The Hobart College Statesmen survived a wild season opener against a tough Brockport team today. The Statesmen offense accumulated 489 total yards but the vast majority (419) came through the air as Hobart's running game struggled and the Statesmen played from behind for most of the contest.
Special teams play was an issue for the Statesmen who didn't seem prepared for a couple of fourth down pooch punts, finding themselves pinned deep in their own territory for most of the game. A punt return to the Hobart 25 set up another Brockport (0-1) score. In fact, the Golden Eagles second and third rushing TDs by SR RB Dan Andrews came from short fields. The latter came after a questionable fake punt call by Coach Cragg from his own one yard line. That failed and Brockport cashed in.
Both teams looked sloppy and the referees would flag Hobart seven times for -75 yards, including an ejection of SR OLB Mike Harper early in the game which was questioned loudly by Coach Cragg and the Statesmen sideline.
The Hobart defense struggled to contain All-American Andrews all game as he set the Brockport career rushing record while gashing the usually stout run Statesmen run defense to the tune of 184 rushing yards on 31 carries to go with a TD hat trick.
On the bright side JR QB and Co-Captain Shane Sweeney had an impressive 31 for 45 passing day that featured 75 and 39 yard TD receptions to classmate JR WR Brandon Shed. SR WRs Sean Cunningham and Jack Pfohl also caught TD passes for 20 and seven yards, respectively. The OL did a good job keeping Sweeney up right and didn't allow a sack, even with SR OL and Co-Captain Patrick O'Connell III not playing due to an undisclosed injury.
JR RB Joe Letizia would score the go ahead TD, but it was pretty clear with time running out that the Golden Eagles allowed Hobart to score in order to get the ball back with 1:29 remaining. SR PK Sean Kirshe had a good day kicking the ball but saw his final PAT blocked giving the Eagles some hope. Unfortunately for Brockport, mistakes on the final Hobart scoring drive burned their final timeouts and with a bad decision by QB Brian McKean which set up a fourth down and "forever", the Statesmen hung on to win the game.
Leading Hobart was Sweeney on offense while the defense was led by JR CB Daryl Scales and SR DE and Co-Captain James Hedger with a game high 11 tackles. Brockport was led defensively by Julius Mizro with 10 stops.
The Statesmen will take their second and longest road trip of the regular season to take on former OC and Hobart alum Kevin DeWall '00's Endicott Gulls (0-1) next Saturday.
Thanks for reading and go 'Bart!
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