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Hobart defense shuts down Saints, 23-0

Posted 10/2/11

The St. Lawrence University football team lost its first Liberty League game of the season on Saturday, as the Hobart College defense shutout the Scarlet and Brown en route to a 23-0 win in Geneva, …

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Hobart defense shuts down Saints, 23-0

Posted

The St. Lawrence University football team lost its first Liberty League game of the season on Saturday, as the Hobart College defense shutout the Scarlet and Brown en route to a 23-0 win in Geneva, NY. Senior co-captain Marcus Washington led St. Lawrence with 81 yards on 20 carries, while senior Ramon Mignott and sophomore Andrew Cox each had a game-high 11 tackles.

The Saints fall to 3-2 (1-1) on the season after being outgained 327-84 in total offense, while the Statesmen improve to 3-0 (1-0).

Wet conditions made possession and footing key throughout the game, as St. Lawrence had early chances thanks to three Hobart turnovers. Senior Christian Bianchi intercepted Hobart quarterback Nick Strang at the St. Lawrence 6-yard line to end the home team's opening drive. Hobart's Junior Woodard then fumbled both a punt and after a reception, resulting in a pair of Saint possessions.

Unfortunately, the St. Lawrence offense was unable to move the football against the Statesmen. The visitors punted on all six of their drives in the first half, despite having solid field position including a drive starting at the Hobart 29-yard line.

The only points of the first half came in the final minute, as Hobart marched 41 yards in 10 plays to take a 7-0 lead before intermission. The key play of the drive was a converted 3rd-and-6 completion from Strang to Woodard to set up 1st-and-goal at the St. Lawrence 2-yard line. Three plays later, Strang found Yosh Karbowniczak for a two yard touchdown pass for a 6-0 lead with 19 seconds left in the half. Reyes Guevara added the extra point for the 7-0 cushion.

Hobart would capitalize on a miscue by first-year student John Wittig, who fumbled a punt at his own 20-yard line after the St. Lawrence defense forced a three-and-out. Kevin Hearon pounced on the ball for the home team, which led to a 36-yard field goal by Guevara for a 10-0 lead with 8:49 remaining in the third quarter.

St. Lawrence would have great scoring tries on each of its ensuing drives, but an interception by Drake Woodard in the red zone for Hobart shut down the Saints' first scoring try. Then, after the Saints blocked Karbowniczak's punt and inherited the ball at the Hobart 8-yard line, they came away empty with a missed field goal try by graduate student James Stewart.

The Statesmen would take advantage of the Saints' missed opportunities, taking a 17-0 lead on their first drive of the fourth quarter. Hobart went 81 yards in 17 plays eating up 9:25 of clock time to take a three-score lead. The home team converted five third downs en route to the touchdown, which was scored by Strang on a rush from three yards out. Guevara added the extra point.

Hobart's defense would then chip in six points on St. Lawrence's next drive, as Austin DiMarco intercepted a 4th-and-3 pass from Saint quarterback Nik Busharis and took it to the end zone from 38-yards out for a 23-0 lead with 4:47 left in regulation. Guevara's kick was blocked, but Hobart was able to stop the visitors on their final drive to cap a solid performance and win 23-0.

Busharis struggled in his first trip to Geneva, completing only 3-of-21 passes for 25 yards. He was also sacked five times and was intercepted twice. Meanwhile, Strang finished 15-of-26 for 139 yards and a touchdown. Junior Woodard led all receivers with 66 yards on six catches, while Hobart's defense was led by Reggie Robinson's six tackles including 1.5 for a loss.

The Saints will have a bye next week before welcoming Union College to Leckonby Stadium on Saturday, October 15. Kick-off is scheduled for 1:00pm.