The Hobart College Statesmen committed three turnovers in a surprising 10-6 loss to Utica in the ECAC Clayton Chapman Bowl yesterday in Geneva. It was Hobart's first home defeat to a team not named Ithaca in over five seasons and second ECAC bowl loss in two years.
You can read the HWSAthletics.com recap here.
The Statesmen (8-3, 4-2) got away from their strengths, which has been establishing and stopping the run. A relatively modest Utica (9-2, 4-2) rushing attack coming into this game managed to outgain Hobart by a 183-101-yard margin. The Statesmen attempted more passes (27) than rushing attempts (25) and threw two interceptions.
The first half saw Hobart take 17 plays and nearly eight minutes to get to the Pioneers six-yard line. The Statesmen had to settle for a short JR PK Tobias Wefering FG and took an early 3-0 lead. Utica would follow suit, driving 14 plays in almost seven minutes to counter with their own FG to tie it, 3-3.
Hobart would fumble and throw an INT on their next two possessions, but a bad Pioneers punt would give the Statesmen a 6-3 halftime lead as a short field with 95 seconds was enough time to get Wefering's second FG, a 40-yarder, of the day.
The second half saw more of the same as both teams struggled to move the ball and punted twice in the third quarter. Utica ultimately won the field position battle however and forced a Hobart drive to stall at the Statesmen 15-yard line. While Wefering got off a nice 47-yard punt, the Pioneers would drive 62 yards for the go-ahead score, capping a 7-play drive with a one-yard SR QB/FB Sam Florio TD rush.
Although Hobart would try to come back, the Statesmen threw a second INT on the ensuing drive. While the defense bent, they stuffed Utica at the Statesmen one-yard line. The offense had another chance, albeit pinned inside the shadow of their own goal line.
Hobart could only manage to get to the 11 when they were forced to punt and Utica was able to hold on to the ball and burn out the clock, winning the game and the celebrating on the Statesmen's home field. Pioneer GR LB Anthony Fasano was named the bowl game's Most Outstanding Player, tallying seven tackles, 2 TFL and 1 FF.
Utica QB Brett Fuller went 17-24 for 135 yards in an efficient game. Hobart only sacked him once. In his final game as a Statesmen, SR RB Rayshawn Boswell passed for 65 yards, rushed for 31 and caught seven passes for 74 yards.
While I wasn't able to watch the game in its entirety, I have to say I'm a little surprised Boswell attempted four passes (one which was intercepted) in the game. Needless to say, this one will sting over the off-season and doesn't help Hobart on the recruiting front to lose in this fashion as a home favorite. Three other LL teams got wins on Saturday and two advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAAs.
I'll have a season recap after the Thanksgiving holiday. Wishing the best to all of you and your families this holiday week.
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