The #24 ranked Hobart Statesmen (6-0, 4-0) will look to clinch the 2011 Liberty League Championship this Saturday at Senior Day in Geneva against the RPI Engineers (3-4, 2-2). The following seniors will play their final (regular season) home game at Boswell Field:
#1 CB Drake Woodard (team co-captain)
#11 LB Reggie Robinson
#15 QB Will Connery
#20 TE Greg Clifford (team co-captain)
#32 CB Jeff Hummel
#42 LB Bobby Marraffa
#51 DE Kevin Ryan
#54 OL Kyle Sandy
#59 OLB Gerard Tully
#62 OL Jarrid Blades
#64 OL Kelvin Cruz
#65 OL Brendan Hatlee
#74 OL Anthony Coletta
#75 DE Dane Wilcoxen
#80 WR Garth Muratori (team co-captain)
#87 TE Matt Marsh
#92 DL Gianni Contro
Last season RPI edged Hobart on a 34 yard field goal to claim a 24-21 victory in Troy, NY. The Engineers hold a one game advantage (27-26-1) in the all time series which dates all the way back to 1910.
RPI is lead by their JR QB Mike Hermann who leads the LL in total offense, averaging 290.1 YPG, and scoring (10.6 PPG average). Hermann is a big (6’ 6” 240 lb) guy who has passed for 1525 yards and 11 TDs compared to eight INTs. Overall the JR QB is averaging 217.9 YPG which ranks second in the LL. The South Carolina native is also a threat to run and has accounted for 506 rushing yards (good for fifth in the LL with a 72.3 YPG average) and has scored the most rushing TDs (12) of any player in the conference.
Hermann’s top targets are JR WR Austin Caswell (37 receptions for 521 yards and five TDs), JR WR Steven Burpoe (20 catches for 248 yards) and JR WR Nick Weber (23 receptions for 286 yards and one TD). Complimenting Hermann in the rushing game is SR RB T.J. Strunk who has rushed 68 times for 310 yards and two TDs.
On defense the Engineers are undersized up front, but have four of the top 20 tacklers in the league with JR LB Matthew Day (56 total tackles), SO LB Zac Borrelli (45), SR DB Zach Scruggs (51) and SR OLB Ray Pasco (43). Still, this unit ranks sixth in scoring and total defense, giving up 30 points per game on average and 397.7 YPG, respectively. RPI also has the league’s worst red zone defense, having allowed 23 of 27 tries, including 20 TDs and three FGs.
Keys to the Game:
1. Contain Hermann – Last season Hermann passed for 181 yards and one TD against the Statesmen defense but really won the game on the final possession, driving RPI to the Hobart 16 yard line to set up the game winning FG in the final minute. To say the Engineer offense revolves around the JR QB is an understatement and the Statesmen defense will need to assign a spy on him at all times given his ability to run. I expect Coach Yoder to bring a lot of pressure to disrupt Hermann’s rhythm. I imagine both FY DE Tyre Coleman – who won his fourth LL Rookie of the Week award (and pretty much seems to have the Rookie of the Year locked up) and SO OLB Devin Worthington (last year's LL ROY) will be rushing and adding to their QB sack totals in this game.
2. Go airborne – RPI has the sixth rated pass defense, giving up 219.4 YPG. They were torched last weekend by Union to the tune of 335 yards and five TDs. Although JR QB Nick Strang endured his worst career passing game last week in the snow against WPI, I look for him to rebound at home and attack the RPI secondary with relish. One milestone that should occur on Saturday is SR WR Garth Muratori moving up in the all-time receptions (needs two more catches to move past #9 Luke Gutelius ’98), receiving yards (needs 14 more yards to pass #6 Nico Karagosian ’97) and TDs (needs one more TD to tie #5 Nate Waye ‘95 with 17).
3. Special teams – Although Hobart has enjoyed the luxury of winning their games by over 20 points, it would serve them well to improve their kicking game as the playoffs approach. The Statesmen rank sixth in the conference in punting (29.2 YPP net), FGs (one of two made) and PATs (.844). One way to slow down Hermann is to pin him and the RPI offense deep onto their side of the field. While the Hobart defense is formidable enough to force its fair share of three and outs, if the offense sputters like they did last week against WPI in the second half, this unit needs to be called out and asked to step up.
