The Hobart College Statesmen ran away with their 2023 season opener in convincing fashion, outrushing their hosts, the Alfred University Saxons, by a 217-57-yard margin.
SR RB Rayshawn Boswell led Hobart (1-0) with 96 rushing yards and 2 TDs. SR RB Tim Denham, Jr. added 76 yards and 1 TD also. For those doing the math at home, this dynamic duo totaled 32 carries for 172 yards and 3 TDs. They also combined for 4 receptions for 38 yards (1/3 of Hobart's total receiving yards on the night) as well.
Those impressive numbers confirmed it was a solid debut for the new Statesmen OL (SR OL Matt Siegel at C, SR Ethan Kowalski and SO OL Ben Goodell at G and SO OLs Quinn Broggy and Ashton Meijas at OT). They got over their 1st quarter jitters of allowing one sack and getting flagged for a personal foul (the first of many on the night, but the rest were on the defense), but finished strong, helping Hobart outgain Alfred (0-1) by a 331-269 total yard margin.
JR QB Johnny Columbi started off really well and was 10-14 early in the game. He cooled off however and ended the day 13-26 for 114 passing yards and 1 INT. FY QB Tru Styles got some action late in the game, but he did not attempt a pass.
SR DB Abdoulaye Diallo added a 44-yard "scoop and score" TD for the defense. He would later be disqualified from the game however on another one of Hobart's unbelievable 10 penalties for -124 yards on the night. The Statesmen were the most penalized team in the LL last season (flagged 84 times for -711 yards) and they achieved nearly 18% of that number in this first game. To be fair, this officiating crew was flag happy - they threw 8 on Alfred for -70 yards. But still, something's got to change here. The worst part is now Diallo will need to sit out for at least the first half against Morrisville next weekend.
The Statesmen also struggled on third downs, going a mediocre 4-14, but they made up for it with nearly 35 minutes of TOP and converting 4-5 red zone trips.
JR PK Tobias Wefering went 1-2 on FGs, was a perfect 4-4 on PATs, while averaging an impressive 63 yards on KOs and 34.3 yards on 3 punts.
The Hobart defense was led by JR LB Peterson Monexant, who surprisingly didn't start the game, but still finished the night with a team high 10 total tackles. He added 1.5 TFL and sacks and forced a fumble. JR DB Chris Ntumba and SR DB Joe McCoy added 1 INT a piece.
Hobart will host SUNY-Morrisville next Saturday at Boswell Field. The Mustangs will debut tomorrow against Kean University in New Jersey.
That's it for now. It wasn't pretty, but it's still a win. I was actually pretty close on my prediction (off by 2 points), which was interesting, but probably just luck.
Hopefully the Statesmen can learn from the film and play a cleaner game against a much stronger Morrisville squad next Saturday in Geneva.
Thanks as always for reading and go 'Bart!
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