Hobart came off their fifth consecutive NCAA berth (including a first round victory over the Middle Atlantic Conference Champion Lycoming) another league championship and a program record-tying 9 wins in 2008. That said expectations (and the accompanying #15 pre-season national ranking) were very high to say the least.
It was clear out of the gate; however, that this year would be a “rebuilding” one for the Statesmen. Hobart would drop the season opener to a strong Dickinson team. Although the Statesmen kept it close at the half, the powerful offense of the Red Devils wore down the Hobart defense as the game wore on. Dickinson would go on to compete for the Centennial Conference title falling just short losing to eventual champion and NCAA participant John Hopkins (first round winners over Hampton-Sydney). A season ending 35-32 loss to Ursinus effectively ended the Red Devil’s NCAA hopes as an 8-2 overall record would not be enough for an at-large bid based on the NCAA’s criteria.
The 26-3 loss would be the lowest offensive point total for the Statesmen since 1993. Fortunately Hobart bounced back the following weekend with a well played 24-16 victory over Carnegie Mellon University (5-5, 1-2).
The Statesmen’s season turned for the worse against eventual league champion Susquehanna in a frustrating 20-10 loss in Selinsgrove, PA. The offense once again struggled to score points and questions arose over SO QB Doug Vella’s ability to run the Statesmen’s offense. Although considered an upset at the time, Susquehanna would end up having an 8-2 season, winning the league’s “Pool A” bid (and share of the LL championship) with a victory over Union College in the season finale.
The cure for the Statesmen’s ills would come the following week back at home in Geneva. Hobart won in resounding fashion 33-10 over Saint Lawrence behind four rushing and one passing touchdowns.
The next week was the highly anticipated show-down between Union and Hobart. The Dutchmen were the only blemish on the Statesmen’s 2008 regular season record and both teams came into the game vying for the 2009 LL title. For the first time since probably 1997 I was actually in attendance for the first half for a live Statesmen game (and had a great view from the press box thanks to my friend and “In the HuddLLe” co-host Frank Rossi who has been calling Union games for WABY since 1994).
Although Hobart controlled the line of scrimmage for most of the game and scored 21 points in the first half, the Statesmen failed to stop the deep ball and Union torched the Hobart defense on plays that covered 41 yards, 42 yards, 70 yards and 76 yards en route to a 31-21 victory. This loss would effectively end the Statesmen’s bid for a sixth consecutive NCAA bid and put Union in the driver’s seat for the LL title leading up to their season ending show down with Susquehanna. Although Union would lose their head-to-head clash with the Crusaders, the Dutchmen improved to 8-3, 6-1 on the season; including an ECAC bowl bid and victory over Hartwick, and captured a share of the LL title just a year after finishing 5-4, 4-3. With Susquehanna departing the LL for the Centennial Conference, expect Union to be a pre-season favorite to win the LL in 2010.
At the season’s midpoint the Statesmen caught fire and won their final four games by a combined 113-40, including shutting out the Merchant Marine Academy (4-6, 2-5) and RPI (5-4, 3-4). The shut out of RPI was the first over the Engineers since 2000, but was a relatively ugly offensive game. Both teams were a combined 2 for 33 on third downs and it was really the Hobart special teams (fumbled punt recovery) and defense (three interceptions) that won the game for the Statesmen.
The Hobart offense came out of its funk in the season finale rattling off 24 first half points to retain the Centennial Cup against their oldest rival, Rochester (4-6, 5-2). Although the 2009 regular season ended on a good note, there would be no post-season football for Hobart for the first time since the 2001 season. The Statesmen would have qualified were denied the opportunity to compete in an ECAC bowl game due to financial considerations cited by the HWS administration. This was an unfortunate sign of the times, but one the team and specifically the graduating 19 seniors seemed to take well given the circumstances.
Although Hobart had not lost two league games since 2001 (back when the LL was the UCAA), the Statesmen finished strong and have a lot of momentum heading into 2010. Based on my count the Statesmen will return 16 offensive, 11 defensive and 1 special teams (place kicker Conor Callahan) letter men (based on the two-deep roster at the time of the Rochester game).
QB Doug Vella now has a full season under his belt and all three of the Statesmen RB’s (Andrew Marlier, Kyle Tritton and Pat Julian) return as does the starting FB Matt Howard. The OL loses stalwarts such as Co-Captain Brian Monaco and Angelo Catalano to graduation, but Coach DeWall has a solid core group of starters in Kelvin Cruz, Brendan Hatlee and Kyle Sandy as well as Sean Kluber who was a starter until he was injured in the Susquehanna game.