Prediction:
I think Hobart’s OL has a clear advantage (not to mention it's virtually an all SR group playing their final home game at the Boz - well, hopefully not given the playoff possibilities) over the RPI DL and will exploit it early and often in this game. Strang should bounce back from a bad game last week but worse case, we may see more carries given to the running and full backs like we did against WPI
That said I’ll take Hobart to win on Senior Day by a score of 35-14. Kickoff is at noon (ET). Go 'Bart!
Monday, October 31, 2011
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Hobart now at #24 in the D3football.com National Poll
Hobart moved up one spot, to #24, on this weekend's D3football.com poll.
Hobart (6-0, 4-0) has the opportunity to clinch their first LL championship and NCAA playoff bid since 2008 with a win this weekend against conference rival RPI (3-4, 2-2).
More on this game and the prospects on an unbeaten season, tomorrow. Tonight tune into www.InTheHuddLLe.com to hear from Hobart's unsung heroes, the linemen, at 7:30 PM ET.
Hobart (6-0, 4-0) has the opportunity to clinch their first LL championship and NCAA playoff bid since 2008 with a win this weekend against conference rival RPI (3-4, 2-2).
More on this game and the prospects on an unbeaten season, tomorrow. Tonight tune into www.InTheHuddLLe.com to hear from Hobart's unsung heroes, the linemen, at 7:30 PM ET.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
#25 Hobart overcomes sloppy, turnover riddled game to outlast WPI, 27-13
The #25 ranked Hobart Statesmen traveled east down Interstate 90 to face off against the WPI Engineers at Alumni Field in Worcester, Massachusetts. The Statesmen made an opening statement on the first play of the game when SO OLB Devin Worthington caused WPI SO QB Johnny Antonopolous to fumble, giving JR QB Nick Strang and the Hobart offense the ball at the WPI 14 yard line. Four plays later, SO RB Steven Webb punched in a short TD run to post the Statesmen to an early 7-0 lead after the JR PK Stephen Bruening point after was good.
WPI's miscues would continue on the ensuing possession, as a bad punt snap set up Hobart on the WPI 18. After a short Strang to JR WR Junior Woodard completion, the Statesmen offensive line opened a huge hole on second down allowing FY FB Dominque Ellis to rumble 17 yards untouched into the end zone for his first collegiate TD. The Bruening point after was good, and Hobart enjoyed a 14-0 lead in less than five minutes into the game.
The Engineer's luck would change however, as the WPI defense would hold the Statesmen to a three and out, then see Engineer CB William Alves block a SO P Yosh Karbonwiczak punt on fourth down. WPI would drive into the Hobart red zone, capping the possession with a five yard SR RB Ernie Mello rushing TD. After the SR PK Cody Beckel kick was good, the Engineers cut the Hobart lead to 14-7 with 6:27 to play in the first.
The Statesmen offense would get back on track on their next drive, taking advantage of a 33 yard Webb run to set up SR WR Garth Muratori's sixth TD catch of the season from 20 yards out. The point after hit the upright, giving Hobart a 20-7 advantage with 4:32 in the first.
The teams would exchange four turnovers on ensuing possessions; the last leading to a Worthington 43 yard fumble recovery return to the WPI 12 yard line. JR RB Bobby Dougherty would score on the next play, giving Hobart a 27-7 lead after the Bruening kick was good.
WPI could continue to fight back however, with converted SR RB Manny Chambra picking off a Strang pass that hung up in the wind on what otherwise would be a touchdown to Woodard. The Engineers also took advantage of defensive coverage break down which would lead to an Antonopolous to Trevor Dunne 29 yard TD with 5:24 to play in the second quarter. The Engineer point after failed giving Hobart a 27-13 advantage. That score would hold until the halftime as Chambra picked off Strang a second time, thwarting another Hobart scoring drive with about a minute to play in the first half.
The second half saw more struggles by the offenses as the pending snow storm and snow fall picked up considerably. After trading punts and/or failed fourth down conversions, Coach Robertson took a page from the Cragg playbook, converting a successful fake punt near the end of the third quarter. Dunne rushed for 34 yards on the fake, ending up at the Hobart 30 yard line. The Statesmen dodged a bullet however, forcing the fifth WPI fumble of the game and recovering it on their own 9 yard line.
