We're only nine more weeks / 63 days away from the long awaited return of Hobart College Football!
Recent scrimmages aside, the Statesmen and Saxons have bided their time - over a decade - to renew this long-time Upstate NY gridiron rivalry in an official regular season game. If "my math is right", this will be the 79th contest between the two schools, dating back all the way to 1899!
While Hobart has had the Saxons' number of late (winning the past 10 games between the 1996 and 2007 seasons), you can rest assured the Statesmen will not be taking this return to action lightly. The all-time average point differential alone (+1.3 in favor of Hobart) tells you these contests have historically been very competitive.
So while we can expect an exciting Week 1 season opener,
there's still a lot to learn about this Hobart team (which I assume is still #127), especially when you consider the roster is something the Statesmen haven't seen in some time.
While I imagine the roster will be updated over the summer, there are currently 49 FY players listed (and I see a few missing names based on the spring recruiting announcements, so that could and probably will change / be updated). Obviously the NCAA eligibility extensions provided because of the pandemic are the cause, but this very well may be the "youngest" Hobart team in quite some time, if not ever.
Saxons in the Spring
Alfred ran 140 offensive plays in their two spring games and leaned slightly towards the pass by a narrow 51:49 margin. On film they are really a run-first kind of team, however, with SR RB Kevin Bragaglia getting the bulk (43+%) of the carries. Their stats are a bit misleading I think given the 46 pass attempts against Utica in the first spring game. That was mostly due to the Saxons falling behind early and having to play catch up the entire time.
SO QB Connor Englert led the Saxons offense and appears to be as much of a runner as a passer (which I jokingly refer to as a RpO type of QB). His OL needs some work (which is good news for Hobart fans) as they allowed 8 sacks in 77 drop backs (10.3%) in the two spring games.
Defensively Alfred was led in the spring by SR LB Jason Gauthier. He paced the Saxons defense with 20 tackles and 7 TFL against the Pioneers. The Saxons defense was noticeably better in the second game allowing 281 yards and only 10 points (compared to 288 yards and 30 points in the first contest. To be fair, 2 TDs and a safety came off of Alfred turnovers, so the Saxons D otherwise acquitted themselves well in this game, it was the offense and 3 turnovers that did them in).
Kickoff Times Confirmed!
The 2021 schedule has been updated to include kickoff times, including the Week 1 season opener at Alfred, which is slated for 7 PM. You can check out the other games here. Seven of the 10 games are 1 PM kicks, with Homecoming against Keystone College starting at 6 PM (meaning the lights will be on in the second half).
Elder Statesmen Return
The previously annual (and still), informal reunion / tailgate led by Hobart HOFer Tom Korn H75 is back on this fall. It coincides with the home opener vs. Morrisville State on the 20th anniversary of 9/11. I imagine there will be recognition of the latter in some form - likely leading up to kickoff - but this should be an otherwise light-hearted gathering for all. I joined this group at the Dickinson game in September of 2014 and really enjoyed getting to hear some of the stories of Colleges and games from the 70's. If you're planning on being there to see the Statesmen take on the Mustangs, stop by and say hello!
More to Come
July will be a very quiet month for news, but I'll post some if and when it comes up. In the meantime, we have a lot to look forward to and I'll have a preseason preview out in August.
Thanks for reading and go 'Bart!