The biggest gap that Hobart needs to fill is on the defensive line given the graduations of Kwame Lovell, Tony Guidetti, Mike Ardiuni, Mike Faracca and Anthony Shaw. There is also the loss of linebackers Orlando Patterson (29 tackles, 3.5 sacks, one interception and two fumble recoveries) and Co-Captain Ryan Robinson who was second on the team with 57 total tackles. No small task, but I trust Coach Cragg is hitting the recruiting trail hard this winter and we will likely see some role players such as FY DT Nick Auriemma and SO DT Dane Wilcoxen be the likely starters. Other key defensive returning letterman are leading tackler Kyle O’Laughlin (77 tackles) and third leading tackler Reggie Robinson (37). The Statesmen return most of their defensive secondary including first team all-league DB Drake Woodard (32 tackles).
Still, Hobart has a tough start to the 2010 with three out of conference games against Dickinson (8-2), @ Carnegie Mellon (5-5) and St John Fisher (7-3). Fortunately both the Dickinson and SJFC games are at the Boz (which will be upgraded to field turf among other stadium improvements prior to the 2010 season) where the Statesmen were 4-0 in 2009. For the Statesmen to make another run at the play-offs in 2009, Hobart will need to improve upon their 2-3 road record from 2009.
The LL schedule commences with Hobart traveling to Saint Lawrence, home against rival Union College, traveling to Kings Point, home against WPI, away at RPI before hosting Rochester in the season finale.
I am certainly looking forward to another year of Statesmen football. Until then, thanks for reading these posts and go ‘Bart!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Saturday, November 21, 2009
In the HuddLLe podcast at 7:30 PM ET Sunday
Tomorrow's show may be our season finale; pending the outcome of today's opening round NCAA game between the LL co-champ Susquehanna (8-2, 6-1) and MAC champ Delaware Valley (9-1, 9-0).
If Susquehanna advances, we'll preview the next week's game against the winner of the Albright-Alfred game.
We'll also review the ECAC bowls as well as have a few call in guests for the show. Hope you can tune in live (or download the 'cast after the fact).
If Susquehanna advances, we'll preview the next week's game against the winner of the Albright-Alfred game.
We'll also review the ECAC bowls as well as have a few call in guests for the show. Hope you can tune in live (or download the 'cast after the fact).
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Faracca, Marlier, Monaco, Robinson and Woodard named 1st team all-LL
The LL published their league awards today and although Hobart only received one first team nod on offense (SR Co-Capt Brian Monaco), the Statesmen did place three defenders (including SR Co-Capt Ryan Robinson and SR DT Mike Faracca) on the all-league team. JR RB Andrew Marlier was named to the first team in the kick returning/special teams category.
Not surprisingly LL champs Susquehanna (8-2, 6-1) won the majority of the individual awards including Coach of the Year Steve Briggs.
A link to the award winners can be accessed here:
http://www.libertyleaguesports.org/awards/football
Congratulations to all!
Not surprisingly LL champs Susquehanna (8-2, 6-1) won the majority of the individual awards including Coach of the Year Steve Briggs.
A link to the award winners can be accessed here:
http://www.libertyleaguesports.org/awards/football
Congratulations to all!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Play-off Previews on "In the HuddLLe"
Last night Frank Rossi and I co-hosted the LL's weekly talk-radio show at www.inthehuddlle.com.
We had a full slate of topics and guests on the show including:
1) Around the League - covering the weekend's action
2) Tim Denhany, the LL commissioner
3) Dr. Joy Solomen, AD of Rowan University and Chair of the D3 football national tournament committee (our interview with Dr. Solomen was featured on D3football.com)
4) Head Coach of Susquehanna University and LL champion Steve Briggs
5) Gordon Mann, D3football.com contributor and voice of the MAC champion Delaware Valley Aggies
6) ECAC bids and play-off predictions
It was a very interesting show that any D3 football fan would enjoy.
Thanks for listening!
We had a full slate of topics and guests on the show including:
1) Around the League - covering the weekend's action
2) Tim Denhany, the LL commissioner
3) Dr. Joy Solomen, AD of Rowan University and Chair of the D3 football national tournament committee (our interview with Dr. Solomen was featured on D3football.com)
4) Head Coach of Susquehanna University and LL champion Steve Briggs
5) Gordon Mann, D3football.com contributor and voice of the MAC champion Delaware Valley Aggies
6) ECAC bids and play-off predictions
It was a very interesting show that any D3 football fan would enjoy.
