The Hobart College Statesmen will take on new D3FB program Keystone College (La Plume, PA) this Saturday night under the lights of Boswell Field for Homecoming / Family Weekend. While the Giants (0-3) will be a new opponent for the Statesmen (3-0), there are some familiar faces on the Keystone sideline.
Giants HC Justin Higgins is an "Upstate guy" having attended Ithaca and coached at SUNY-Morrisville, among other D3, FCS and D2 stops along the way. He's built a solid roster of players (mostly from NY, NJ, PA and MD) and a talented coaching staff in a short time frame.
While the early results point to this game not being a super competitive one, the Giants should be taken seriously and this game could be an important final opportunity to evaluate some current and newer Statesmen players going into conference play.
Scouting the Giants
Offensively the Giants have called about 50 more passing than rushing plays to date, likely due to trailing in games. They've been outscored on average by a 30 PPG margin and have only scored 4 offensive TDs.
The Keystone offense has averaged just under 200 YPG and like most new teams, have struggled with penalties, being flagged about six times per game for a -60 YPG average.
JR QB Tom Roach has passed for 290 yards this season, going 29-62 (46.77%) with 3 INTs. SO QB Deswa "Des" Evans, Jr. appears to be the backup and has thrown a handful of passes as well. JR RB Kevin Lewis (pictured above) appears to be the main cog in the Giants offense. He has rushed for 131 yards and all 4 of Keystone's TDs this season. Also getting carries is FY RB Mujaheed Muhammad.
Roach's top targets have been SO WR Jordan Cook (6 rec, 109 yds.), JR WR Javier Tazza (7 rec, 68 yds.) and JR WR Chad Jones (5 rec, 58 yds.).
Defensively the Giants are led by JR LB Sean Tocci with 26 tackles and 1 TFL. The Keystone defense has given up a lot of yards (just under 450 YPG), but they have managed to nab 3 INTs and recover 3 fumbles.
The special teams unit is led by FY PK Josue Hernandez for kickoffs and PATs (he's 4-4 there). JR TE Zac Cost has attempted the most punts, averaging about 32 net yards. Keystone has yet to attempt a FG. In the return game, FY DB Darien Tabb has handled the majority of the kickoff duties so far this season.
Keys to the Game:
1. Air Traffic Control - The Statesmen running game is proving to be a nationally formidable one, averaging over 250 rushing YPG, but with better defenses like #19 Ithaca looming, Hobart needs to get better at and on passing plays. JR QB David Krewson has had his moments, and his WRs have had some drops, but he needs to "level up." He can do so by improving his completion percentage (which for his career sits at exactly 50% or 81-162, 1,052 yards, 7 TD and 5 INTs) and his overall field vision (e.g., not staring down his would be receivers). The latter would be a useful technique to work on in this game, as the SJF secondary took advantage of the lack of it last Saturday. I would also like to see SO QB Joseph Pelletier getting some extra playing time (i.e., basically taking over in the 2nd half) in this one as well. Hobart has yet to connect on a pass longer than 18-yds. this season. Maybe under the lights is a good chance to execute on a couple of "deep shots" in between perfecting more high percentage throws?
2. Put Away the Laundry - It's really tough to nitpick an undefeated (and nearly Top 25 ranked) team that's winning games by 5+ TDs, but if I could fix one thing on the stat sheet, it's the penalties. Whether it's actually been their fault, or just the refs who worked their games, Hobart has been flagged 25 times for -247 yards (or -82.33 YPG) so far this season. That's got to improve in order to make another LL championship and playoff run.
3. Have Fun - A big home crowd under the lights at the Boz hasn't happened in a couple of years. Hopefully the whole team can enjoy the festive Homecoming atmosphere and many FY and other players will get their first playing time, runs, catches, tackles and maybe even some TDs. Speaking of the latter, a belated congratulatory "shout out" to FY RB Andres Duran on his first career TD in the closing minutes of the SJF game!
Prediction:
While I think a shutout is possible, I do think with the bench emptied, Keystone will get a late score. I think the Statesmen should have a big night and run up a 56-7 win for the Homecoming crowd.
Thanks as always for reading and go 'Bart!
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