The Hobart College Statesmen's march to their first Liberty League championship in eight years will head to Troy, NY to take on the RPI Engineers (3-4, 1-2). RPI had a bye week in Week 8 so they will have had extra time to prepare for this big game.
The Statesmen (7-1, 4-0) have a narrow 33-32-1 all-time series lead over the Engineers, making this Saturday's 3 PM kickoff the 67th game in this rivalry that dates back to 1910. Last season Hobart came back from being down 14-10 at the half and 21-10 in the third quarter, to beat RPI, 31-21.
Scouting the Engineers
While looking at their seasons to date and relative trajectories, one could assume Hobart is a big favorite to win this weekend. A closer look shows that the Statesmen haven't beaten RPI in Troy in their last three visits, and the last win was 10 years ago, during the historic 2014 season. Hobart is 15-19 all-time on the road vs. the Engineers, so they can't take this team lightly. RPI has played a tough schedule, including games against two nationally ranked teams, so they are accustomed to big games.
Leading the Engineers offense is an experienced but mistake prone SR QB in Jake Kazanowsky. He has passed for a LL-leading 1,307 yards but also a LL-worst, eight INTs. At their core, RPI is a run-first offense, and features three RBs - SO RB Kayden White, SR RB Dameon Ming, and SR RB Cristian Buckley - that have over 30+ carries on the season who've average 3.1-5.8 YPR. This triumvirate has gained a total of 532 rushing yards together and scored nine of RPI's 13 rushing TDs.
The Engineers most dangerous offensive weapon however is JR WR Hayden Faraday. Having seen him in person in Week 1, Faraday is able to stretch defenses with his route running and quickness. He has collected 37 passes for 467 yards and two TDs. SR WR Sean Kelly is more of a possession receiver and leads the team with 43 catches for 414 yards and one TD.
Defensively RPI ranks just behind Hobart in rushing defense, allowing only 106.1 rush YPG and only five rushing TDs on the season. SR LB Anthony D'Agostino leads the Engineers with 54 total tackles. On the DL, RPI is led by SR DL Nate Sicard (pictured above) with six TFL and two sacks.
On special teams, the Engineers mostly rely on JR PK Aleksandar Maric, who handles FGs (5-8, long of 31) and KOs (57.8 YPKO average). Punting duties have primarily been handled by JR PK Anderson Burke. He's averaged nearly 38 YPP with a long of 52. In the return game, Kelly and JR DB Cassius Johnson have taken the most reps, with respectable (6.8 YPPR and 28.82 YPKOR) results.
Keys to the Game:
1. Establish (and stop) the Run: In RPI's four losses this season, they gave up 182, 88, 147, and 171 rushing yards, while being held to 55, 85, 43 and 22. Making the game one dimensional will help Hobart, who has the best pass defense in the LL, force the Engineers to be one dimensional.
2. Turnovers - See above. Hobart can take the Engineers out of this game early on if they can pressure Kazanowsky and force him into making more mistakes. RPI's OL has allowed the most sacks in the LL this season (19), so the Statesmen's pass rush should do well. To their credit, RPI leads the LL in passing YPG with 213.7, but they've thrown more INTs than passing TDs so far this season.
3. Big Play Faraday - The Statesmen defense will need to keep an eye on WR/SB Hayden Faraday. He goes into motion a lot and has gotten large gains because of his speed. He leads the LL in receiving YPG with 66.7, which isn't a lot, but his 12.62 YPR average shows you that he is basically good for a first down every time he catches the football and with a long of 64 yards, can beat you deep if you're not ready.
Prediction:
Hobart has one of the best defenses in the nation, and that will be on display again at the ECAV Saturday. I think the Statesmen can pitch another shutout potentially, but RPI hasn't been shutout since Week 1 and is averaging 22.57 PPG on offense. I think the Engineers may be able to get a TD at home, but not more than one. I'll take the Statesmen to win, 27-6 (which is basically our average points scored and allowed per game after 8 weeks of play).
Thanks for reading and go 'Bart!
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