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Hobart defeats Dickinson 31-10 in season opener
September 11 , 2004
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Dan Suozzi makes his record-breaking
catch in Hobart's 31-10 win over
Dickinson 31-10. |
GENEVA—The Hobart College football team opened the 2004 campaign in impressive style with a 31-10 drubbing of Dickinson College at Boswell Field in Geneva. The Statesmen (1-0) amassed a total of 471 yards of offense while limiting the Red Devils to just 322 yards. Hobart used a balanced attack rushing for 239 yards while gaining 232 through the air.
The Statesmen offense looked impressive right from the get go scoring points on three of their first four possessions. After Dickinson was forced to punt on the opening drive of the game, the Hobart offense covered 54 yards in 10 plays and scored when senior Dan Suozzi (New Hampton/New Canaan, Conn.) caught a 2-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Shawn Mizro (Newark/Newark, N.Y.). It was Mizro’s first career start as the signal caller.
The teams exchanged punts on the ensuing possessions and after another Dickinson three-plays-and-out, Hobart had the ball at its own 37. The Statesmen would control the ball on the ground during this drive, rushing a total of seven of the nine plays. Senior Jack Holleran (Choate Rosemary Hall/Sharon, Mass.) struck paydirt from 17 yards out to give the Boswell Boys a 14-0 lead.
The Statesmen defense forced another Red Devil punt as the second quarter began. Starting from its own 21, Hobart methodically moved down the field and threatened to score. The big play came when Mizro connected with Suozzi for 46 yards to the Dickinson 11. On the play Suozzi became the school’s all-time leader in receiving yards. He surpassed Scott Geise ’83 who was first with 1,899 yards. The drive stalled and Hobart settle for a 24-yard field goal by senior Eric Ampuja (Brockton/Brockton, Mass.) and a 17-0 advantage.
The Red Devils came back later in the quarter and mounted their most serious scoring drive of the half, but stalled on the Hobart 22. Senior Drew Magyar (Pennsbury/Morrisville, Pa.) was true with a 39-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 17-3. That was the score when the first half ended.
After making adjustments at the half, both defenses turned down right stingy in the third quarter with neither team allowing any points. Both offenses crossed the 50-yard just once each in the quarter.
The fireworks exploded in the fourth when Hobart took possession at its own 44. Mizro needed just one play as he connected with Suozzi for 56 yards and the score. The Red Devils answered two series later with their longest drive of the game covering 69 yards in 14 plays. Senior Keven Williams (Washington Township/Turnersville, N.J.) found senior Gerald O’Hara (Crestwood/Mountaintop, Pa.) for 10 yards and the score.
Hobart came right back and again Mizro needed just one play this time finding senior Rick Pinero (Smithtown/Hauppauge, N.Y.) for 46 yards and a touchdown for a 31-10 lead.
Mizro finished the day 11-of-23 for 232 yards and three touchdowns. Suozzi finished with four receptions for 117 yards and two touchdowns. He now has 1,966 career receiving yards, tops at Hobart. On the ground senior Ty Godinho (Lancaster/Lancaster, N.Y.) had 111 yards on 23 carries while Holleran had seven rushes for 74 yards. For Dickinson, Williams was 20-of-35 for 192 yards. O’Hara had six catches for 79 yards.
Defensively junior linebacker Tony Clemente (Troy/Troy, N.Y.) led the Hobart charge will 11 tackles. Junior corner back Jamie Anderson (Canandaigua/Canandaigua, N.Y.) and senior defensive end Chris Purtell (Pioneer/Sardinia, N.Y.) each checked in with 10 stops.
Hobart hits the road for its next contest, traveling to Lancaster, Pa. The Statesmen will face the Franklin & Marshall Diplomats at 1 p.m., on Sept. 18.