The Hobart College Statesmen will need to regroup as they embark on their longest road trip of the 2022 season (about 177 miles) to take on the Saint Lawrence University Saints. The Saints (2-4, 0-2) have also struggled this season, with their only two wins coming against teams from VT. They made things interesting, holding Ithaca (6-0, 3-0) to only nine points in the first half of last weekend's game, before falling, 40-0. SLU has been outscored a combined 84-7 in their two LL games this season.
Last year, Hobart trailed the Saints, 13-10, with under 3 minutes to go. The Statesmen needed a SR WR Alex LaBella 6-yard TD reception to save the day with 45 seconds remaining. The Statesmen won that game, 17-13, and have won 10 in a row against SLU, dating back to 2010. Hobart is 54-36-2 all time vs. SLU, making this game the 93rd edition of this series.
Scouting the Saints
SLU is either near or at the bottom of most LL offensive categories, including PPG (14.33), YPG (258.3) and TDs scored (10). One bright spot for the Saints has been SR RB Peyton Schmitt. A big, physical runner (6' 220 lbs.), Schmitt leads the Saints with 390 rushing yards to go with 3 TDs.
SO QB Daniel Lawther, who came into the game to replace the Saints injured starter in last season's game against the Statesmen, is back and has passed for 847 yards this season, with four passing TDs, compared to 5 INTs. His favorite target has been SR WR TJ Cornacchia, who leads the Saints with 22 catches for 248 yards and 3 TDs.
Defensively you can tell SLU has struggled given three of their top four tacklers are DBs. The Saints have allowed 25.5 PPG and 354.4 YPG to go with 20 TDs.
On special teams, FY PK Tyler Fogler handles KOs and FG duties, averaging 55 YPKO and going 3-4 on FG attempts. His only miss was in the 40-49-yard range, otherwise he's been pretty automatic. SR WR Tyler Liddy has been the punter, averaging over 35 YPP, with 7 FCs.
Keys to the Game:
1. Fundamentals - The Hobart offense, which was supposed to be the strength of the team this season, due to injuries and other issues, just hasn't really pulled together a complete game since the Week 4 blowout of Keystone (who finally won their first game in program history last weekend). The Saints allow over 5 yards rushing and nearly 8 yards passing per play on defense. The Statesmen need to button up their OL play (e.g., no more personal foul penalties would be great. Why this still happens with no accountability - from an outside perspective anyway - has been one of the most frustrating things about this program dating back to 2019). To be fair, the RBs need to hit the holes the OL are opening up. Last weekend I saw a lot of plays where the Hobart RBs bounced outside when they should have gone "north". In the passing game, I think the Statesmen need to utilize play action, as the Saints will be preparing for the run. I'd like to see SR QB David Krewson stay in the pocket, look off DBs and let plays develop. Pressure last weekend didn't allow that and rushed several throws. Fortunately, SLU has only four sacks over six games, so Krewson should have time.
2. Field Position - While the weather this weekend actually looks pretty nice, the wind and real grass of Leckonby Field (one of the very few remaining of its kind) could impact the game like we saw last Saturday. FY PK Vicente Lyon and SO PK Tobias Wefering each had excellent games against RPI, rebounding well from the IC game in Week 5. While I don't think Hobart will need to settle for FGs in this one, punting and field position could very easily play a role in the outcome of this one.
3. Focus on 1-0: Unfortunately, the Statesmen need to win this game to at least ensure another winning season (Hobart hasn't finished below .500 since 1995). While Rochester (2-4, 1-2) seems improved, wins against them and Buffalo State (0-6, 0-3) seem likely. The difference between 5-5 and 7-3 starts Saturday.
Prediction:
I think this game will start off lower scoring, but Hobart will take some shots and pull away late. I'll take the Statesmen to win it, 35-17.
Thanks as always for reading and go 'Bart!
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