July 25 , 2006

Doug Blakowski

Shawn Mizro

Nolan Robinson

Jeff Sanders

GENEVA, N.Y.—Hobart Football Head Coach Mike Cragg announced that senior running back Doug Blakowski (Iroquois/Elma, N.Y.), senior quarterback Shawn Mizro (Newark/Newark, N.Y.), senior outside linebacker Nolan Robinson (Johnson City/Johnson City, N.Y.), and junior inside linebacker Jeff Sanders (Camden/Camden, N.Y.) will serve as the team captains for the 2006 season.

Blakowski, in his first season as a starter, rushed for 1,364 yards and 17 touchdowns last season. He led the Liberty League in rushing yards per carry (5.8) and ranked 22nd in the nation in rushing yards per game (124.0), 22nd in all purpose yards per game (154.6) and 24th in scoring (10.0 ppg). Blakowski tied the Hobart single season record with nine 100-yard rushing games, while his rushing total was the third highest single season effort in Statesmen lore. He was named to the D3football.com and Football Gazette All-America teams last season.

A two-year starter, Mizro has thrown for 4,407 yards and 47 touchdowns in his career. His next TD pass will break the career record he currently shares with Craig Swanson ’04. Mizro is within striking distance of several other Hobart passing marks, including completions (139 shy), yards (1,271), and pass efficiency rating (his 140.8 mark is 11.1 better than any previous Statesman).

Robinson might be the most underrated linebacker in the Liberty League. The 2003 Liberty League Rookie of the Year and a 2004 All-Liberty League honorable mention pick was left off the all-conference teams in 2005. He has ranked in the top five on the team in tackles in each of his three seasons. Robinson is the team’s top returning tackler with 171 to his credit. An effective pass rusher, he boasts 11 sacks among his 17.5 career tackles for a loss.

The only other Statesman that returns more than 100 career tackles, Sanders has averaged 56.5 tackles over the past two years. A two-time All-Liberty League selection, he was second on the team in tackles with 53 before a knee injury robbed him of the final two games of the season. Sanders recorded a season-high 10 tackles against Rensselaer, made nine stops against Kings Point, and eight against both WPI and St. Lawrence.

Hobart returns 40 lettermen, including 15 starters, from last season’s 9-2 squad that reached the NCAA regional semifinals. The Statesmen begin their 113th varsity season on Sept. 9, when Hobart hosts Dickinson College at 1 p.m.