The #15th ranked Hobart College Statesmen return to Boswell Field this weekend for their 2015 home opener against the Endicott College Gulls of the NEFC. Last season Hobart had a slow start before pulling away in the second half to beat the Gulls by a score of 28-18.
Last season it was former OC Kevin DeWall '00 calling the plays for the Statesmen, but as we all know now he's taken over as HC of the Gulls' relatively new football program. The Gulls (0-1) looked like a young and inexperienced squad last Saturday, dropping their home and season opener 42-6 against Framingham State (1-0) of the MASCAC. To be fair the Rams were a 10 win program last season and barely missed earning a spot in the NCAA playoffs.
The Rams racked up 473 yards against the Gulls defense, earning 32 first downs compared to Endicott's 12. Framingham QB Matt Silva had a big day, going 29 of 35 and passing for 261 yards and five TDs. He added a rushing score as well.
Scouting the Gulls
With uniforms looking like a cross between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Seattle Seahawks of the NFL, the Gulls appear to be more of a passing than rushing team. #12 JR QB Joe Picard is a tall, athletic player with a decent arm. He completed 16 of 25 pass attempts against the Rams for 148 yards and a TD. He was sacked twice by Framingham's defense and intercepted twice in his first collegiate start.
#3 JR WR Jake Pelletier was Picard's favorite target, catching five passes for 52 yards, including one 30 yard reception. #88 JR WR Chris Lipscomb is a big (6' 2" 200 lbs) target who can catch (three receptions for 25 yards, including an 11 yard TD) and run (two carries for 21 yards).
#23 FY RB Johari Johnson and #5 SR FB Spencer Walsh had the bulk of the Gulls' carries Saturday, but neither could get much yardage against a tough Rams defense. Overall Endicott only gained 60 yards on 21 attempts (2.9 YPC).
Defensively #27 SR CB Lawrence Gonzalez and #53 FY LB William Rivera led the Gulls with nine tackles each.
Keys to the Game
1. Home Field - Boswell Field has been "home sweet home" for the Statesmen for many years, but in recent seasons especially. Hobart (1-0) hasn't lost a regular season at the "Boz" since the end of 2011.
2. Keep Building - The Dickinson game showed that this Hobart squad has a lot of potential and good chemistry. SO QB Shane Sweeney had a strong debut and should continue to build off of that in Saturday's game against Endicott. Third down conversions were a bit of an issue (only converting six of 18 attempts) last Saturday (albeit Hobart did convert four of five fourth downs) so I'd like to see a few more of those this weekend.
3. The Defense (Never Rests) - SR LB and Co-Captain Jacob Stanley earned the Liberty League Defensive Player of the Week Award for his seven tackle, two and a half TFL and two sack performance last Saturday in Carlisle. A link to the award announcement can be found here. I expect a similar outing by Stanley and the Hobart defense, who held Dickinson (0-1) to a mere yard on offense at the half. While HC Mike Cragg will be a gentleman and not run up the score, you can expect the Statesmen to stay stingy on the defensive side of the ball. JR OLB Marcus Jemison may or may not play this Saturday. If not ready to go, look for SO OLB Roddy Tierney, FY LB Kai Bradford and/or SO LB Will Hoffer to gain some valuable game experience in his absence or relief.
4. Work On (Not So) Special Teams - There really wasn't anything to complain about as a Hobart fan last weekend in what was a very dominating performance by the Statesmen. On ITH (and this blog) I nit-picked a little about the special teams play given some blocked kicks, a missed FG and some spotty coverage/penalties on punts and kickoffs. Hobart should use this game as way to refine the kicking and coverage play as field position will be crucial in Week 3's battle against Ithaca (1-0).
Prediction
Endicott is a few seasons away from being a threat given the youth and recent changes to their program. Coach DeWall will get them there, but this team will have some growing pains in 2015. We previewed this game (and all eight LL match ups coming up this Saturday in Week 2) on ITH last Sunday night, and if you missed it, you can catch the show here.
I'll predict a 35-7 Hobart win this Saturday at the Boz in a game which should allow several young Statesmen the opportunity to gain experience and allow the starters to build on Week 1's solid outing.
Check out Ali Marpet '15 in this press conference as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers get ready for their NFL season and home opener this Sunday
Thanks for reading and go 'Bart!
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