By the fourth quarter the snow was coming down hard and the defenses continued to dominate the game. Ultimately the Statesmen benefited from poor clock management by WPI, and Hobart ran out the time remaining in the game to hang on to a 27-13 win.
Hobart was lead by their OL which paved the way for 249 rushing yards for the trio of Webb (88 yards on 14 carries), Dougherty (83 yards on 18 carries) and Ellis (60 yards on eight carries) for three TDs. Strang endured his worst game in his career only managing 52 yards, going six of 16 passing with a TD and three INTs. Worthington and FY DE Tyre Coleman lead the defensive rush with nine and seven tackles a piece, including a total of eight tackles for a loss and three sacks.
WPI was lead by Ernie Mello with 119 rushing yards on 25 carries and one TD. Antonopolous threw for 118 yards and one TD. Tom Thackery and Yussein Hatim lead the Engineers with 10 and nine tackles a piece. Manny Chambra contributed on both sides of the ball, catching six passes for 43 yards, while adding two tackles and two INTs. SR DB John Perron also added an INT and two tackles.
With the win Hobart improves to 6-0, 4-0 in the league and will have the opportunity to clinch the LL championship, next weekend at home vs. RPI (3-4, 2-2) or in the season finale vs. Rochester (3-4, 2-2).
With the loss WPI falls to 2-6, 1-4 and will be idle next weekend, before hosting Saint Lawrence in the season finale on November 12th.
WPI's miscues would continue on the ensuing possession, as a bad punt snap set up Hobart on the WPI 18. After a short Strang to JR WR Junior Woodard completion, the Statesmen offensive line opened a huge hole on second down allowing FY FB Dominque Ellis to rumble 17 yards untouched into the end zone for his first collegiate TD. The Bruening point after was good, and Hobart enjoyed a 14-0 lead in less than five minutes into the game.
The Engineer's luck would change however, as the WPI defense would hold the Statesmen to a three and out, then see Engineer CB William Alves block a SO P Yosh Karbonwiczak punt on fourth down. WPI would drive into the Hobart red zone, capping the possession with a five yard SR RB Ernie Mello rushing TD. After the SR PK Cody Beckel kick was good, the Engineers cut the Hobart lead to 14-7 with 6:27 to play in the first.
The Statesmen offense would get back on track on their next drive, taking advantage of a 33 yard Webb run to set up SR WR Garth Muratori's sixth TD catch of the season from 20 yards out. The point after hit the upright, giving Hobart a 20-7 advantage with 4:32 in the first.
The teams would exchange four turnovers on ensuing possessions; the last leading to a Worthington 43 yard fumble recovery return to the WPI 12 yard line. JR RB Bobby Dougherty would score on the next play, giving Hobart a 27-7 lead after the Bruening kick was good.
WPI could continue to fight back however, with converted SR RB Manny Chambra picking off a Strang pass that hung up in the wind on what otherwise would be a touchdown to Woodard. The Engineers also took advantage of defensive coverage break down which would lead to an Antonopolous to Trevor Dunne 29 yard TD with 5:24 to play in the second quarter. The Engineer point after failed giving Hobart a 27-13 advantage. That score would hold until the halftime as Chambra picked off Strang a second time, thwarting another Hobart scoring drive with about a minute to play in the first half.
The second half saw more struggles by the offenses as the pending snow storm and snow fall picked up considerably. After trading punts and/or failed fourth down conversions, Coach Robertson took a page from the Cragg playbook, converting a successful fake punt near the end of the third quarter. Dunne rushed for 34 yards on the fake, ending up at the Hobart 30 yard line. The Statesmen dodged a bullet however, forcing the fifth WPI fumble of the game and recovering it on their own 9 yard line.
By the fourth quarter the snow was coming down hard and the defenses continued to dominate the game. Ultimately the Statesmen benefited from poor clock management by WPI, and Hobart ran out the time remaining in the game to hang on to a 27-13 win.
Hobart was lead by their OL which paved the way for 249 rushing yards for the trio of Webb (88 yards on 14 carries), Dougherty (83 yards on 18 carries) and Ellis (60 yards on eight carries) for three TDs. Strang endured his worst game in his career only managing 52 yards, going six of 16 passing with a TD and three INTs. Worthington and FY DE Tyre Coleman lead the defensive rush with nine and seven tackles a piece, including a total of eight tackles for a loss and three sacks.