Thanks for listening!
Centennial Cup Recap
The Hobart Statesmen traveled to the University of Rochester on Saturday looking to retain the Centennial Cup.
The Statesmen wasted little time capping an 11 play, 67 yard drive with an Andrew Marlier touchdown from nine yards out with 7:54 to play in the first quarter. Hobart’s lead was short lived however as the Yellow Jackets responded behind the capable arm of back-up quarterback Kapps Killingstad. Filling in for the injured Braezen Subick, Killingstad directed the Rochester offense on an 8 play, 65 yard drive. Kapps would cap off the drive with a 7 yard touchdown pass to Adam Barrett to tie the game with 3:30 to play in the first.
The second quarter would be all Hobart as the Statesmen scored 17 unanswered points. Both touchdowns were collected by Hobart SR WR Tyler Vincent on passes from Vella covering 9 and 10 yards respectively. Conor Callahan would convert both PATs and added a chip shot 27 yard field goal as time expired in the 2nd to post the Statesmen to a 24-7 half-time lead.
The second half was more of the same for Hobart who 60 yards on 11 plays but had to settle on another short Callahan field goal. The sophomore place kicker was true on the 22 yard attempt pushing the Statesmen’s lead to 27-7 with 11:37 to play in the 3rd quarter.
Rochester didn’t give up; however, and JR RB Clarence Onyiriuka took a 4th and 1 carry from the Hobart 33 yard line to the house. Following a White-Stellato PAT, the Yellow Jackets trailed 27-14 with 9:33 to play in the quarter.
The Yellow Jackets had a chance to make it a one-possession game midway through the fourth quarter, but SR cornerback Chris Szymanski intercepted Killingstad in the end zone to quell the threat.
The Statesmen would turn the take-away into a nine-play, 80-yard scoring drive. As Hobart followers have come to expect, offensive coordinator Kevin DeWall would dip into his bag of tricks twice on the drive. The first time Vincent caught a lateral and threw a 47-yard pass to sophomore WR Garth Muratori. The second time Vincent took a toss on a reverse with the option to run or pass. He decided to throw a 6-yard strike to Vella for a touchdown with 3:18 remaining. Callahan's extra point gave Hobart a 34-14 lead.
Rochester would score one last time in the game, but it was too little too late as Hobart would eventually cover the onside kick and run out the clock to win the game 34-20.
Killingstad would finish the day 24 for 42 passing for 314 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Barrett was Killingstad’s favorite target collecting 10 passes (including two passing TDs) for 149 yards receiving. Onyiriuka had 17 carries for 92 yards and a touchdown. Linebackers Ed Dauphin and Brendan Pidgeon once again lead the Yellow Jacket defense with 9 and 7 total tackles, respectively.
Hobart’s Andrew Marlier led the Statesmen rushing attack with a game-high 98 yards. Vella finished the game 14-of-26 for 201 yards and two passing touchdowns; but the star of this game was SR Tyler Vincent. He caught nine passes for 112 yards and two receiving touchdowns and was 2-of-2 passing for 55 yards and one passing touchdown. Vincent ended his remarkable career as a Statesmen sixth on the all-time lists for receptions and receiving touchdowns and ninth on the receiving yards list, respectively.
Perhaps as a literal "passing of the torch", from Vincent to SO WR Garth Muratori, the SO WR would nearly match Vincent’s output with a 6 reception 119 yd game.
Defensively, Muratori's classmate and ILB Reggie Robinson produced a game-high 10 tackles.
With the win the Statesmen ended their 2009 campaign on a four-game winning streak. Hobart retained the Centennial Cup and improved its record to 6-3 overall and 5-2 in the LL. Rochester drops to 4-6, 4-3 in the LL.
The Statesmen wasted little time capping an 11 play, 67 yard drive with an Andrew Marlier touchdown from nine yards out with 7:54 to play in the first quarter. Hobart’s lead was short lived however as the Yellow Jackets responded behind the capable arm of back-up quarterback Kapps Killingstad. Filling in for the injured Braezen Subick, Killingstad directed the Rochester offense on an 8 play, 65 yard drive. Kapps would cap off the drive with a 7 yard touchdown pass to Adam Barrett to tie the game with 3:30 to play in the first.
