Thank You Seniors!

For what will probably be the final post of 2014 I wanted to write a heartfelt THANK YOU to the graduating seniors (and their extended families and friends). As it has been well documented already, these young men have earned the best four year record, 41-5, in the 121 seasons of Hobart Statesmen Football history.

This run is a good reason why Hobart ended up ranked in the Top 10 in both major D3FB 2014 polls. The Statesmen finished the year eighth in the AFCA and ninth in the D3football.com Top 25, respectively.

Without further ado, please join me in looking back on and thanking these great student athletes for their contributions to Hobart College and the Statesmen Football team:

#1 WR Troy Robinson – finishes his career with 56 receptions for 705 yards and six TDs. The third of the Robinson brothers to attend Hobart and a great story on their family can be read here. I think Mr. and Mrs. Robinson deserve a special thank you for sending three outstanding Statesmen to Hobart (not mention handling all that tuition - that alone gets Mr. & Mrs. R a HOF nod in my opinion!).

#2 WR John Fasano – saved his best for last, making one of the biggest catches in Hobart history - a game winning TD in the second round of the NCAA playoffs to help the Statesmen beat #7 Johns Hopkins, 24-21. Fasano caught 60 passes for 797 yards and five TDs in his career.

#3 WR Elvin Souffrant – 46 catches for 1,147 yards and eight TDs. His 86 yard TD and run vs. Dickinson in Week 1 was the third longest scoring pass play in Hobart history.

#4 RB Alex Furtado – listed as a JR by the NCAA but Alex plans to graduate this spring. He played very well in his final season, rushing for 343 yards and six TDs while adding seven catches for 153 yards and one (HUGE vs. SLU) TD.

#12 QB Patrick Conlan – career record as a starter was 22-2. Passed for 3,603 yards and 33 TDs in his career. Also rushed for 264 yards and five TDs overall. A leader on and off the field.

#16 OLB Nolan Toran – played in 41 games racking up 130 tackles, three INTs and scoring on a safety vs. RPI this season.

#18 QB Kyle Bayly – played in 17 games, passed for 202 yards and three TDs in his career.

#21 DB Fajri Jackson – played in 45 games, tallying 149 tackles, 111 of those unassisted. A top cover corner for Hobart during his four year career and decorated LL player.

#24 OLB Matt McGriff – affectionately known as the “Crime Dog” and was a leader on and off the field for Hobart. Played in 30 games, totaling 40 tackles and one INT against Curry in 2014. His dad Jon's "H-O-B-A-R-T" cheers were awesome too.

#33 FB Dominique Ellis – nicknamed the “Horse”, Ellis rushed 235 times for 1,306 and 19 TDs in his 43 game career. Started all four seasons for Hobart and is arguably the best FB ever to suit up in a Statesmen uniform.

#41 DB Jordan Smith – played in 13 games where he made a total of 10 tackles.

#42 LB Jacob Price – played in 38 games making 81 tackles and blocked a kick in the second round of the NCAA playoffs vs. #13/24 Wittenburg.

#55 OL Ali Marpet – played in 41 games, starting at LT from 2012-2014. An all-time great OL for Hobart and is being seriously looked at by pro scouts.

#78 OL DeAndre Smith – played in 35 games and like Marpet, started at OG from 2012-14. Caps his career as a D3football.com All-East Region first team player and third team All-American.

#84 TE Mike Berkowitz – “Berk” played in 42 games, catching 45 passes for 17 TDs. The TD mark is best in Hobart history for a TE and tied for fifth all time on the career TD receptions list. Berkowitz ranks up there with Nico Karagosian '97 as one of the all time best TE's in Hobart history.

#90 DE Tyre Coleman – arguably the best defensive, if not overall player in Hobart history. Four year starter played in 46 games and was a multiple year All-American. 51 sacks ended up being good for second all time in DIII football history and 94.5 TFL was good for third all time. Overall tallied 224 tackles.

#93 DT Ben Dunham-Kapaldo – played in five games in his career.

#99 DT Troy Johnson – an under-appreciated (nationally speaking) DL, Johnson played in 44 games racking up 129 tackles including 10 sacks and 21.5 TFL. Had a career day 3.5 sack and TFL game in the LL Championship bout vs. SLU. A big reason Hobart’s defense was so dominant during the last 4 years was because of “TJ”.

Thanks again for the hard work, sacrifice and dedication of these Statesmen in the Class of 2015.

Happy holidays and New Year to all!