WPI was lead by Ernie Mello with 119 rushing yards on 25 carries and one TD. Antonopolous threw for 118 yards and one TD. Tom Thackery and Yussein Hatim lead the Engineers with 10 and nine tackles a piece. Manny Chambra contributed on both sides of the ball, catching six passes for 43 yards, while adding two tackles and two INTs. SR DB John Perron also added an INT and two tackles.
With the win Hobart improves to 6-0, 4-0 in the league and will have the opportunity to clinch the LL championship, next weekend at home vs. RPI (3-4, 2-2) or in the season finale vs. Rochester (3-4, 2-2).
With the loss WPI falls to 2-6, 1-4 and will be idle next weekend, before hosting Saint Lawrence in the season finale on November 12th.
Monday, October 24, 2011
WPI Game Preview
The #25 ranked Hobart Statesmen (5-0, 3-0) will embark on their longest road trip of the season, traveling down I-90 320+ miles to Worcester, MA to take on the WPI Engineers (2-5, 1-3) Saturday at Alumni Stadium.
The Engineers are lead by SR RB Ernie Mello who is ranked 2nd the Liberty League in rushing with a 103.4 YPG average. Mello is also tied for first in the LL in rushing TDs with 10. SO QB Johnny Antonopoulos (who actually got his first career start last season against the Statesmen) is sixth in the LL averaging 113.4 passing YPG. The SO QB has thrown for eight passing TDs compared to six INTs. Antonopoulos' favorite target is SR WR Nick Bean who has 30 receptions for 400 yards and four TDs. Overall the WPI offense averages over 300 YPG.
On defense the Engineers are lead by SR DL Peter Gill with 46 total tackles including seven tackles for loss and five sacks. SR DB John Perron leads the team with four INTs to go along with seven passes defended and three break ups. That said the WPI "D" has struggled against the run, allowing 181 YPG on average to their opponents.
Special teams is an area of strength for the Engineers as they lead the LL in kickoff returns behind SR RB Manny Chambra. SR PK Cody Beckel is also a solid contributor, converting 20 of 22 PAT's and three of five FGs (one was blocked). He also averages over 50 yards per kickoff.
Keys to the game:
1. Avoid the "trap game" - RPI (3-3, 2-1) is the only other LL team in control of its destiny and the Statesmen could be looking for some payback after dropping a heart-breaking 24-21 decision to the Engineers of Troy, NY last season. If RPI beats Union this weekend, November 5th game at Boswell Field vs. the RPI Engineers would basically be for the conference championship. While Hobart has never lost to the WPI Engineers in their seven game series, the Statesmen need to stay focused and not get too overconfident and overlook a scrappy WPI club.
2. Mellow Mello - The WPI SR RB is the key to the Engineer offense and slowing him down should be the focus in securing a Hobart victory. The Statesmen rush defense should be up to the task, having completely shut down the Mariner's #1 rushing attack last weekend at Homecoming. WPI is last in LL in sacks allowed so I expect another big game for FY DE Tyre Coleman and the Hobart defensive ends and outside linebackers.
3. Play to win - Seems self explanatory but WPI really has nothing to lose after a tough season that hasn't gone their way. They are on a three game skid having lost games by a TD or less in each instance so this game is effectively their season's "Super Bowl". I expect Coach Robertson to bring a lot of defensive pressure. That said this should open up the Hobart passing game with SR WR Garth Muratori and JR WR Junior Woodard likely in man coverage. Then again, Hobart did score four rushing TDs against WPI last season, so perhaps we'll see more of SO RB Steven Webb, JR RB Bobby Dougherty and company?
Prediction:
I like Hobart to move to 6-0, 4-0 and one game away from clinching the LL championship beating WPI in convincing, say 42-17, fashion.
