WPI ranks last in the LL in scoring offense (14.8 PPG), total offense (244.8 YPG), rushing offense (98.8 YPG), passing efficiency (76.9), kickoff returns (17.8 yard average), field goals (60%), offensive first downs (13 per game) and third down conversions (21.7%).
The Engineers defense has played tough however and is the fourth ranked LL scoring defense allowing 18.5 PPG. Their pass defense efficiency and sacks by totals are ranked second with a rating of 91 and 12 sacks, respectively. Their DL and secondary (which has eight interceptions, including one returned for a TD) are solid, but often left out to dry because the offense's possession issues.
Scouting the Engineers
Given last week's struggles my guess is Coach Robertson will start #18 SR QB Jacob Grills given his benching of #9 SO QB Dan Eckler after throwing three interceptions against RPI (3-1, 1-0) last Saturday in a 27-6 defeat.
A pair of SO WRs named Joe Igoe (81) and Brandon Eccher (89) lead WPI with 20 and 15 catches for 233 and 136 receiving yards each. Defensively #35 SO LB Brian Murtagh leads the Engineer defense with 43 tackles.
#92 SR PK Blaine Bursey handles the kicking duties on special teams. #93 JR PK Vinny Tavernelli leads the LL in punting with a 42.8 YPP average, including a long of 68 yards.
Keys to the Game
1. Show Up / Final Tune Up - This comes across harsh, but this will be Hobart's fifth game against a team with a losing record (I get Dickinson was 0-0 on 9/6 but they are 1-3 since and their sole, one point, win was against a team that is 0-4). Overall the Statesmen have beaten teams with a combined 6-14 mark. Those six wins by Hobart's opponents came against teams that are a combined 1-17. The good thing for the Statesmen in this "extended preseason" is that it's given this young team a chance to gel, get a lot of new (to varsity) players on the field and so far avoid any serious injuries. Hobart's defense has been fantastic against the run, and don't expect a offensively struggling WPI team to give the Statesmen much trouble. It should be noted that the Statesmen are a perfect 10-0 against the Engineers. In the past two seasons Hobart has rolled up a combined 102 (while only giving up 15) points against WPI.
2. Don't Get Caught Looking Ahead - The second half of the Statesmen's season comes against Hobart's main LL rivals and teams currently sporting an 11-7 overall record. The only team on that list that has a losing record is Union (0-3, 0-1) who are off to another bad start. To the Dutchmen's credit, their opponents are a combined 10-1, and Union lost those games by the equivalent of a TD or less. The other three 1-0 LL teams chasng Hobart (RPI, SLU and SC) were a combined 10 points away from being 12-0 overall.
3. Keep on Running (But Maybe Some Roll Outs Could Work Too) -
WPI has a good rush defense, allowing 138.2 YPG but Hobart's rushing attack is above and beyond what the Engineers have seen to date. It also has emerged as their best foot forward (pun intended) given the initial struggles of SR QB and Co-Captain Patrick Conlan. Conlan is ranked fifth in the LL with a sub 50% completion percentage. To his credit he has four passing TDs and hasn't thrown an interception in the last three games. While he clearly has the arm strength, his accuracy and consistent timing with the WR corp hasn't clicked just yet. Hobart's SR WRs haven't been as much of a factor in the offense (five catches for 54 yards in the last two games) given the emergence of new talent like FY WR Brandon Shed and SO WR Jack Pfohl, as well as injuries, including that to National Football Foundation Award Semifinalist, SR WR and Co-Captain Troy Robinson. Conlan is very athletic and can run so I'd think some pistol style and/or roll out plays might better suit him vs a more traditional drop back and read style of QB play.Keys to the Game
1. Show Up / Final Tune Up - This comes across harsh, but this will be Hobart's fifth game against a team with a losing record (I get Dickinson was 0-0 on 9/6 but they are 1-3 since and their sole, one point, win was against a team that is 0-4). Overall the Statesmen have beaten teams with a combined 6-14 mark. Those six wins by Hobart's opponents came against teams that are a combined 1-17. The good thing for the Statesmen in this "extended preseason" is that it's given this young team a chance to gel, get a lot of new (to varsity) players on the field and so far avoid any serious injuries. Hobart's defense has been fantastic against the run, and don't expect a offensively struggling WPI team to give the Statesmen much trouble. It should be noted that the Statesmen are a perfect 10-0 against the Engineers. In the past two seasons Hobart has rolled up a combined 102 (while only giving up 15) points against WPI.
2. Don't Get Caught Looking Ahead - The second half of the Statesmen's season comes against Hobart's main LL rivals and teams currently sporting an 11-7 overall record. The only team on that list that has a losing record is Union (0-3, 0-1) who are off to another bad start. To the Dutchmen's credit, their opponents are a combined 10-1, and Union lost those games by the equivalent of a TD or less. The other three 1-0 LL teams chasng Hobart (RPI, SLU and SC) were a combined 10 points away from being 12-0 overall.
3. Keep on Running (But Maybe Some Roll Outs Could Work Too) -
Prediction
On Sunday night's InTheHuddLLe.com podcast I predicted thst the Statesmen would win by a lopsided score of 55-7. I'll dial it back to 45-7 but I'm still going with Hobart. Their rush offense will keep churning away and the defense will bottle up WPI.
Thanks for reading and go Bart!
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