The second quarter would be all Hobart as the Statesmen scored 17 unanswered points. Both touchdowns were collected by Hobart SR WR Tyler Vincent on passes from Vella covering 9 and 10 yards respectively. Conor Callahan would convert both PATs and added a chip shot 27 yard field goal as time expired in the 2nd to post the Statesmen to a 24-7 half-time lead.
The second half was more of the same for Hobart who 60 yards on 11 plays but had to settle on another short Callahan field goal. The sophomore place kicker was true on the 22 yard attempt pushing the Statesmen’s lead to 27-7 with 11:37 to play in the 3rd quarter.
Rochester didn’t give up; however, and JR RB Clarence Onyiriuka took a 4th and 1 carry from the Hobart 33 yard line to the house. Following a White-Stellato PAT, the Yellow Jackets trailed 27-14 with 9:33 to play in the quarter.
The Yellow Jackets had a chance to make it a one-possession game midway through the fourth quarter, but SR cornerback Chris Szymanski intercepted Killingstad in the end zone to quell the threat.
The Statesmen would turn the take-away into a nine-play, 80-yard scoring drive. As Hobart followers have come to expect, offensive coordinator Kevin DeWall would dip into his bag of tricks twice on the drive. The first time Vincent caught a lateral and threw a 47-yard pass to sophomore WR Garth Muratori. The second time Vincent took a toss on a reverse with the option to run or pass. He decided to throw a 6-yard strike to Vella for a touchdown with 3:18 remaining. Callahan's extra point gave Hobart a 34-14 lead.
Rochester would score one last time in the game, but it was too little too late as Hobart would eventually cover the onside kick and run out the clock to win the game 34-20.
Killingstad would finish the day 24 for 42 passing for 314 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Barrett was Killingstad’s favorite target collecting 10 passes (including two passing TDs) for 149 yards receiving. Onyiriuka had 17 carries for 92 yards and a touchdown. Linebackers Ed Dauphin and Brendan Pidgeon once again lead the Yellow Jacket defense with 9 and 7 total tackles, respectively.
Hobart’s Andrew Marlier led the Statesmen rushing attack with a game-high 98 yards. Vella finished the game 14-of-26 for 201 yards and two passing touchdowns; but the star of this game was SR Tyler Vincent. He caught nine passes for 112 yards and two receiving touchdowns and was 2-of-2 passing for 55 yards and one passing touchdown. Vincent ended his remarkable career as a Statesmen sixth on the all-time lists for receptions and receiving touchdowns and ninth on the receiving yards list, respectively.
Perhaps as a literal "passing of the torch", from Vincent to SO WR Garth Muratori, the SO WR would nearly match Vincent’s output with a 6 reception 119 yd game.
Defensively, Muratori's classmate and ILB Reggie Robinson produced a game-high 10 tackles.
With the win the Statesmen ended their 2009 campaign on a four-game winning streak. Hobart retained the Centennial Cup and improved its record to 6-3 overall and 5-2 in the LL. Rochester drops to 4-6, 4-3 in the LL.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Hobart 34 - Rochester 20
I'll do a more thorough write up soon, but the Statesmen finished up their 2009 season on a four game winning streak to end up 6-3 overall, 5-2 in the LL.
Although there will be no opportunity to compete in the ECACs, this Hobart team is full of winners, especially the Class of 2010.
These Statesmen played their final collegiate game today (thanks and congrats guys):
#5 Tyler Vincent WR/P
#7 Mike Lazore WR
#9 Zach Schultz WR
#10 Chris Szymanski CB
#11 Ryan Robinson LB (Co-Capt)
#16 Paul Overdorf WR/PK
#22 Scott Holton FS
#26 Orlando Patterson OLB
#46 Andrew Miller FB
#47 Will Schweitzer LB
#52 Tony Guidetti DE
#54 Mike Faracca DT
#59 Scott Ghiraldi LB
#61 Brian Monaco OL (Co-Capt)
#79 Angelo Catalano OL
#86 David Degan TE
#90 Kwame Lovell DE
#93 Anthony Shaw DT
#94 Mike Arduini DT
Although there will be no opportunity to compete in the ECACs, this Hobart team is full of winners, especially the Class of 2010.
