Statesmen Survive Season Opener Scare by the Saxons, 10-7

The Hobart College Statesmen had the home crowd on the edge of their seats last Friday night, having to overcome offensive struggles, missed scoring opportunities, and enduring a couple of weather delays in order to beat Alfred University, 10-7.

Along with my recap below, you can check the HWSAthletics release and the Finger Lakes Times recap here also. 

JR LB Mike McGhee would save the day with a game winning interception and the home team would escape with a win. Hobart (1-0) went 1-8 on first down passing plays and really struggled to move the ball against a tough Saxons (0-1) defense. The Statesmen would eventually rack up 328 total yards, but scoring chances were few and far between. Hobart went 2-11 on third down and were flagged nine times for -76 yards, which didn't help.

On a more positive note, SO RB E.J. Taylor had an excellent debut as a starter, gaining a career high 159 rushing yards on a game high 19 attempts. He broke a 72-yard run at the start of the 4th quarter which finally got the Statesmen on the scoreboard thanks to a SR PK Tobias Wefering 26-yard FG to make it, 7-3 Alfred, with 11:04 remaining in the game. 

The Statesmen defense would hold Alfred on the ensuing possession, but the Saxons would return the favor, sacking SR QB Johnny Columbi for a 10-yard loss to the Statesmen 43- yard line. SR DB Chris Ntumba would recover the ball on the muffed punt return by Alfred, setting the offense back up at the Saxons 26-yard line.

Columbi would eventually call his own number and rush for the go-ahead TD with 1:52 remaining. You know the rest.

A couple of FY players had big contributions in the win as FY WR Johnny Harding would lead the team with four catches for 35 yards. FY WR Luke Hansen hauled in two passes for 40 yards as well.

SO DL Billy Brosko (a transfer from Drexel), helped the Hobart defense with seven tackles and two TFL. SR LB Jamien Bliss led the defense with eight stops and a TFL.

Up next for Hobart will be nationally ranked and defending ODAC Champions, Randolph-Macon College, who had a big 47-21 over Dickinson on Saturday. 

More on that one in the coming days. Thanks as always for reading and go 'Bart!