The Engineers are lead by SR RB Ernie Mello who is ranked 2nd the Liberty League in rushing with a 103.4 YPG average. Mello is also tied for first in the LL in rushing TDs with 10. SO QB Johnny Antonopoulos (who actually got his first career start last season against the Statesmen) is sixth in the LL averaging 113.4 passing YPG. The SO QB has thrown for eight passing TDs compared to six INTs. Antonopoulos' favorite target is SR WR Nick Bean who has 30 receptions for 400 yards and four TDs. Overall the WPI offense averages over 300 YPG.
On defense the Engineers are lead by SR DL Peter Gill with 46 total tackles including seven tackles for loss and five sacks. SR DB John Perron leads the team with four INTs to go along with seven passes defended and three break ups. That said the WPI "D" has struggled against the run, allowing 181 YPG on average to their opponents.
Special teams is an area of strength for the Engineers as they lead the LL in kickoff returns behind SR RB Manny Chambra. SR PK Cody Beckel is also a solid contributor, converting 20 of 22 PAT's and three of five FGs (one was blocked). He also averages over 50 yards per kickoff.
Keys to the game:
1. Avoid the "trap game" - RPI (3-3, 2-1) is the only other LL team in control of its destiny and the Statesmen could be looking for some payback after dropping a heart-breaking 24-21 decision to the Engineers of Troy, NY last season. If RPI beats Union this weekend, November 5th game at Boswell Field vs. the RPI Engineers would basically be for the conference championship. While Hobart has never lost to the WPI Engineers in their seven game series, the Statesmen need to stay focused and not get too overconfident and overlook a scrappy WPI club.
2. Mellow Mello - The WPI SR RB is the key to the Engineer offense and slowing him down should be the focus in securing a Hobart victory. The Statesmen rush defense should be up to the task, having completely shut down the Mariner's #1 rushing attack last weekend at Homecoming. WPI is last in LL in sacks allowed so I expect another big game for FY DE Tyre Coleman and the Hobart defensive ends and outside linebackers.
3. Play to win - Seems self explanatory but WPI really has nothing to lose after a tough season that hasn't gone their way. They are on a three game skid having lost games by a TD or less in each instance so this game is effectively their season's "Super Bowl". I expect Coach Robertson to bring a lot of defensive pressure. That said this should open up the Hobart passing game with SR WR Garth Muratori and JR WR Junior Woodard likely in man coverage. Then again, Hobart did score four rushing TDs against WPI last season, so perhaps we'll see more of SO RB Steven Webb, JR RB Bobby Dougherty and company?
Prediction:
I like Hobart to move to 6-0, 4-0 and one game away from clinching the LL championship beating WPI in convincing, say 42-17, fashion.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Hobart overwhelms Merchant Marine 42-14 for Homecoming
The United States Merchant Marine Academy travelled to Geneva, NY looking for their first win over the #25 ranked Hobart Statesmen since joining the Liberty League in 2004. The Statesmen held home court at the "Boz" for their Homecoming and Family Weekend festivities as well the SR OL Jarrid Blades inspired Touchdowns & Tackles for Happiness House fund raiser.
The Statesmen took their first two drives into Mariner territory but the Merchant Marine defense caused Hobart to turn over the ball on downs and benefited from a 25 yard JR PK Stephen Bruening field goal attempt which hooked wide left (there was no word on why SO PK Reyes Guevara did not play but he appears to be off the Hobart roster)?
Hobart's tough luck would change after the Mariner's third possession ended on when the Mariner's Richard Grennan mishandled a punt snap and SR CB and co-captain Drake Woodard recovered it in the end zone for six. The Bruening point after would be good posting the Statesmen to a 7-0 lead with 52 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
The second frame saw the Hobart offense finally hit it's stride, scoring 21 points behind JR RB Bobby Doughtery and JR QB Nick Strang three yard TD runs, and on JR WR Junior Woodard's 36 yard catch and run for a TD which pushed the Statesmen's lead to 28-0 with 4:12 to play in the first half.
Hobart added a SR WR Garth Muratori eight yard receiving touchdown, the senior co-captain having earned his 100th career reception earlier in the game, to push the lead to 35-0 after Bruening's point after with 18 seconds to play in the first half. Garth only needs a couple of catches to pass my buddy Luke Gutelius '98 for ninth place on the all time receptions list.
