averages 366.5 YPG with 316.7 YPG rushing given their triple option offense.  The Bison has averages 27.8 PPG.  The key players for GU on offense include SO QB Todd Bonheyo who leads the Bison with 387 passing yards, two passing TDs to go with five INTs.  Bonheyo has rushed for 583 yards and seven scores.  Bonheyo was knocked out of the game in the second to final series against SUNY-Maritime (which was the primary reason the Bison went for two and the win), so it remains to be seen if he’ll be able to suit up vs. the Statesmen or not.  If he can’t go, either FY QB Chris Papacek or SO QB Quentin Williams will get the start.

The Bison feature a trio of rushers including SO FB BJ Flores (1051 rushing yards and four TDs), SR RB Ryan Bonheyo (Todd’s older brother who’s rushed for 497 rushing yards and nine TDs and 152 receiving yards with two TD catches) and SO RB Braxton Baker (241 rushing yards and six TDs).

Defensively GU has allowed 260.5 YPG and is tough against the run only allowing 100.5 rush YPG.  Their points allowed are a respectable 14.8 PPG.  The Bison are led on defense by a pair of JR LB’s including Gregg McConville and Jaris Alleyne.  This duo has tallied 85 tackles, three sacks, 11.5 TFL and 84 tackles, three sacks, eight and a half TFL, respectively.

The GU special teams unit is led by SO PK Chase Magsig who’s connected on five of eight FGs, including a long of 38 yards.  Magsig has converted 31 of 35 PATs and is also the punter, averaging 33.9 YPP with a long of 66 yards.

Keys to the Game:

1. Early and Often – Hobart’s had a couple of weeks of slow starts on offense.  Against Saint Lawrence (7-3, 5-2) the Statesmen’s first TD came at 3:23 to go in the first quarter.  Against Rochester it took even longer, at 13:52 to go in the second quarter. I’d like to see the Statesmen put the Bison on their heels early in the game as triple option offenses aren't that effective playing from behind.
2. Third Down – A key in their loss to SUNY-Maritime last weekend were the Bison’s struggles converting on third down.  The Privateer defense only allowed five out of 14 conversions and kept GU under 200 yards rushing.  Hobart’s rushing defense is considerably better, and given their familiarity defending against the option, should be able to pin down the Bison.
3. Wet and Wild – The forecast for Saturday’s game is a high of 39 degrees and 60% chance of rain.  That’s playoff weather, and the Statesmen need to avoid fumbles on offense while looking to create them on defense.

Prediction:

Occasionally first round playoff match ups feature blowouts.  In spite of all the national media love shown to GU, and deservedly so, I think the Bison's Cinderella run hits midnight at noon this Saturday.  Although Hobart will have its hands full in the second round, I think the Bison is a relatively easy out for the eighth ranked team in the country.  I’ll take Hobart to win this game 42-14 and advance to Sweet 16. 

Follow me on twitter @ITHuddLLe for score updates on Saturday and tune in Sunday night to www.inthehuddlle.com to hear about this game and the rest of the playoffs, at 7:30 PM ET.

Thanks for reading and go Bart!