After a relatively easy September, the Hobart College Statesmen have had one of the most challenging October's since, well, 2019. For the second time this month, Hobart was on the brink of a huge Liberty League rivalry and road win, just to come up a play short in the end. The Statesmen had their chances, but ultimately it was Union who were a little more composed and came up with a bigger play here and there to hang on to win a very exciting 27-20 OT thriller on a cool, sometimes wet, day in Schenectady.
To be fair, Hobart has also won their fair share of close ones (just ask RPI and SLU) this month also. It's just tough to swallow the fact this team could easily be 8-0 right now. To be fair, we could also be 4-4 based on how hard Weeks 7 and 8 were.
Nonetheless, more on this one below, ICYMI, you can see the HWS recap here.
In front of a packed Union Homecoming crowd the Statesmen (6-2, 2-2) fought tooth and nail to upset #12 Union College (8-0, 4-0), and nearly did. At the end of the day it was the little things - over 100 yards in penalties, a couple of special teams errors (e.g., a FG block and fake punt by the Dutchmen they converted into a first down) and drops - that led a potential season changing victory into a heart breaking loss.
The game box score shows two nearly identical teams from a statistical perspective with basically the same total yardage (370), plays (68 to 69), punts (5 to 4), turnovers (each QB was intercepted once), pass attempts (27 to 25), rushes (40 to 44) and sacks/TFL (0 to 1 and 5 to 4).
The Statesmen pass defense made 2019 D3football.com All-East Region 2nd team and now 5th year SR QB Will Bellamy look pretty average, only allowing 9 pass completions on the day. Just like in 2018, 5th year SR Cal Sullivan got an INT on Bellamy, this time it was to close out the first half. Ultimately though it was the big 66-yard JR/SR Andre Ross, Jr. TD catch and run that seemed to push the momentum in Union's direction in the second half.
Credit JR/SR QB David Krewson and the Hobart offense however, they continued to battle to the bitter end. Krewson played his finest game of his career Saturday, connecting on several long passes to JR/SR WRs Alex LaBella and James Miele in key situations, he led team in rushing also, with 59 yards on 14 carries and 1 rushing TD. His heart and resolve was truly something special to observe up close.
I am not sure what happened to SO/JR RB Rayshawn Boswell, who reportedly wasn't 100% since earlier in the season, after the 80-yd KOR to open the game? The Statesmen not being able to get points after that big return was an ominous start, but Hobart kept fighting and only trailed 10-7 at the half. While Boswell did get the TD that resulted in that 3-point Union halftime lead, he only got 12 carries for the game and had a season low 33 yards when it was said and done.
On the other side, Union JR/SR RB Ike Irabor had a workman 121 yards on 36 carries and 2 rushing TDs. Ross Jr's big play was key, but I'd say once again the Dutchmen's MVP in a game vs. Hobart was Irabor. Special shout to out to Statesmen SO/JR LB Bryan Aguilar who stopped a lot of those runs. He led all tacklers with a game high 17.
Hobart will look back on this game (and ultimately) month with mixed emotions. While I was proud as an alumni how they played and overcame adversity Saturday, after the game it was the same narrative - penalties and minor mistakes - that lingered (basically what Cal first said to me when we met up after the game - see above).
The good news is I think we may still get to see Hobart in the post-season, as my ITH co-host Frank Rossi and I really encouraged HC Kevin DeWall '00 to look into an ECAC bowl game. We will announce the bowl bids / games again this year on Monday, November 15 after the NCAA bracket is revealed the day before.
Assuming Hobart gets to the end of the regular season at 8-2, I don't see why they wouldn't have a shot at one more game, possibly against an E8 team like Brockport (6-2, 3-1) or Utica (5-3. 2-2), who've also put in bids.
Or maybe a PAC team from Western PA like Carnegie Mellon (6-2, 6-1), Westminster (6-2, 6-1) or Washington & Jefferson (7-1, 6-1), depending on how their conference race finishes up?
It was great seeing everyone at the pregame tailgate and from the sidelines. Saturday's experience reminds me I need to get back to Geneva more often for gamedays. It's just a special environment and experience a video feed just can't convey.
I'll have more on the upcoming Senior Day / Buffalo State game a little later this week.
Thanks as always for reading and go 'Bart!
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