Week 11 - SLU Game Preview

The Hobart College Statesmen are looking to end the 2018 regular season on a positive note, travelling up to the "North Country" to take on long-time rival, Saint Lawrence University. While Hobart has dominated the series in the last couple of decades from a W/L perspective (Hobart has only lost to SLU three times in the last 29 seasons, dating back to 1990, 1991 and 2010), the Saints (2-7, 1-3) have given the Statesmen (4-4, 2-2) some close games in the past few seasons.

Hobart leads the all-time series 51-36-2, making this season's match up the 90th meeting of the two programs, dating back to 1901. Last season the Statesmen took care of the Saints will relative ease, winning the game, 34-7, at Boswell Field. Shane Sweeney '18 led the Statesmen with nearly 300 passing yards, while the Hobart defense recorded four sacks, one INT and held SLU to -19 rushing yards on the day.

Scouting the Saints 

FY QB Tyler Grochot turned heads, going 36-71 for 412 yds and 3 TDs, against #14 RPI in a 27-20 loss last Saturday.

This year's Saints squad is a young one, but HC Dan Puckhaber has brought in a lot of talent and SLU has not been an easy out for any of their 2018 opponents. SLU has a couple of talented QBs in Grochot and SO QB Aaron Ruthman. Grochot has struggled protecting the football this season (throwing 10 INTs), but had his best game last weekend against RPI. 

The Saints are primarily a passing team, and they have averaged almost 49 pass attempts, compared to only 24 rushing attempts, a game this season. Overall the Saints are averaging 18.5 PPG, scoring 17 passing and eight rushing TDs on the year. SLU has only converted one FG (only a 21-yarder) on three tries this season. Their starting lineup in last week's game listed four WRs and no RBs.

That said FY RB Jamie Battaglia has been their best runner, gaining 218 yards and two TDs on the year. Not surprisingly, the Saints have six different receivers with double-digit catches, but the clear leader of that group is SO WR Anthony Ferraro with 69 catches for 739 yards and 3 TDs. SR WR Travis Marnell has about half of that amount (34-436) but he's has the most TD receptions on the team with seven.

Defensively the Saints have allowed 29.44 PPG (which is pretty similar to Hobart's average on the season, albeit they have really improved in recent weeks there) and over 400 YPG of offense. They run a traditional 4-3 scheme with JR LB Riley Cott, FY LB Devin Kelley and SO LB Liam Murray as the Sam, Mike and Will, respectively.

Murray leads the unit with 82 tackles, including 7.5 TFL. He's no stranger to the Statesmen, as he's a former teammate to SO FS Cal Sullivan and FY RB Kyle Camposano at Acton-Boxboro HS (MA). The Hobart OL will have to keep an eye on SR DE Tyler Mirabile, who leads the Saints (and is tied for the LL lead) with 7.5 sacks and 11.5 TFL (which is second best in the LL). SO DT Caleb Null has been a good run-stuffer, logging 10.5 TFL and 3.5 sacks, to go with 49 tackles. 

On special teams SLU SR P Jackson Reaper averages 35.32 YPP and JR PK William Manory has averaged 53.9 YPKO. The Saints have a fairly average return unit, averaging about 16 YPKO and only 6.25 YPP. SLU lost it's PAT/FG PK to injury in the RPI game, so if they score, they'll likely be going for two.

Keys to the Game:

1. Start Fast - SLU leads the LL in total YPG, averaging 278.8. That's mostly due to falling behind early and having to play catch-up. The Hobart offense couldn't do much against a tough Ithaca defense last weekend, but they shouldn't struggle as much against SLU. Look for JR WR Jake Catalioto and JR WR Ray Conley to have good games, much like they did against RPI in Week 8.

2. Pin Their Ears Back on Defense - The Saints are one-dimensional on offense so the Statesmen will need to find ways to get to the QB and disrupt their passing game. Hobart only has nine INTs on the season, which is the worst mark in the LL, but they should get at least a couple of opportunities in this game to get a pick or at least match the four sacks they recorded last season against SLU.

3. Make a Little (Hobart) History - I think SO PK Kyle Hackett will break the Hobart all-time FG kicking record in this game, maybe as early as the first quarter, so make sure you tune into Ted Baker's WEOS call to hear (and if you're watching the stream, see) it. 

4. Just Win - There's a great chance that even with a 5-4, 3-2 record, the Statesmen can earn the NYS Bowl bid from the LL with a win Saturday. That extra week of practice and a 10th game, especially against a strong Cortland State (who will end up 7-3 or 8-2 overall after Cortaca) squad, would be a huge opportunity for this young Hobart team.

Prediction:

I think the Hobart offense gets back on track this weekend and the Statesmen run out to an early lead that they'll hang onto until the end, 27-12. 

Thanks for reading and go 'Bart!

Update: this will be the final game of the 2018 season. The LL has decided not to participate in the NYS Bowl and so the game will not be held this year.