November 18, 2006

GLASSBORO, N.J.—A gutsy call gave 19th-ranked Hobart College an 18-17 lead over No. 13 Rowan University late in the fourth quarter of the teams’ NCAA Division III Tournament first round clash, but the Profs dashed the Statesmen’s jubilation with a 32-yard field with just nine seconds remaining. The three-pointer gave Rowan a 20-18 victory and improved its record to 8-2, while Hobart ends the year with an 8-2 mark.

Junior kicker Daniel Roberts made the game-winning kick, capping a seven-play, 51-yard drive in the final 1:43.

Trailing 17-10 late in the fourth quarter, junior linebacker Jeff Sanders (Camden/Camden, N.Y.) forced a fumble by Rowan running back Davon Edwards at the Profs 9-yard line that was recovered by senior linebacker Tyler Mason (Stillwater/Stillwater, N.Y.). Three plays later, senior quarterback Shawn Mizro (Newark/Newark, N.Y.) connected with senior tight end Kyle Martin (Onondaga/Syracuse, N.Y.) from 4 yards out for the touchdown. The Statesmen went for the two point conversion and Mizro completed a pass to sophomore tight end Matt Duliba (Forestville/Forestville, N.Y.), giving Hobart an 18-17 lead with 1:52 remaining.

Hobart was led by Mizro (20-10-2, 159 yds, TD), while junior wide receiver James Wright (Olean/Olean, N.Y.) totaled 96 yards on three grabs. Senior running back Doug Blakowski (Iroquois/Elma, N.Y.) compiled 51 yards rushing and one touchdown on 21 carries. Defensively, senior linebacker Evan Hoffman (Fairfield Prep/Fairfield, Conn.) made 10 tackles, including three for a loss, while fellow linebackers senior Nolan Robinson (Johnson City/Johnson City, N.Y.), Sanders and Mason each posted eight stops.

The Statesmen gained 132 yards on the ground against a Rowan squad that was third in the nation in rushing defense, allowing just 33.0 yards per game. Overall, Hobart posted 309 yards of total offense, nearly double what the Profs’ second ranked defense was averaging (166.1 yds/g).

Edwards was the Profs’ leader on offense with 21 carries for 79 yards and three catches for 77 yards. Orihel completed 19 of 35 passes for 253 yards and two touchdowns. Linebackers Chris Pinto and Andrew Yezzi posted 11 and 10 tackles, respectively, to pace the defense.

Rowan went ahead 17-10 at the 6:09 mark in the fourth quarter after a 33-yard touchdown pass from Orihel to Will Barnes. The touchdown was set up by Brandon Tolbert’s interception that gave Rowan the ball on the Hobart 33-yard line.

In the first quarter, the Statesmen scored at 5:09 for a 7-0 lead. Blakowski found the end zone on a 4-yard rush. Mizro connected with Wright on a 49-yard pass play to start the two-play drive.

Roberts made a 38-yard field goal at 12:56 in the second quarter making the score 7-3. Hobart responded with a 27-yard field goal by first-year kicker Denis Avdic (Utica-Proctor/Utica, N.Y.) at 9:19 for a seven-point advantage. Sophomore running back Anthony Hobaica (Utica-Proctor/Utica, N.Y.) carried the ball three times for 35 yards leading up to the kick.

The Profs tied the game with 33 seconds remaining in the first half. Orihel completed a 4-yard touchdown pass to Lester to cap a nine-play, 80-yard drive.

Mizro completed his collegiate career with 6,106 yards passing, the first Hobart quarterback to throw for more than 6,000 yards. He also holds the career record for completions (456), pass attempts (827), passing touchdowns (61), and passing efficiency (135.0).