Hobart Comes Back to Win NCAA 1st RD Game, 22-15

It was the worst of times and the best of times.

The Hobart College Statesmen dug themselves into a 12-0 halftime deficit after giving up four turnovers to Empire 8 Champion Ithaca College. The Bombers (7-4) had to settle for FGs vs. TDs however thanks to an excellent game by the Statesmen (11-0) defense.

In spite of what was an otherwise awful first half, Hobart recovered and held Ithaca to 59 yards and three points in the second half as the offense slowly came back to life. Leading the resurrection was SR QB Patrick Conlan who overcame a bad start in throwing three interceptions (two of which were deflections / dropped passes) to finish with 201 passing yards and 62 rushing yards and two rush TDs, including the game winner. Hobart's other rushing TD was scored by JR RB Alex Furtado.

The Statesmen defense held the Bombers SR QB Tom Dempsey to 178 passing yards and one TD. Ithaca only rushed for 34 yards on 26 carries. Overall Hobart out gained Ithaca 355 to 212 yards.

Although it took a while for the OL to get going, Hobart used a key fourth quarter surge to put the Bombers away. The Statesmen rushed for 148 yards on 47 carries, most of which came in the second half as Asst Coach and OC Kevin DeWall '00 seemed determined to try and pass on the Ithaca 3x4 defense.

FY TE Chris Cyr, who led all Hobart receivers with 65 yards, made the catch of the season hauling in a 33 yard Conlan pass to give Hobart the chance to win the game in the final minute. Conlan ran it in on 3rd down for a TD and the FY PK Will McCool PAT gave the Statesmen their first and only lead of the game, 22-15, with 12.4 seconds remaining.

Defensively JR OLB Marcus Jemison returned after missing last week due to a concussion and made a huge impact, tallying eight tackles and 2.5 sacks, including a sack of Dempsey on the final play of the game. SR DE Tyre Coleman tied for 2nd all time on the D3FB career sack list with his 49th.

While this game probably won't go down as one of Hobart's finest, it's a rare win in an otherwise lopsided series vs. Ithaca, and it likely ensures the Statesmen will host Johns Hopkins (11-0) in Rd 2 next Saturday. The Blue Jays, Champions of the Centennial Conference, defeated Rowan (7-4) the New Jersey Athletic Conference Champions, by a score of 24-16.

Kickoff will once again be at noon. The official host locations are announced by the NCAA tomorrow.

More analysis on this tomorrow night at 7:30 pm at www.inthehuddlle.com. Tune in and go 'Bart!