Sunday, November 4, 2018

Ithaca Outlasts Hobart, 10-3

The Hobart College Statesmen (4-4, 2-2) lost a tough, defensive battle on Senior Day, 10-3, Saturday in Geneva. The Ithaca Bombers (7-2, 3-1) capitalized on five Hobart penalties during key parts of the game, including an unsportsmanlike penalty on their single TD drive and a fumble call that probably was an incomplete pass that killed Hobart's best drive of the day (the refs at the Boz never seem to call them the Statesmen's way, in football or lacrosse).

The loss drops Hobart to their worst mark since the 2010 season. All is not lost for the Statesmen, however, as a win against SLU (2-7, 1-3) would salvage a winning season and a potential NYS bowl bid given Ithaca could end up in the NCAAs as an at large candidate (but that's a long shot, honestly) or the ECACs (see my post from 10/22/18 - note: even with the 21-16 loss to Brockport, Cortland (7-2) could also still be in the hunt for an at-large / Pool C NCAA playoff berth as well. Worse case they are currently in second place in the E8 and could be Hobart's potential NYS Bowl opponent given Alfred's surprising 28-14 loss to SJFC yesterday).

In yesterday's Ithaca game, the Statesmen got on the board first thanks to a 28-yard SO PK Kyle Hackett FG to take an early 3-0 lead. The kick tied the Hobart all-time mark for FGs made.

The Hobart defense showed up in a big way today, sacking SO QB Wahid Nabi four times. JR OLB David McCarthy, JR DE Collins Hudgins, JR LB Josh Walker and SO DT Isaiah Boone each had a sack on the day. McCarthy led the defense with 12 tackles with two TFL. Hudgins had nine stops and two TFL as well. SR DE Al Smith added three tackles and was ejected from the game in the final seconds. He will be illegible to play in the first half in next weekend's game.

While the defense shined, the offense struggled to move the ball on the Bombers defense, gaining 231 yards on the day. JR QB Ryan Hofmann went 13-25 for 100 yards and threw an INT. JR WR John DelliSanti had a 51-yard pass on a trick play to JR WR Jake Catalioto but the Statesmen were unable to cash it in. Hobart only made it to the red zone twice in the game, converting the Hackett FG in the first quarter.

I'll take a look at the SLU early next week. The Saints gave LL Champions RPI (8-0, 4-0) all they could handle, falling 27-20, yesterday at the ECAV. FY QB Tyler Grochot had a big day, passing for 412 yards (dropping back 71 times!?!? in the process) and 3 TDs against the Engineers.

Thanks for reading and go 'Bart!


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