October 21, 2006

Doug Blakowski ran for 128 yards and two touchdowns at St. Lawrence. (Photo by Ken DeBolt)

Evan Hoffman puts a hit on the Saints' quarterback. (Photo by Ken DeBolt)

CANTON, N.Y.—The 18th-ranked Hobart football team defeated St. Lawrence University for the 15th consecutive time, handing the host Saints a 27-7 Liberty League loss this afternoon. The Statesmen held a 2-to-1 advantage in time of possession, while the Saints managed to cross midfield just once all day.

Senior running back Doug Blakowski (Iroquois/Elma, N.Y.) rushed for 128 yards and two touchdowns for Hobart (6-0, 4-0). Through the air, senior quarterback Shawn Mizro (Newark/Newark, N.Y.) completed 19 of 27 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore wide receiver Ryan LiDrazzah (Kent School/San Diego, Calif.) caught a game-high seven passes for 49 yards. Hobart rolled up 354 yards of total offense, while holding St. Lawrence to just 167, including a scant 45 yards on the ground.

In the first half, the Statesmen dominated time of possession, hanging on to the football for nearly 21 minutes. Hobart had the best scoring chance of the first quarter, but a 14-play, 59-yard drive ended on a fumble at the Saints 21.

The Statesmen broke through early in the second quarter. Blakowski dove in from 2 yards out for a 6-0 lead. The extra point missed wide right. Mizro completed five of six passes on the drive, including a 22-yard pickup to senior fullback Chris Whipple (West Genesee/Camillus, N.Y.).

On Hobart’s next possession, the ground game made short work of the Saints’ defense. Blakowski took the first carry 14 yards for a first down at the Hobart 45. On the next handoff, junior Don Gilardi (Eastridge/Rochester, N.Y.) matched his career-long with a 55-yard touchdown run up the middle. The extra point gave the Statesmen a 13-0 lead with 10:19 remaining in the half.

Meanwhile, the Hobart defense had an answer for everything St. Lawrence tried. The Saints managed just two first downs and never got across midfield in the opening 30 minutes. The Statesmen posted 259 yards of offense, while limiting their hosts to just 55.

Hobart added to its lead on its second possession of the third quarter. Junior wide receiver James Wright (Olean/Olean, N.Y.) made an over-the-shoulder catch for an 18-yard touchdown pass from Mizro that, with the extra point put the Statesmen up 20-0.

St. Lawrence (3-3, 1-2) made its only journey into Hobart territory count. Two big receptions by senior Jeremy Cronin (Warrensburg/Warrensburg, N.Y.) set up a 2 yard dive by first-year running back Connor Hackett (Bronxville/Bronxville, N.Y.). Cronin made catches of 29 and 38 yards to set up the score. Both passes came from senior Matt Bezio (Peru/Morrisonville, N.Y.). He finished the day just 5 of 27 for 122 yards and three interceptions.

All three interceptions came in the second half thanks to juniors James Alexander (St. John’s Prep/Beverly, Mass.), Jeff Sanders (Camden/Camden, N.Y.), and Mike Kaplun (Webster Schoeder/Webster, N.Y.). Kaplun’s pick set up the day’s final scoring drive that ended on a 7-yard TD run by Blakowski.

Defensively, senior defensive end Andy Purdie (Victor/Farmington, N.Y.) led the Statesmen with six tackles, including two sacks. Senior linebacker Jordan Burger (Illion/Illion, N.Y.) recorded a game-high 16 stops for the Saints.

Hobart is back in action on Oct. 28, when the Statesmen travel to Alfred University. Kickoff at Merrill Field is scheduled for 1 p.m.