The Hobart College Statesmen go into the bye this weekend after a somewhat disappointing (3-2, 0-1) start to the 2022 season. The Statesmen have had some good and bad moments so far this season and the goal of this post will be look back on them and see what, if anything, we've learned about the team this far and what we can expect in the final 5 weeks.
While a chance to share a piece of the Liberty League title isn't completely off the table, the overall depth and strength of #12 Ithaca (4-0, 1-0) makes me think the LL will be just a single bid NCAA playoff conference. In my opinion, Hobart's best-case scenario is finishing 8-2, 5-1 and getting another ECAC Bowl game bid against a team from the PAC, just like last year.
That said the rest of October will determine if that's the case and the Statesmen have a challenging schedule after this weekend with back-to-back road trips to RPI (3-2, 1-0) and Saint Lawrence (2-2. 0-0). The Statesmen close out the month at home in a big game against Union (4-1, 1-0).
The Good
The Hobart defense - This young and inexperienced unit has been the star of the season so far. A group of young and dynamic LBs have held the Statesmen's opposition to under 14 PPG. Keep in mind that the Statesmen D only allowed one offensive TD in the first 4 weeks of the season and realistically, only allowed three offensive TDs against the Bombers.
Linebacker U - SO LBs Peterson Monexant and Anthony Romano have been fantastic and lead the team with 36 (great number) total tackles a piece to go with 11 TFL, 4 sacks and 1 INT, combined. FY LB Mike McGhee is the leading candidate for the team's ROTY award winner based on his fantastic play. He has 25 total tackles, 3 TFL and 1 sack so far this season.
Next Man Up - Several Statesmen players have made bigger contributions this season given injuries to starting players. I've noted guys like SO RB Andres Duran (2 rush TDs), SR LB Drew Walsh (3 tkl, 1 TFL vs. IC), SO WR Rane Daramola (leads team with 198 receiving yards and 2 TDs) and FY OL Ashton Mejias (now starting at LG) have stepped up and really made a difference this season.
Needs Work
The Hobart Offense - The supposed strength of the team with 9 starters returning has struggled with turnovers (3 INT, 2 fumbles returned for TDs), suspensions (2), injuries (several) and penalties so far this season. The absence of a healthy JR RB Rayshawn Boswell is a big reason for the team's offensive woes, but to be fair, this unit has scored almost 28 PPG and gained 325 YPG which is very respectable. That said the offense needs to figure out ways to extend drives, having gone 27-59 (45.76%) on third down so far this season.
The Kicking Game - With a FY and SO handling the kicking duties, you'd expect some growing pains. The Statesmen have gone 4-8 on FGs and in the IC game, Hobart averaged under 24 YPP, which was a big reason for at least one of the Bombers TD drives, given the short field.
"The Hobart Way" - The fact two important players got suspended in Week 2, all the penalties (36 for -304, over 60 YPG) and mental mistakes seen in the 2 losses this season and that alums/former players reported the team did not seem upset at all after the Ithaca game makes me think this group needs an attitude adjustment during the bye week. I know the coaches are likely all over this, but the players need to take accountability of it for themselves and drive what the "Hobart Way" really is supposed to stand for from the inside out. I have faith they can turn it around, but after these past five weeks it's clear that this team could and should be more buttoned up and focused, even with a larger number of younger and inexperienced players on the field.
Up Next
Early next week I'll have a preview of the Week 7 matchup vs. RPI. I have to imagine the Engineers are looking at this game as a chance to get back at Hobart for being the one regular season loss on their record in 2021. The goal next week is to go 1-0 and will be for the following 5 weeks. It's not impossible, but I do think Hobart will be an underdog in at least one or more of the final 5 games.
While there has been a couple of disappointments, there's still a lot of Hobart Football to look forward to this season. Enjoy the bye weekend. We'll get back on track next week.
Thanks as always for reading (less than 2K views away from 350K!) and go 'Bart!
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