While both Hobart (1-2) and Ithaca (2-1) enter this game with different records, the only one that matters is this one: 0-0. The second quarter of the 2025 season begins this Saturday as the Statesmen look to start their LL Championship title defense and break old curses.
Yes, Hobart is 0-18 all-time at Butterfield Stadium and trails Ithaca 6-31 in the series that dates back to 1961. The fact that should give Statesmen fans hope is that they broke a six-game losing streak to the Bombers last season, after going 4-3 against them between 2000-2016.
Ithaca has a 45-14 win over a team Hobart lost to, Alfred University (2-1, 0-0) in Week 1, so in theory the Bombers should be big favorites in this one. What we saw last weekend however gives me hope that this group of Statesmen have a chance to finally do what prior teams have failed to pull off - a win at Butterfield.
Scouting Ithaca:
While the Bombers stats have been inflated by a lopsided 65-3 win over Hilbert (0-3) and a bad 42-14 loss to #3 Johns Hopkins; a few things stand out. Ithaca has a fairly balanced offense, leaning towards the passing game as they've averaged 287 passing YPG compared to about 160 rushing YPG. The Bombers have scored 10 passing and seven rushing TDs. First downs (38 and 33) lean to the pass also. Defensively they've held their opponents to about 257 YPG in total offense and 19.67 PPG.
While they were no match for #3 Johns Hopkins (3-0) when I watched that game in Week 1, the Bombers have regrouped and are playing towards their strengths now.
They are led by the experienced JR QB Matthew Parker who a very accurate passer (70% completion percentage) and who's thrown for nearly 650 yards, five passing TDs and two INTs (both against JHU).
Ithaca has a "RB by Committee" program in the run game, as there are five ball carriers (including Parker) who have double digit carries over the first three games. JR QB Michael Reed scored three rushing TDs against Hilbert in relief, but it seems like SO RB Chase Myers gets the bulk of the work, leading the team with 106 rushing yards and two scores.
JR WR Nicolas Lang is the Bombers' QB's favorite target. Lang has caught 19 passes for 302 yards and three TDs. Not far behind him is SO WR Tian Murray with 13 catches for 219 yards and 1 TD.
Defensively Ithaca is led by a pair of DBs in GR DB Sam Tourangeau and SO DB Joe Spira with 22 and 20 total tackles, respectively (most of these came against JHU). The Bombers only have two sacks on the season but have given up eight to their opponents.
On special teams, JR PK Luke Savino averages just over 60 YPKO and the punting / FG duties belong to SO PK Caleb Wandell. He's averaged 41 YPP and converted 2-2 FGs with a long of 41 yards.
HC Michael Toerper has a 29-9 record since taking over the Bombers program in 2022. He's fiery on the sideline and an aggressive play-caller.
Keys to the Game:
1. Close off the Quick Strike: In the win over Alfred, Ithaca scored on 10-, five-, two-, eight-, six-, two- and nine-yard drives. The Saxons had no answer to the Bombers air attack, giving up 347 passing yards. Hobart's defense had success in limited a strong passing QB in Szalkowski from Utica last weekend by constant pressure and an array of blitzes.
2. Park Parker: Given the fact the Ithaca OL has allowed eight sacks this season (to be fair, five of them were to JHU), the Hobart defense needs to make their presence felt early in this one.
3. In Taylor We Trust: Seems pretty obvious, but if you can get JR RB E.J. Taylor to run for 100+ yards and score several TDs, you give yourself a great chance to win. Hobart's OL should have a size advantage over Ithaca's DL and LBs. They need to exploit that and if SO QB Jeremy Weiss gets the start, move him around in the pocket to give his receivers time. This is a defense Hobart can gain 300 yards against if they run it well and make a few key passes when they see the opportunities to do so.
Final Thoughts:
History is not on Hobart's side, so the Bombers will be very confident and looking to exact revenge for last year's 16-7 loss in Geneva. That win by Hobart last season is even more impressive when you factor in the Statesmen QB's went a combined 6-19 for 117 yards and 2 INTs in that game. Ithaca struggled to pass the ball also, and it was big goal-line plays (and an 86-yard punt) that led to the win.
Here's hoping the Statesmen finally get over the hump here. If there's a will, there's a way.
Thanks as always for reading and go 'Bart!
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