October 17 , 2005

Jimmy Gradis	Steve Sorhaindo
Doug Blakowski	Ryan Aruck

GENEVA, N.Y.—Four Hobart football players were honored by the Liberty League this afternoon for their roles in the Statesmen’s 27-9 win over Kings Point on Saturday. Senior linebacker Jimmy Gradis (Elwood John Glenn/Greenlawn, N.Y.), junior running back Doug Blakowski (Iroquois/Elma, N.Y.), sophomore kick returner Steve Sorhaindo (Yorktown/Yorktown Heights, N.Y.), and first-year defensive tackle Ryan Aruck (Canandaigua/Canandaigua, N.Y.) were named the Co-Defensive, Offensive, and Special Teams Performers of the Week and Rookie of the Week, respectively.

Gradis recorded a game-high 10 tackles, including the 200th of his career. Seven of his 10 stops were solo efforts and he also broke up two pass plays. Gradis and the rest of the Statesmen defense were especially effective at stopping the Mariners’ running game, limiting the visitors to minus-10 yards rushing on the day.

Blakowski rushed for 149 yards and three touchdowns against Kings Point. He averaged 6.2 yards per carry on 24 attempts. Blakowski scored on runs of three, four, and 80 yards. He also caught a pass for 15 yards, giving him 164 yards of total offense. For the season, Blakowski has rushed for 902 yards and 14 touchdowns. He’s on pace to shatter the single season rushing touchdown mark (19) and to become just the third Statesman to rush for 1,300 yards in a season.

Sorhaindo returned the opening kickoff 38 yards to increase his team-leading kick return average in Hobart’s 27-9 win over Kings Point. His 26.0 yards per kick return would be leading the Liberty League but he has only seven returns on the season, the only drawback to Hobart’s stingy defense.

Aruck matched his season-high with seven tackles, including an assisted stop for a loss, against the Mariners. Through six games, he is fifth on the team in tackles with 30, including a sack.

The Statesmen are 6-0 overall and 4-0 in the Liberty League. The three-time defending conference champions are back in action on Oct. 22 when St. Lawrence visits Boswell Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.