DOVER, Del.—For three quarters, the No. 7/9 Hobart College football team gave No. 4/5 Wesley all it could handle, but the Wolverines pulled away with three late touchdowns to advance to the NCAA Division III Championship semifinals 41-13.
 
Wesley (12-1) outgained Hobart (12-1) 402-163. The Statesmen outrushed the Wolverines 89-87, but the home team threw for 315 yards to 74 for the visitors. Played in a constant and at times heavy rain, the game had seven fumbles and four interceptions with Wesley finishing the day plus three in turnover margin.
 
Hobart senior quarterback Patrick Conlan was 8-of-24 for 74 yards and two touchdowns. He was intercepted three times. Senior John Fasano had a pair of catches for 19 yards. On the ground, junior Parker Thelander was the Statesmen's leading rusher with 39 yards on three carries. Senior defensive end Tyre Coleman broke his own Hobart game record with six tackles for loss, including a pair of sacks. He and junior linebacker Jacob Stanley shared the team-lead with nine tackles apiece.
 
Wesley junior quarterback Joe Callahan was 23-of-39 passing for 315 yards. He threw two touchdowns and was intercepted once. Senior wide receiver Steve Koudossou made five receptions for 125 yards and a touchdowns. Sophomore running back Jamar Baynard ran for a game-high 78 yards and two TDs. Senior linebacker Sosthene Kapepula made a game-high 13 tackles.
 
The Statesmen fell behind 10-0 after one quarter, but only gave up three points to the offense. The Wolverines settled for a 32-yard field goal on their first possession. That score stood alone until late in the frame when sophomore strong safety Andre Connally forced a fumble at the Hobart 42 that senior free safety Sean Hopkins scooped up and returned for a touchdown with 33 second left in the quarter.
 
Hobart bounced back with a 14-play, 42-yard drive that ran 6:27 off the clock. The key play of the drive was an 18-yard completion from Conlan to senior wide receiver Troy Robinson on a fourth-and-11 from the Wesley 33. The Statesmen converted a second fourth down play later in the drive, giving the ball to senior fullback Dominique Ellis on fourth-and-1 at the Wesley 6. Three plays later, Conlan threw a 4-yard TD pass to first-year tight end Chris Cyr. The extra point hit the upright and was no good, making it a 10-6 game with 8:55 remaining before the half.
 
Wesley carried a 17-6 lead into halftime thanks to a 13-play, 78-yard march right before the half. Baynard scored on a 3-yard run with 1:37 remaining to cap the drive.
 
The Wolverines struck first in the second half as well, taking advantage of a wild snap on a Hobart punt attempt. The Statesmen covered the loose ball at their own 9. Four plays later, sophomore Eric Speidel kicked a 24-yard field goal to make it a 20-6 game.
 
The Statesmen countered with a nine-play, 64-yard scoring drive. Hobart looked headed to a three-and-out, but instead of punting, Thelander took off on the fourth down play and gained 41 yards to move the ball to the Wesley 21. Conlan threw his second TD of the day, completing a 7-yard pass to senior tight end Mike Berkowitz, who was hobbled all week by an ankle injury. The extra point was good to get the Statesmen within seven, 20-13.
 
Hobart's defense forced Wesley to go three-and-out, but almost came up with something more. Coleman sacked Callahan, knocking the ball out in the process, at the Wesley 20. The Wolverines were able to recover the loose ball to avoid giving the Statesmen a short field. Coleman finished the day with two sacks, raising his career total to 51, second in NCAA Division III history. On Wesley's next drive, Coleman blew up a second-and-6 play, stopping Baynard for a loss of six. It was his sixth tackle for loss on the day, a Hobart game record. Coleman finished his career with 94.5 tackles for loss, third in NCAA history.
 
Unfortunately, Coleman was also injured on the play and did not return to the field. On the very next play, Callahan connected with Steve Koudossou for a 60-yard touchdown with 33 seconds left in the third quarter, taking a 27-13 lead into the fourth quarter. Up to that point, Hobart had kept the Wolverines from breaking free for big plays, gaining no more than 26 yards on a single snap.
 
Wesley tacked on another score early in the fourth quarter on a 3-yard Baynard run and late on a 19-yard pass from Callahan to junior tight end Kyle George with 3:01 left.
 
Hobart's seniors compiled a four-year record of 41-5 (.891), seven more wins than any previous graduating class. They captured four consecutive Liberty League Championships and played in four straight NCAA playoffs. The Class of 2015 advanced to the quarterfinals in 2012 and 2014 and reached the second round in 2013, going 5-4 in NCAA play.
 
 
SEASON NOTES:

• Hobart's 12 wins this season tied the program record, set just two years ago.
• Hobart's 34 rushing touchdowns are second to the 2012 team's 46.
• Hobart finished the year with 4,857 yards of offense. Only the 2012 team gained more (5,386).
• Hobart scored 54 touchdowns and 392 points this season, trailing only the 2012 team (66/469) in Hobart history.
• Hobart recorded 96.0 tackles for loss and 39.0 sacks. Only the 2012 team registered more (107.0/43.0).
• Conlan attempted a Hobart season record tying 321 passes this year (originally set by Rich Doyle in 2008). Conlan's 171 completions are second on the Statesmen single season list. Conlan's 2,091 passing yards are the fourth most in a season by a Hobart player as are his 17 touchdown passes.
• Coleman's 28.5 tackles for loss are second to his 2012 record of 30.5. His 13 sacks this season are third on the Hobart season list.