Who Will "Catch On" for Hobart?

The 2021 preseason is underway and while D3Football.com remains a no-show (to be fair, I do expect them to drop a preseason Top 25 any day now*), the rest of the (non-NESCAC) D3FB world is working hard towards kicking off the season in the next 15-17 days. Hobart travels to Alfred for a 7:00 PM kickoff in 16 days. 

As an aside, I would really love to see our friend and the voice of the Statesmen, Ted Baker, do a Hobart Football weekly podcast this fall like he did for the spring lacrosse season. 

This week I had a fellow Hobart alum and former Statesmen FB player ask me about this year's team and he pointed out some interesting statistics. Regarding the Statesmen WR corps, JR WR Shahkyle "Matthew's is the only WR who has a college reception. Only 3 others have played at this level [JR WR Gavin Buda, JR WR James Miele & JR WR Alex LaBella). We need the FR and SOs to have some players there."

Conversely, Hobart has an embarrassment of riches at RB, having two "[technically] SO RBs who gave us 1,680 yards on 173 cumulative touches [86 for SO RB Rayshawn Boswell and 87 for SO RB Tim Denham, Jr.] and 16 TDs in 11 games as FY players." Of the "28 career receptions returning" these two RBs "accounted for 24", certainly making the WR group fairly green by most standards.

JR WR Shahklye Matthews was a featured student in HWS.edu's "TWIP"

This WR group, along with the QB position battle, will be one of the most eagerly anticipated as we approach game week. Matthews has proven his ability to be a playmaker, but is he ready to be a top target in the Hobart offense? I know the coaches have confidence in his ability and so we will have to wait and see what type of game plan and how the WRs are used in just over two weeks. 

Interestingly enough, my friend also shared with me that the website "versussportssimulator.com" seems to like Hobart in this matchup. Based on their algorithm the Statesmen are favored by a little more than a TD with over a 73% chance of winning.

I don't know if I'd say the odds are that good against an Alfred team that had the benefit of two spring games, but I do like the Statesmen's chances. I'll have more on that game, a team and season preview soon. Our "In the D3FB Huddle" podcast will also be back for a 14th season. Frank and I plan to start production here in FL and NY in the next week.

Until then, thanks for reading and go 'Bart!