The Statesmen outgained the Mariners 301 to 45 yards in the first half and added a sixth TD in the game when backup JR QB Kelly Olney found FY TE Mike Berkowitz for a three yard reception with 14:09 to play in the fourth quarter. The game well in hand, the Statesmen reserves allowed two late Mariner TDs - a 20 yard Alex Coviello run and a 37 yard Chase Dunn reception.
Hobart was lead by Strang who passed for 226 yards and two passing TDs as well as 30 yards rushing and one rushing TD. Muratori was Strang's favorite target, catching four balls for 57 yards and a TD.
On defense the Statesmen were lead by SR LB Reggie Robinson with 14 tackles, including one sack and two and a half tackles for a loss.
Merchant Marine was lead by JR QB Alex Coviello who threw for 120 yards and one touchdown as well as 105 yards rushing and a score. SR LB Kevin Stapf lead the Mariner defense with 12 tackles.
With the win Hobart improves to 5-0, 3-0 in the Liberty League and will travel to Worcester, Mass next weekend to take on the WPI Engineers.
The Mariners drop to 2-6, 1-3 in the league, and after a bye week will travel to Schenectady to play Union College Saturday, November 5th.
The Statesmen took their first two drives into Mariner territory but the Merchant Marine defense caused Hobart to turn over the ball on downs and benefited from a 25 yard JR PK Stephen Bruening field goal attempt which hooked wide left (there was no word on why SO PK Reyes Guevara did not play but he appears to be off the Hobart roster)?
Hobart's tough luck would change after the Mariner's third possession ended on when the Mariner's Richard Grennan mishandled a punt snap and SR CB and co-captain Drake Woodard recovered it in the end zone for six. The Bruening point after would be good posting the Statesmen to a 7-0 lead with 52 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
The second frame saw the Hobart offense finally hit it's stride, scoring 21 points behind JR RB Bobby Doughtery and JR QB Nick Strang three yard TD runs, and on JR WR Junior Woodard's 36 yard catch and run for a TD which pushed the Statesmen's lead to 28-0 with 4:12 to play in the first half.
Hobart added a SR WR Garth Muratori eight yard receiving touchdown, the senior co-captain having earned his 100th career reception earlier in the game, to push the lead to 35-0 after Bruening's point after with 18 seconds to play in the first half. Garth only needs a couple of catches to pass my buddy Luke Gutelius '98 for ninth place on the all time receptions list.
The Statesmen outgained the Mariners 301 to 45 yards in the first half and added a sixth TD in the game when backup JR QB Kelly Olney found FY TE Mike Berkowitz for a three yard reception with 14:09 to play in the fourth quarter. The game well in hand, the Statesmen reserves allowed two late Mariner TDs - a 20 yard Alex Coviello run and a 37 yard Chase Dunn reception.
Hobart was lead by Strang who passed for 226 yards and two passing TDs as well as 30 yards rushing and one rushing TD. Muratori was Strang's favorite target, catching four balls for 57 yards and a TD.
On defense the Statesmen were lead by SR LB Reggie Robinson with 14 tackles, including one sack and two and a half tackles for a loss.
Merchant Marine was lead by JR QB Alex Coviello who threw for 120 yards and one touchdown as well as 105 yards rushing and a score. SR LB Kevin Stapf lead the Mariner defense with 12 tackles.
With the win Hobart improves to 5-0, 3-0 in the Liberty League and will travel to Worcester, Mass next weekend to take on the WPI Engineers.
The Mariners drop to 2-6, 1-3 in the league, and after a bye week will travel to Schenectady to play Union College Saturday, November 5th.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Homecoming Preview
The #25 ranked and undefeated Hobart Statesmen (4-0, 2-0) will host the United States Merchant Marine Mariners (2-5, 1-2) this Saturday for Homecoming at Boswell Field. The Mariners are a triple option team, meaning they run the ball on virtually every snap. This has enabled the Merchant Marine to rack up over 230 rushing yards per game, but they have struggled against strong defensive fronts. For example last Saturday the Rochester Yellow Jackets (2-3, 1-2) held the Mariners to under 130 yards rushing in a lopsided 45-16 win.
The Merchant Marine is lead by their JR QB Alex Coviello. A threat to pass and run, the Cape Coral, FL native ranks seventh in the LL in rushing yards per game and four TDs. Coviello rarely passes, but has completed 15 attempts for 234 yards and four passing TDs. Coviello's favorite target is JR WR Chase Dunn, who has six TD catches.
