Craig Swanson '04

Dan Suozzi '05

David Szentesy '04

October 26, 2002

GENEVA, N.Y.—Sophomore running back Ty Godinho (Lancaster/Lancaster, N.Y.) caught a 13-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Craig Swanson (Jamestown/Jamestown, N.Y.) in the second overtime to give Hobart College a come-from-behind 25-19 victory over Alfred University this afternoon at Boswell Field. Despite a season-high three interception, Swanson completed a school record 26-of-39 passes for 320 yards and a record matching four touchdowns.

The Statesmen improved to 6-0 for the first time since 1957, but their undefeated status looked very much in doubt in the fourth quarter.

The Saxons (3-5) took the lead on the second play of the fourth quarter when sophomore quarterback Ron Duliba (Forestville, N.Y.) completed a 30-yard strike to junior wide receiver Nick Coleman (Waverly, N.Y.). Alfred could have had an eight-point lead, but Hobart blocked the point after try, leaving the Saxons a 19-12 advantage.

On the ensuing possession, Hobart moved the ball to the Alfred 42, but got bogged down by a 15-yard penalty and two negative yardage plays. The Statesmen defense took control immediately, forcing the Saxons to go three plays and out and setting up Hobart’s game-tying drive.

The Statesmen offense returned to the field with 6:29 remaining and 72 yards to go. Hobart needed 12 plays, two Alfred pass interference penalties, and two fourth-and-one conversions—the last a TD toss from Swanson to senior tight end Jeremy Archer (Randolph/Randolph, N.Y.)—to pull to within one, 19-18, with 26 seconds left in regulation and a point after try still to come.

Sophomore Eric Ampuja (Brockton/Brockton, Mass.) ran onto the field having missed both of his PATs earlier in the game (the second was blocked). Hobart’s career record holder for PATs made raised that record to 49 with a high and straight kick that sailed down the middle and forced overtime.

In the first overtime, the Statesmen had a 37-yard field goal attempt blocked, and the Saxons turned the ball over on downs.

“Once we stopped them [in the first overtime], I knew we were going to win,” Hobart Head Coach Mike Cragg said.

Alfred had the first possession of the second extra session. Duliba gave the Saxons a first down with a 13 yard gain on the first play. He finished with a game-high 152 yards rushing and two touchdowns, while completing 7-of-24 for 59 yards. After an incomplete pass, Duliba picked up three yards to bring up third and seven. Alfred elected to pass, but Duliba never had a chance to look for an open receiver. Senior defensive end Chris Hanly (Swampscott/Swampscott, Mass.) came from Duliba’s blindside untouched and registered a seven-yard sack, bringing up fourth-and-16. The Saxons’ 33-yard field goal attempt was no good, hitting the crossbar.

Hanly finished with five tackles, and batted down three passes at the line of scrimmage.

Hobart needed just two plays to win its first overtime game since 1996 (a 36-35 win over Rensselaer). Swanson hit sophomore wide receiver Dan Suozzi (New Hampton/New Canaan, Conn.) for a 12 yard gain, and found Godinho for the game-winner on the next snap.

Suozzi led all receivers with nine catches for 148 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, junior linebacker David Szentesy (Lackawanna/Lackawanna, N.Y.) recorded a game-high 11 tackles, including nine solo, for Hobart, senior linebacker Colin Murphy (Manchester, N.H.) paced Alfred with nine stops.

The Saxons opened the game’s scoring on a 36-yard draw play by Duliba with 6:36 remaining in the first quarter. Hobart answered two minutes later, when sophomore wide receiver Rick Pinero (Smithtown/Huppauge, N.Y.) pulled in a 14-yard pass from Swanson. The TD throw was the 14th of the season for Swanson, breaking the Hobart record of 13 set by Greg Helmer ’97 in 1996. Swanson has thrown four touchdowns in each of the last three games.

Hobart faced its first halftime deficit when Duliba scored on a 13-yard scramble for a 13-6 Alfred lead. In the third quarter, Swanson hit Suozzi on a 33-yard strike to pull to within one and set up the dramatic ending.

Hobart returns to action on Nov. 2, when Ithaca College visits Boswell Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.