These Statesmen played their final collegiate game today (thanks and congrats guys):
#5 Tyler Vincent WR/P
#7 Mike Lazore WR
#9 Zach Schultz WR
#10 Chris Szymanski CB
#11 Ryan Robinson LB (Co-Capt)
#16 Paul Overdorf WR/PK
#22 Scott Holton FS
#26 Orlando Patterson OLB
#46 Andrew Miller FB
#47 Will Schweitzer LB
#52 Tony Guidetti DE
#54 Mike Faracca DT
#59 Scott Ghiraldi LB
#61 Brian Monaco OL (Co-Capt)
#79 Angelo Catalano OL
#86 David Degan TE
#90 Kwame Lovell DE
#93 Anthony Shaw DT
#94 Mike Arduini DT
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
2009 Season Finale - Hobart vs. Rochester Preview
The Hobart Statesmen (5-3, 4-2) travel to Fauver Stadium this Saturday to face their oldest rival, the University of Rochester Yellow Jackets (4-5, 4-2). The Statesmen and Jackets face off for the 103rd time. The all-time series is deadlocked 47-47-7 between the two schools. Last season Hobart retained the Centennial Cup for the second straight season in a hard fought and muddy 10-7 victory in Geneva.
Hobart currently enjoys a five game winning streak over Rochester; the Yellow Jackets last win in the series was a 17-13 triumph back in 2003. After entering the season with the 4th most difficult schedule in DIII football, Rochester struggled to a 1-4 start. Still, aside from a lopsided loss to #9 Case Western Reserve, it should be noted that the Yellow Jackets lost games by only two, seven and three points to St. John Fisher (5-3, 3-1 and in contention for the E8 championship), Union (7-2, 6-0 and in contention for the LL championship) and Susquehanna (7-2, 5-1 also contending for the LL title); respectively. Both the Fisher (:47) and Union (:10) losses literally came with under a minute to play in each game.
Since then, Rochester has won three out of its last four games, the most recent being a 20-7 victory over Saint Lawrence (2-7, 1-5). The Yellow Jackets boast the #1 passing attack in the LL behind SO QB Braezen Subick. The SO has thrown for 1,446 yards (132-221 with 10 interceptions and 12 touchdowns) and is ranked second in the LL in pass efficiency with a 123.6 rating.
Rochester also has the #2 rusher in the LL with JR RB Clarence Onyiriuka averaging 128.1 YPG. The JR has racked up 1,153 total rushing yards on the season and only trails leading rusher SR RB Dave Paveletz from Susquehanna by only 78 yards going into the final regular season game. Onyiriuka is also a receiving threat having caught 26 balls for 248 yards and four touchdowns. This versatility has helped Onyiriuka lead the LL in all purpose yards (1401 total yards or 155.7 YPG).
Subick’s favorite target is the SR WR Mike Coolbaugh who leads the LL in receptions per game (4.89) and is fourth in total receiving yards with 513 including two touchdown catches. Another key receiver in the Rochester passing game is SR TE Pedro Sosa. He is second the team with 36 receptions for 322 yards.
In spite of all of this offense, the Jackets also bring the #1 rushing defense (120.9 yards allowed per game) and have earned an impressive +8 turnover ratio which is good for second in the LL. The Rochester defense is lead by FY LB Brendan Pidgeon (51.5 total tackles, including three TFLs, three forced fumbles and one interception) and JR LB Ed Dauphin (45.5 total tackles, including 5.5 TFL, three interceptions and seven forced fumbles).
Rochester would like nothing more than to end the season at .500 overall, as well as 5-2 in the LL; which pending the outcome of the Union-Susquehanna championship game, would be good enough to tie for second place.
Keys to the game:
1. Contain Onyiriuka – The JR RB is virtually Rochester’s entire rushing game given his average YPG is only one yard less than the Yellow Jacket’s season average (129.1). Although Rochester has a potent passing offense, the Hobart defense has improved to second in the LL allowing only 149.8 YPG and has as many interceptions as touchdowns allowed (seven).
2. Pressure Subick – The SO QB has a strong arm but is prone to make mistakes having thrown 10 interceptions over nine games played.
3. Back to basics – Hobart’s three game winning streak has been due to great defense (two shut outs) but also by the offense’s success in running the ball and controlling the clock. The Statesmen have gained 156 (RPI), 209 (WPI) and 149 (MMA) yards rushing over this time period and averaged approximately 31 minutes in TOP during these games. The key to defeating the Yellow Jackets means more of JR RB Andrew Marlier and less passing. That said Rochester is last in the LL in pass defense, allowing 216.7 YPG on average, but I think most Statesmen fans would like to see more ball control and straight ahead running plays vs. shot-gun formations and trips to the right.
