October 28, 2006

GENEVA, N.Y.—The 17th-ranked Hobart College football team remained unbeaten, posting a 21-14 victory at Alfred University this afternoon. The Statesmen improve to 7-0, while the Saxons fall to 6-2.

The two teams played a fairly even contest with Alfred outgaining Hobart 363-304. The difference proved to be turnovers. The Statesmen defense recorded three takeaways, while the Saxons had just two.

Entering the contest, Alfred had allowed only four passing touchdowns all season, but senior quarterback Shawn Mizro (Newark/Newark, N.Y.) three, including two to junior wide receiver James Wright (Olean/Olean, N.Y.). Mizro was 9-of-24 for 137 yards with two interceptions. Wright had a game-high five receptions for 87 yards and completed a pass of his own for 35 yards. On the ground, senior Doug Blakowski (Iroquois/Elma, N.Y.) rushed for 98 yards and caught two passes for 30 yards and a touchdown.

With the game tied 14-all in the fourth quarter, Hobart went on an eight-play, 76-yard drive to take the lead 21-14. Wright kicked off the drive with his 35-yard completion and capped it by catching his second TD, a 12-yard score. It’s the fourth time this season and eighth time in his career that Mizro has led the Statesmen on a game-winning drive in the fourth quarter or overtime.

The Statesmen forced the Saxons to punt on their next two possessions and then forced four straight incompletions from the Hobart 41 in the final two minutes, allowing the offense to run out the clock.

Mizro’s 31-yard TD pass to Blakowski midway through the first quarter gave the Statesmen a 6-0 lead. The extra point was blocked.

Alfred pulled even early in the second quarter on a 58-yard touchdown reception by tight end Matt Gibbins from quarterback Paul Keeley. The extra point sent the Saxons into the break with a one-point lead.

Brian Nitsche came within a yard of returning an interception for a touchdown, but tackle Mike DePersis forced a fumble at the Hobart one that the Statesmen recovered in the end zone for a touchback.

On their first possession of the second half, Hobart went out in front 14-7. Wright caught a 19-yard TD pass and Mizro hit senior tight end Kyle Martin (Onondaga/Syracuse, N.Y.) for a two-point conversion.

Kelley and Gibbins teamed up for another passing touchdown, this time from 8 yards out to tie the game just three minutes later. Keeley was 18 of 43 for 254 yards and two touchdowns along with an interception.

Sophomore tackle Ryan Aruck (Canandaigua/Canandaigua, N.Y.) led Hobart with nine tackles, while junior free safety Mike Kaplun (Webster Schoeder/Webster, N.Y.) added eight stops and an interception. Don Miller paced Alfred with a game-high 11 tackles.

Hobart is back in action on Nov. 4, when the Statesmen host Union. Kickoff at Boswell Field is scheduled for 1 p.m.