December 20 , 2005

Doug Blakowski

Rick Eicheldinger

Shawn Mizro

Tony Clemente

GENEVA, N.Y.—Four players on the Hobart College football team recently were named ECAC Division III Northwest All-Stars. Junior running back Doug Blakowski (Iroquois Central/Elma, N.Y.), senior linebacker Tony Clemente (Troy/Troy, N.Y.), and senior defensive linemen Rick Eicheldinger (Lancaster/Lancaster, N.Y.) represented the Statesmen on the first-team, while junior quarterback Shawn Mizro (Newark/Newark, N.Y.) earned honorable mention.

Blakowski, a D3football.com honorable mention All-American, turned in one of the best single-season rushing performances in Hobart history. The first-team All-Liberty League selection rushed 1,364 yards, 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. He led the League in average yards per carry (5.8). Blakowski ranked 21st in the nation in rushing yards per game (124.0), 22nd in all purpose yards (154.6/g), and 24th in scoring (10.0). He registered nine 100-yard rushing games, including a career-high 198 yards on just 19 carries at Coast Guard. An explosive playmaker, Blakowski boasted eight scoring plays of 50 yards or more this season. In just 28 career games, he has rushed for 1,556 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Clemente, already highly decorated, is a two-time Liberty League Defensive Player of the Year, a third-team Football Gazette All-East selection, a second-team D3football.com All-East pick, and a three-time All-Liberty League pick. A punishing hitter, 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 (115-107), 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.

Eicheldinger, who received D3football.com third-team All-East recognition, is making his first appearance on the All-ECAC Northeast team. The first-team All-Liberty League pick led the Statesmen in tackles for a loss (10.5) and tied for the team lead in sacks (5). Eicheldinger recorded at least three tackles in every game this year, including a season-high seven at Delaware Valley in the NCAA regional semifinals. He created two turnovers, making his first collegiate interception at Union and forcing a fumble against the Aggies. During his two seasons, Eicheldinger logged 82 tackles, 15.5 for a loss, and seven sacks.

Mizro, a two-time All-Liberty League selection, threw for 2,143 yards and 17 touchdown. He torched the Union secondary for a season-high 428 yards, while throwing a season-high five touchdown passes against Rensselaer, tying his Hobart single-game record. Facing the Liberty League’s top-ranked passing defense, Mizro completed a Statesmen record 89.5 percent of his passes (17-19) and broke the record for passing efficiency (246.8) in a win at Coast Guard. In just two seasons as a starter, he is tied for first on the career touchdowns list (47). Mizro ranks third in career passing yards (4,407) and completions (315).

Hobart completed the 2005 campaign with a 9-2 overall mark, tying the program’s record for most wins in a season (1896 9-3, 2004 9-2). For the second consecutive season, the Statesmen advanced to the regional semifinals in the NCAA tournament, the team’s fifth postseason appearance since 2000.