4. Be special – Although often over-looked, the Hobart special teams unit leads the LL in kick-off returns (23.6 YPR), punting (33.8 YPP) and punt coverage (only five returns of only 10 yards total all season). Rochester is first in the LL in kick-off coverage, so it will be interesting to see how Hobart fares in the very important field position battle.
All considered I think each team may struggle to move the ball and it will once again be a close call for the Statesmen, but I expect Hobart to end the year on a positive note and pick the Statesmen to prevail 14–10 and hang onto the Centennial Cup.
Hobart currently enjoys a five game winning streak over Rochester; the Yellow Jackets last win in the series was a 17-13 triumph back in 2003. After entering the season with the 4th most difficult schedule in DIII football, Rochester struggled to a 1-4 start. Still, aside from a lopsided loss to #9 Case Western Reserve, it should be noted that the Yellow Jackets lost games by only two, seven and three points to St. John Fisher (5-3, 3-1 and in contention for the E8 championship), Union (7-2, 6-0 and in contention for the LL championship) and Susquehanna (7-2, 5-1 also contending for the LL title); respectively. Both the Fisher (:47) and Union (:10) losses literally came with under a minute to play in each game.
Since then, Rochester has won three out of its last four games, the most recent being a 20-7 victory over Saint Lawrence (2-7, 1-5). The Yellow Jackets boast the #1 passing attack in the LL behind SO QB Braezen Subick. The SO has thrown for 1,446 yards (132-221 with 10 interceptions and 12 touchdowns) and is ranked second in the LL in pass efficiency with a 123.6 rating.
Rochester also has the #2 rusher in the LL with JR RB Clarence Onyiriuka averaging 128.1 YPG. The JR has racked up 1,153 total rushing yards on the season and only trails leading rusher SR RB Dave Paveletz from Susquehanna by only 78 yards going into the final regular season game. Onyiriuka is also a receiving threat having caught 26 balls for 248 yards and four touchdowns. This versatility has helped Onyiriuka lead the LL in all purpose yards (1401 total yards or 155.7 YPG).
Subick’s favorite target is the SR WR Mike Coolbaugh who leads the LL in receptions per game (4.89) and is fourth in total receiving yards with 513 including two touchdown catches. Another key receiver in the Rochester passing game is SR TE Pedro Sosa. He is second the team with 36 receptions for 322 yards.
In spite of all of this offense, the Jackets also bring the #1 rushing defense (120.9 yards allowed per game) and have earned an impressive +8 turnover ratio which is good for second in the LL. The Rochester defense is lead by FY LB Brendan Pidgeon (51.5 total tackles, including three TFLs, three forced fumbles and one interception) and JR LB Ed Dauphin (45.5 total tackles, including 5.5 TFL, three interceptions and seven forced fumbles).
Rochester would like nothing more than to end the season at .500 overall, as well as 5-2 in the LL; which pending the outcome of the Union-Susquehanna championship game, would be good enough to tie for second place.
Keys to the game:
1. Contain Onyiriuka – The JR RB is virtually Rochester’s entire rushing game given his average YPG is only one yard less than the Yellow Jacket’s season average (129.1). Although Rochester has a potent passing offense, the Hobart defense has improved to second in the LL allowing only 149.8 YPG and has as many interceptions as touchdowns allowed (seven).
2. Pressure Subick – The SO QB has a strong arm but is prone to make mistakes having thrown 10 interceptions over nine games played.
3. Back to basics – Hobart’s three game winning streak has been due to great defense (two shut outs) but also by the offense’s success in running the ball and controlling the clock. The Statesmen have gained 156 (RPI), 209 (WPI) and 149 (MMA) yards rushing over this time period and averaged approximately 31 minutes in TOP during these games. The key to defeating the Yellow Jackets means more of JR RB Andrew Marlier and less passing. That said Rochester is last in the LL in pass defense, allowing 216.7 YPG on average, but I think most Statesmen fans would like to see more ball control and straight ahead running plays vs. shot-gun formations and trips to the right.
4. Be special – Although often over-looked, the Hobart special teams unit leads the LL in kick-off returns (23.6 YPR), punting (33.8 YPP) and punt coverage (only five returns of only 10 yards total all season). Rochester is first in the LL in kick-off coverage, so it will be interesting to see how Hobart fares in the very important field position battle.
All considered I think each team may struggle to move the ball and it will once again be a close call for the Statesmen, but I expect Hobart to end the year on a positive note and pick the Statesmen to prevail 14–10 and hang onto the Centennial Cup.
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