The eighth ranked Hobart College Statesmen (10-0, 7-0) capped their third straight undefeated regular season in a sloppy but otherwise hard fought win over their oldest rival, the University of Rochester Yellow Jackets (5-4, 3-4) yesterday on Senior Day at Boswell Field.
Hobart's fumbling issues continued, as four were either caused or were unforced with two being recovered by Rochester in the game, one for a safety early in the third quarter. The safety play sparked the Yellow Jackets, who were down 21-0 at the half, to a 16 point run that wasn't answered by the Statesmen until JR RB Conner Hartigan went 55 yards for a TD with 12:39 to go in the game.
Although Rochester made it a one score game with 1:30 remaining, the onside kick was recovered by SR WR Troy Robinson and Hobart took to the victory formation for a 28-23 win. SR QB Patrick Conlan led the Statesmen with 157 passing yards and one TD pass (to SR WR Elvin Souffrant). Hartigan led all rushers with a game high 114 yards and two scores. Hartigan has rushed for 239 yards on 27 carries the last two weeks, scoring in big spots for Hobart in both the SLU and UofR games. Needless to say I'd be interested in seeing him with a ~20 carry game come the playoffs.
On defense SO OLB Michael Harper made his first career start in relief of JR OLB Marcus Jemison (who I hope was out for precautionary measures if he is in fact nursing an injury). Harper was outstanding and tallied 11 tackles and 2.5 TFL for the Statesmen "D". SR DE Tyre Coleman added two more sacks and TFL to his already impressive resume. He now stands 3rd all time in sacks and needs one more TFL for fifth all time in that category.
In spite of a few issues in the second half, the Statesmen will find out tonight at 6PM what bracket they will land in the NCAA playoffs. D3football.com's Pat Coleman joined my ITH co-host Frank Rossi last night to go through a mock selection process. Check www.inthehuddlle.com for the recording of that show and D3football.com for their mock brackets (they put Hobart in the Mount Union bracket, hosting Delaware Valley in Round 1). My guess is the Statesmen draw NEFC Champion MIT (9-0) coached by former Hobart QB Chad Martinovich '94.
Tune into NCAA.com for tonight's selection show and In The HuddLLe starting at 7:15 PM. Frank and I will discuss the playoff brackets, interview Duey Naatz, the D3FB Selection Committee Chairman around 7:45 PM, then Coach Cragg after 8 PM tonight on www.inthehuddlle.com.
Thanks for reading and go 'Bart!
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