December 9 , 2005

Senior linebacker Tony Clemente (Photo by Kevin Colton)

Junior running back Doug Blakowski (Photo by Kevin Colton)

Senior defensive tackle Rick Eicheldinger (Photo by Kevin Colton)

GENEVA, N.Y.—Three Hobart football players were named to the D3football.com All-East teams. Senior linebacker Tony Clemente (Troy/Troy, N.Y.) and junior running back Doug Blakowski (Iroquois/Elma, N.Y.) earned second-team honors, while senior defensive tackle Rick Eicheldinger (Lancaster/Lancaster, N.Y.) received third-team recognition.

Clemente was named the 2005 Liberty League Defensive Player of the Year, an honor he also received in 2003. This season, he recorded 61 tackles, including eight for a loss and three sacks. Clemente tied for the team lead in forced fumbles, and was second on the team in total tackles and solo tackles. He had at least three tackles in every game this year, including a season-high nine at Rochester. Clemente finished his career with 222 tackles, 16 tackles for a loss, six sacks, 11 passes defended, and nine forced fumbles. He averaged more than five tackles per game over his 42-game career.

In his first season as a starter, Blakowski produced one of the best rushing performances in Hobart history. The first-team All-Liberty League pick gained 1,364 yards on the ground (the third highest season total by a Statesman), scored 17 rushing touchdowns (the second highest season total), and caught 11 passes for 171 yards and another touchdown. Blakowski led the Liberty League in average yards per carry (5.8). He ranked 22nd in the nation in rushing yards per game (124.0) and 23rd in scoring (10.0). Blakowski had nine 100-yard rushing games, including a season-high 198 yards on just 19 carries at Coast Guard. An explosive runner, he boasted eight scoring plays of 50 yards or more this season.

Eicheldinger led Hobart in tackles for a loss with 10.5 and tied for the team lead in sacks with five. The first-team All-Liberty League selection recorded at least three tackles in every game this year, including a season-high seven at Delaware Valley in the NCAA Playoffs. Eicheldinger created two turnovers this season, making his first collegiate interception at Union and forcing a fumble against the Aggies. During his two seasons in a Hobart uniform, Eicheldinger logged 82 tackles, 15.5 tackles for a loss, and seven sacks.

Hobart finished the regular season with an 8-1 record, placing second in the Liberty League. The Statesmen received an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament, defeating SUNY Cortland in the first round 23-22 to tie the school record for wins in a season. Hobart lost in the regional semifinal, dropping a nail-biter, 21-14, at Delaware Valley.

The teams, selected in balloting by East region sports information directors and D3football.com staff, were chosen from 189 nominations by Division III member schools. A total of 76 student-athletes were named All-East. This is the first time D3football.com has selected All-Region teams.