November 10 2001

TROY, N.Y.—The Hobart football team nearly pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the year in its season finale, but a wacky play in the game’s final minute saved the undefeated Rensselaer Engineers, 35-29. Despite the loss, it was a record-setting afternoon for quarterback Craig Swanson, who broke four Hobart records.

The Statesmen led 29-27 as RPI lined up for a 31-yard field goal to claim its first lead of the afternoon with less than two minutes remaining. First-year defensive back David Taylor raced in from the left and blocked the kick, setting off a celebration in the stands among the Hobart fans. That jubilation quickly turned to disbelief as the Statesmen faithful realized the Engineers’ holder recovered the loose ball and raced to the end zone.

Hobart got off to a torrid start, taking a 14-0 lead midway through the opening quarter. First-year Dan Suozzi got the Statesmen on the board with a 72-yard punt return for a touchdown. Swanson hooked up with Joe Pirozzolo on a 78-yard pass play for a touchdown to double Hobart’s lead.

The Engineers got a pair of touchdowns before halftime, but first-year Eric Ampuja kept the Statesmen out in front with field goals from 42 and 28 yards out. Hobart led 20-14 at halftime.

The Statesmen struck first in the second half on a 9-yard pass from Swanson to Pirozzolo. Swanson finished with a quartet of Hobart single game records, completing 25-of-54 passes for 437 yards, while amassing 428 yards of total offense (-9 rush, 437 pass).

Pirzzolo caught five passes for a team-high 156 yards. RPI sandwiched a pair of touchdowns around a 40-yard Ampuja field goal to set up the games wild finish.