November 14 , 2004

GENEVA, N.Y.—The Hobart College football team will make its third appearance in the NCAA Division III Tournament in the same place where its previous two playoff runs began, on Boswell Field. The Statesmen will host Curry College in the tournament’s first round at noon, on Nov. 20.

Hobart, ranked 22nd in last week’s AFCA poll, played its way into the 28-team field by winning the Liberty League title and the accompanying automatic bid. The Statesmen were a perfect 7-0 in conference play, 8-1 overall.

Curry also earned an automatic bid, winning the New England Football Conference. The Colonels (9-1, 5-1) won the two-division NEFC championship game on Nov. 13, 17-7 over Fitchburg State College.

Hobart enters the contest riding a seven-game win streak. The Statesmen have matched or broke 16 major career, season, or game records this year, including the team records for points (315) and touchdowns (43) in a season.

Hobart sports a wide aray of weapons on offense and a stingy defense, leading the Liberty League in scoring offense (35.0), scoring defense (17.9), turnover margin (+14), rushing offense (210.6 yds/g), rushing defense (94.7 yds/g), total offense (427.0 yds/g), red zone offense (94.6%), and red zone defense (57.1%).

Hobart and Curry have never met on the gridiron, but the Statesmen did face the NEFC champion in their first journey into the NCAA Tournament in 2000. That year, Hobart’s first in the tournament, the Statesmen topped Bridgewater State College 25-0 in the first round.

Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for students. For more information or to order tickets, phone (315) 781-3565.