Slow Start Sinks Statesmen Against #17/19 Engineers

An early INT and multiple issues in the first half led to a 31-24 Hobart defeat today in Troy, NY. The loss drops Statesmen to 4-3, 2-1 overall on the season and moves RPI into the drivers seat for the LL title as the lone undefeated team (6-0, 2-0).

To be fair the Engineers weren't particularly dominant, other than on defense, as they struggled to score points early on against a vastly improved Statesmen defense. A punt block late in the second quarter ended up being a big difference in the game, as RPI converted that turnover for a TD with under a minute remaining before halftime.

Another quick score to open the second half had Hobart looking at a 24-3 deficit, but give the Statesmen credit, they never quit fighting back. FY QB David Krewson, who went 6-8 for 70 yards in relief, found JR WR Ray Conley for a 37-yard score to clip the Engineers lead to 24-10 late in the third quarter. Conley would score another TD from JR QB Ryan Hofmann (after a prior play was called back because of holding) to make the score 24-17 with under three minutes left.

Unfortunately the onside kick would not be able to be recovered and RPI scored quickly after a wildcat formation play by SR WR Conor Davies went for a TD with only 2:10 remaining. SR TE Matt Woods would haul in another Hofmann TD pass, with 1:18 left, to make it 31-24. Although the next onside kick was a solid attempt, RPI recovered and ran out the clock for the hard fought victory.

Hofmann finished the game 28-43 for 295 yards, 2 TDs and 2 INTs. Hobart never really was able to establish a run game against the tough RPI defense, netting 84 rush yards. SO RB Alex Milliken had 50 yards on 11 attempts. JR OLB David McCarthy finished with a game-high 15 tackles and SR FS Brandon McCloskey added nine stops (he was incorrectly referred to by the WRPI broadcasters as JR WR John DelliSanti all game).

While I do think Hobart has a great chance to continue it's season with a winning record, the loss today means they will likely miss the NCAA playoffs for the third time in four seasons. Ultimately the kinds of penalties, injuries and missed opportunities that did them in today are the story of the 2018 season.

The Statesmen will have a second bye week prior to taking on Ithaca College on Senior Day. The Bombers (5-2, 2-1) beat Rochester today, 28-3. Ithaca will face off against Saint Lawrence (2-5, 1-1), who lost to Union, 27-9, at home next Saturday.

Thanks for reading and go 'Bart!