Another running threat for the Mariners is JR RB John-Leon Gosselin who ranks third in the LL with 104.7 rushing yards per game (which is also ninth in the LL in total offense). A load to bring down, Gosselin has accounted for two rushing TDs as well.
On defense the Merchant Marine is lead by SR LB Kevin Stapf who ranks first in the LL with 74 total tackles and second with 10.6 tackles per game. Still, a reason for all of the Mariner's work on defense is that they have been relatively porous against the run (191.4 yards per game allowed and 12 TDs) and the pass (205 yards per game allowed and 19 TDs).
That said I imagine Hobart won't have too much difficulty winning Homecoming this weekend. The Statesmen have won seven in a row over the Merchant Marine, dating back to 2004 when they joined the Liberty League. The real key to the game here is containing Coviello and Gosselin while exposing the Mariner's weak defense. The Merchant Marine has allowed over 30 points per game on the season and I expect Hobart to eclipse this mark early in the game.
I'll predict a 49-9 Statesmen win this Saturday, pushing them to 5-0 for the first time since 2006.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
2011 Mid Season Review
The Hobart Statesmen (4-0, 2-0) are off to their best start since the 2008 season. Although Division III football pollsters have largely ignored them, at mid season the Statesmen are ranked 29th in the country in total offense, 16th in total defense and 11th in sacks per game.
Hobart is ranked first in the following categories in the Liberty League (LL):
Offense:
Scoring – 38.2 PPG
Total yards – 433.2 YPG and 20 Touchdowns (TDs)
Red zone (88.2%)
3rd down conversions (56.5%)
Time of Possession (34:49 - good for 8th nationally)
Sacks against (3 for -16 yards)
Defense:
Scoring – 13.2 PPG
Turnover margin +6 (which is a huge improvement from last year)
Rush – 109.8 (1 TD allowed)
Pass – 136.4 PPG (6 TDs allowed)
Total - 246.2 YPG (7 TDs total allowed)
Pass efficiency (98.7 rating)
Opponent first downs (57)
Red zone (42.9% and only 3 TDs)
Opponent 3rd down conversions (31.5%)
Special teams, statistically speaking, could use some work as SO PK Reyes Guevara has missed 4 PATs (18-22) so far on the season. In Guevara’s defense however he is second in the league amongst kickers (and the entire Statesmen team, just behind SR WR and Co-Captain Garth Muratori’s 24 on four TD receptions) with 21 points. Kickoff and punt return yardage is also fairly low, netting Hobart only 17.1 and four and a half yards on average, respectively. The punting game has also been down but that statistic is a bit misleading given Hobart has only punted five times all season and one of those was a shank that netted little, if not zero, yards in the Saint Lawrence game. A positive note for the Statesmen punting game is that opponents have zero success (and yards) in returning punts against the Hobart punt unit.
Individually the Statesmen boast the number five, eight and tenth best rushers in the LL with SO RB Steven Webb averaging 66.2 YPG and having scored two TDs; JR QB Nick Strang averaging 50.5 YPG and JR RB Bobby Dougherty 48.5 YPG. Both Strang and Dougherty have 3 rushing TDs a piece.
Strang is the fourth rated passer in the LL based on YPG (194.8) and has nine passing TDs (compared to three interceptions) to his credit. Strang is the second rated quarterback in the league based on passing efficiency (143 rating). His primary targets, Muratori (88.8 YPG and four TDs) and JR WR Junior Woodard (70 YPG and two TDs) are second and fourth in the LL standings for reception yards per game.
On the defensive side of the ball, Hobart’s SR CB and Co-Captain Drake Woodard is tied for first in the LL for interceptions (three, which is tied for first in the nation in INT per game) and first overall in return yardage (66). SR LB Reggie Robinson ranks 21st in the LL with 23 total (an average of 5.8 tackles per game). FY DE Tyre Coleman is first in sacks with 6.5 (and second in the nation in sacks per game) and SO OLB Devin Worthington is tied for second with four sacks on the season. Coleman, who’s been named LL Rookie of the Week Award three weeks consecutively, also leads the league in tackles for a loss with seven and a half for -55 yards.
