GENEVA, N.Y.—The Hobart football team’s defense shutout Merchant Marine Academy for the second straight season as the Statesmen posted a 28-0 Liberty League victory on Boswell Field. The Statesmen even their record at 3-3 (2-2 in the Liberty League), while the Mariners slip to 4-4 (2-3).
Merchant Marine, which entered the contest second in the league in scoring offense (25.7 ppg), had 13 drives in the contest, eight of which resulted in a three-and-out and a ninth drive was cut short by a third down fumble. The Mariners were just 2-of-16 on third down and managed just eight first downs in the contest. Merchant Marine hasn’t scored on Hobart’s defense since the third quarter of 2007’s showdown.
Kyle O’Laughlin led Hobart’s charge with a game-high 10 tackles, while
Mike Arduini added seven stops, including a sack.
Mike Faracca counted a team-high two tackles for a loss among his four take downs.
Hobart opened the scoring by taking advantage of a Merchant Marine turnover. O’Laughlin forced a Karl Heimbrock (16 rush, 41 yds) fumble that
Orlando Patterson recovered at the Mariners’ 39. Seven plays later,
Preston Earl (4-9-1, 62 yds, TD) floated a pass into the arms of
Tyler Vincent (3 rec, 38 yds, TD) for a 24-yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead with 1:22 remaining in the opening quarter.
After the defense forced a three-and-out, the Statesmen marched 58 yards in four plays with
Kyle Tritten (4 rush, 46 yds, TD) shouldering the load. He rushed for 31 yards on the first play, the longest rush of the day for either team, and punched it in from 3 yards out for a 14-0 lead with 12:57 left in the second quarter.
The Mariners had their best drive of the day come up 25 yards short late in the first half. Merchant Marine drove from their own 20 to the Hobart 25, but the Mariners turned the ball over on downs following four straight in completions.
Hobart gained 154 yards in the first half, while holding the Mariners to just 89.
Merchant Marine went three and out with the first possession of the second half and the Statesmen countered with another scoring drive.
Andrew Marlier (9 rush, 23 yds, TD) capped a 10-play, 75-yard drive with a 7-yard dash to the end zone to put Hobart in front 21-0 with 8:16 remaining in the third quarter.
The visitors were just 1-of-12 on third downs and picked up only five first downs through three quarters.
The Statesmen’s final scoring drive was set up by special teams. On the final play of the third quarter,
James Rayhill blocked the Mariners’ punt attempt and
Kevin Grogan recovered for Hobart at the Merchant Marine 45. Four plays later,
Andrew Miller scored his first career touchdown on a 10-yard sweep to the right.
The Statesmen used five quarterbacks in the contest with starter
Doug Vella completing 10-of-15 for a game-high 105 yards. Merchant Marine starter Derrick Ventre was 8-of-24 for 66 yards.
Hobart is back in action at 1 p.m. on Oct. 31, when the Statesmen visit WPI, while the Mariners will have two weeks to prepare for a Nov. 7 showdown with conference front-runner Union.