Statesmen Stay Ahead of Saints, 42-31, but Pass on NYS Bowl

The Hobart College Statesmen racked up 275 rushing yards, while holding the Saint Lawrence University Saints to only 52, on a cold and windy day in Canton, NY. The Statesmen (5-4, 3-2) ensured their consecutive winning season mark would stay intact (23 seasons and counting), but the Saints (2-8, 1-4) certainly kept things interesting until the bitter end.

Hobart had a chance to go up 21-0 early in the second quarter, converting a 4th and 10 from the SLU 32 yard line, with a 23 yard FY QB David Krewson to JR WR Ray Conley pass. Credit Saints SO DB Theo Blaschinski for making a head's up play, forcing a fumble at the SLU nine yard line which was recovered by FY DB Kyle Frimel.

That turnover changed the complexion of the game as the Saints found their stride, marching 89 yards for a TD and then another score on their next possession to make it a game, 14-12, with just over five minutes remaining in the first half.

The Statesmen got back on track by Krewson running and passing the ball well. He would find FY WR Javon Coleman (who's listed on the roster as FS) for his first career receiving TD, to push the lead to 21-12. The Saints would only need six plays to score once again, however, to make it 21-18, with only 1:30 remaining on the clock before the half.

The Statesmen defense would shut out the Saints in the third quarter, and SO LB Reilly Pelow forced fumble to set up the Hobart offense at the SLU 45 yard line. JR TE AJ Perlino would score on a five yard pass to push the Statesmen's lead to 28-18, a few plays later. JR RB Brian Haeffner would add to that lead, scoring his second TD of the game, before adding another for the football equivalent of the "hat trick" late in the fourth quarter. Haeffner finished the day with 195 rushing yards, a career best.

Although the Saints would rally, they never got closer than 10 points down the stretch. The Statesmen pass defense had a tough day, giving up 400 yards and five passing TDs, but they did cause three turnovers, including INTs by SO CB Jared Leake and FY FS Jay McCoy. SO PK Kyle Hackett went 6-6 on PATs, but didn't get a chance to break the FG record given the Statesmen's success in the red zone. That'll have to wait until Week 1 of the 2019 season.

The win ends one of Hobart's tougher seasons on a relatively high note, but the excuses given for not accepting the Liberty League's bid to the New York State Bowl will leave a bad taste in many Statesmen's mouths for some time. Cortland State (7-3), who lost a close 24-21 Cortaca Jug game to Ithaca (8-2), would have been happy to host the game. There was money in the budget, it's a short trip and so I honestly don't understand interim-AD Brian Miller's stance on not letting the team play the game. It really sucks, actually, especially for the SR players, many of whom were counting on getting that elusive 10th game, an extra week of practice with their teammates and one last time to suit up before they call it a career.

On a brighter note, the Statesmen's future looks good. A lot of young players gained valuable playing time and experience this season. Hopefully a better schedule and another talented recruiting class - hats off to the Class of 2022 who really stepped in and made contributions right away - will get Hobart back to the top of the LL standings, a place where RPI and Ithaca have supplanted them, for now.

Thanks to all the readers and support of the blog over this season. I'll post more Hobart Football news as it comes along.

Happy Holidays to everyone.

Thanks for reading and go 'Bart!