Hobart 31, WPI 14

Box Score    

Geneva, NY --- Hobart College junior wide receiver Tyler Vincent (Baldwinsville, NY) caught three touchdowns passes from senior quarterback Rich Doyle (Staten Island, NY) to lead the Statesmen to a 31-14 victory over WPI. Hobart played a near perfect first half, charging out to a 24-0 lead, while shutting out the Engineers through the first three quarters, to secure its 12th consecutive winning season. 

The Statesmen (6-1, 4-1 Liberty League) outgained WPI (311 yds-226 yds), picked up nine more first downs (22-13), and dominated time of possession (35:11-24:49). Field position was critical to Hobart's success as well. The Statesmen's average starting field position was their own 47-that average jumped ahead to the WPI 40 in Hobart's 17-point second quarter. Meanwhile, the Engineers' averaging starting field position was their own 29. 

Vincent (7 rec, 57 yds) capped the Statesmen's second drive, pulling in a 7-yard toss from Doyle (26-19-2, 202 yds, 3 TD), for a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter. 

Hobart got on a roll in the second frame, scoring on its first three possessions. Vincent and Doyle teamed up on a 14-yard strike for a 14-0 lead 13:12 before the break. First-year cornerback Drake Woodard (Marcy, NY) set up the next score, forcing and recovering a fumble near midfield. Nine plays later, junior P.J. Overdorf (Troy, NY) booted a 21-yard field goal. After a three-and-out by WPI, Hobart marched 50 yards in nine plays, the last a 2-yard plunge by sophomore running back Andrew Marlier (Lake Forest, IL), to take a 24-0 lead into the locker room at halftime. 

Hobart's defense, paced by senior linebacker Justin Hager's (Salamanca, NY) team-high 13 tackles, limited the Engineers to just five first downs and only 81 yards before the break. WPI's deepest excursion into Hobart territory in the first half was the Statesmen 46. 

While Hobart didn't add to its lead in the third quarter, the Engineers' struggles continued. The Statesmen defense forced WPI into three straight three-and-outs. 

The Engineers (6-2, 3-2) finally broke through with a drive spanning the third and fourth quarter, albeit, not without a bit of luck. Facing fourth and 14 from the Hobart 29, senior quarterback Justin Wells (Jay, ME) dropped the shotgun snap, but picked it up, scrambled away from pressure and found sophomore running back Manny Cambra (Bethel, CT) open in the left flat. Cambra took the busted play 29 yards for a touchdown with 14:11 remaining. 

On the ensuing drive, senior defensive lineman Erik Pichette (Chelmsford, MA) ripped the ball away from Marlier, setting WPI up at the Hobart 42. Seven plays later, again on a fourth down play, Wells (30-19-1, 155 yds, 1 TD) scored on a 7-yard keeper to get the Engineers within 10, 24-14. 

Hobart answered with an 8-play, 55-yard drive that ended with a 1-yard TD pass from Doyle to Vincent to spoil WPI's comeback hopes. Senior free safety Lance Boyington (Rochester, NY) put the final nail in the coffin, intercepting Wells at the Hobart 38. From there, the Statesmen offense picked up three first downs, running the final 6:15 off the game clock. 

On defense, four Engineer's recorded 10 or more tackles. Sophomore linebacker Michael Oliveri (Milford, MA) logged a game-high 15 stops, while senior linebacker Stefan Nicotra (Wyoming, RI) and sophomore defensive back Adam Power (Tewksbury, MA) each added 11, while Pichette chipped in 10. 

Hobart will visit RPI on Nov. 8 with first place in the Liberty League on the line. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 pm.  WPI will return home on Saturday for a conference tilt at noon against Susquehanna. 

Release Courtesy Hobart Sports Information