Overall the Statesmen have proven to be a solid team, both explosive offensively and stout on the defensive end. That said Hobart has at times been their own worst enemy. Penalties and turnovers are down from 2010, but the Statesmen have gotten bogged down at times. Fortunately their mistakes have yet to come back to haunt them but it will remain to be seen how many times they can successfully bail themselves out of sticky situations.
Hobart takes the field again on Saturday, October 22 during Homecoming Weekend. The Statesmen will line up against the Mariners of the United States Merchant Marine Academy (2-4, 1-1 at the moment, but they do play Rochester this Saturday). Kickoff is at 1 PM ET. I’ll have a preview of the Mariner-Statesmen match-up early next week.
Until then, thanks for reading and go ‘Bart!
Hobart is ranked first in the following categories in the Liberty League (LL):
Offense:
Scoring – 38.2 PPG
Total yards – 433.2 YPG and 20 Touchdowns (TDs)
Red zone (88.2%)
3rd down conversions (56.5%)
Time of Possession (34:49 - good for 8th nationally)
Sacks against (3 for -16 yards)
Defense:
Scoring – 13.2 PPG
Turnover margin +6 (which is a huge improvement from last year)
Rush – 109.8 (1 TD allowed)
Pass – 136.4 PPG (6 TDs allowed)
Total - 246.2 YPG (7 TDs total allowed)
Pass efficiency (98.7 rating)
Opponent first downs (57)
Red zone (42.9% and only 3 TDs)
Opponent 3rd down conversions (31.5%)
Special teams, statistically speaking, could use some work as SO PK Reyes Guevara has missed 4 PATs (18-22) so far on the season. In Guevara’s defense however he is second in the league amongst kickers (and the entire Statesmen team, just behind SR WR and Co-Captain Garth Muratori’s 24 on four TD receptions) with 21 points. Kickoff and punt return yardage is also fairly low, netting Hobart only 17.1 and four and a half yards on average, respectively. The punting game has also been down but that statistic is a bit misleading given Hobart has only punted five times all season and one of those was a shank that netted little, if not zero, yards in the Saint Lawrence game. A positive note for the Statesmen punting game is that opponents have zero success (and yards) in returning punts against the Hobart punt unit.
Individually the Statesmen boast the number five, eight and tenth best rushers in the LL with SO RB Steven Webb averaging 66.2 YPG and having scored two TDs; JR QB Nick Strang averaging 50.5 YPG and JR RB Bobby Dougherty 48.5 YPG. Both Strang and Dougherty have 3 rushing TDs a piece.
Strang is the fourth rated passer in the LL based on YPG (194.8) and has nine passing TDs (compared to three interceptions) to his credit. Strang is the second rated quarterback in the league based on passing efficiency (143 rating). His primary targets, Muratori (88.8 YPG and four TDs) and JR WR Junior Woodard (70 YPG and two TDs) are second and fourth in the LL standings for reception yards per game.
On the defensive side of the ball, Hobart’s SR CB and Co-Captain Drake Woodard is tied for first in the LL for interceptions (three, which is tied for first in the nation in INT per game) and first overall in return yardage (66). SR LB Reggie Robinson ranks 21st in the LL with 23 total (an average of 5.8 tackles per game). FY DE Tyre Coleman is first in sacks with 6.5 (and second in the nation in sacks per game) and SO OLB Devin Worthington is tied for second with four sacks on the season. Coleman, who’s been named LL Rookie of the Week Award three weeks consecutively, also leads the league in tackles for a loss with seven and a half for -55 yards.
Overall the Statesmen have proven to be a solid team, both explosive offensively and stout on the defensive end. That said Hobart has at times been their own worst enemy. Penalties and turnovers are down from 2010, but the Statesmen have gotten bogged down at times. Fortunately their mistakes have yet to come back to haunt them but it will remain to be seen how many times they can successfully bail themselves out of sticky situations.
Hobart takes the field again on Saturday, October 22 during Homecoming Weekend. The Statesmen will line up against the Mariners of the United States Merchant Marine Academy (2-4, 1-1 at the moment, but they do play Rochester this Saturday). Kickoff is at 1 PM ET. I’ll have a preview of the Mariner-Statesmen match-up early next week.
Until then, thanks for reading and go ‘Bart!
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