The Hobart College Statesmen come off the bye week to one last out of conference test before the Liberty League opener in Week 5.
This weekend has the added bonus of being a rare regular season night game at the "Boz" against the Keystone College Giants, who moved conferences - from the ECFC to the Landmark - over the off-season.
Keystone (1-2) has played Hobart (2-0) the past couple of seasons now. The Statesmen have had little difficulty with the Giants, winning by an average 61-10 margin. That said, Keystone is steadily improving. While they have lost two in a row (a 31-21 loss to Hartwick in Week 2 and a 35-20 loss to Saint John Fisher last weekend), they have dropped their defensive PPG allowed from 41 to 24 from 2022 to 2023.
Scouting the Giants
Last weekend FY QB Demiko Suggs actually had a statistically great game, going 15-21 for 192 yards and 1 TD. He was only sacked once by the SJF defense. So far, he's completed 61.9% of his passes (26-42) for 341 passing yards with 3 TDs and an INT on the season.
JR RB Mujaheed Muhammad is off to a good start as well, rushing for 241 yards on 55 carries. He's scored 3 rushing TDs, but interestingly has not caught a single pass out of the backfield so far this season.
Suggs has spread the ball around to 10 different receivers. His favorite targets seem to be SR WR Jorden Cook (5 receptions for 99 yards and 1 TD) and SR WR Michael Bond (7 receptions for 94 yards and 2 TDs). Cook did not play against SJF, so he may be injured and/or out for the season. In Cook's absence, JR WR Jayson Nami led the Giants with 4 catches for 58 yards but was only one of the 8 receivers who caught at least one pass last weekend.
That said Keystone is a run first offense, having attempted nearly twice as many rushes (115) as passes (63). Scoring wise, however, the Giants offense has scored the same number of passing and rushing TDs (5 each). They are +3 in turnover margin (TOM), so they are pretty good at protecting the ball. They don't struggle with penalties as badly as Hobart, averaging -61.67 YPG in penalties.
Defensively Keystone is led by SR SS CJ Riccobono with 21 tackles. SR DL Elijah Washington has good size (290 lbs.) and leads the team with 2 TFL and 1 FF/FR.
The special team's unit is led by SO PK Jeremiah Ortiz and SR LB/P Zac Cost. Ortiz has averaged 41.4 YPKO and Cost has netted about 39 YPP. In the return game, previously mentioned Bond and Nami have handled punt and KO returns, respectively. Bond has averaged just under 7 yards on PRs and Nami averages an impressive 19.5 YPKOR.
Keys to the Game:
1. Stick with What Works: Keystone is giving up 238 YPG rushing and has allowed 7 of their 11 TDs on defense to the running game. Hobart should stick to its strength, which has been averaging 261.5 YPG rushing.
2. Test the Waters: JR QB Johnny Columbi needs to start connecting with his receiving corps more, especially a week before the big Ithaca game. The Giants only have two sacks on the season, and so the OL shouldn't have much difficulty with this pass rush. I think it's important for Hobart to use this game as an opportunity to balance the offense a little more and build chemistry between Columbi and his receivers before LL play.
3. That Said, Don't Look Ahead: The Statesmen will need to stay in the moment, especially with the added bonus of this game being under the lights at the "Boz". There should be a nice crowd to support the team, especially with a good forecast for the weekend (clear and cool). While Hobart has had it's way with the Giants the last two seasons, Keystone is getting better and can make some plays if the Statesmen aren't focused. Speaking of focus, it would be great to see less than 100 yards of penalties for a week. It's time.
Prediction:
I think Hobart will lean on its strengths and have an opportunity to give a lot of players an opportunity to get into the game. I do think it'll be more competitive than the past two years, but the Statesmen should win comfortably, 42-14.
Thanks as always for reading and go 'Bart!
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