October 21, 2001

GENEVA, N.Y.-The Hobart College football team improved to 5-1 on the season with a 20-14 win over visiting Alfred University. Senior running back Keith Brandon (Northfield-Mt. Hermon/Jamaica, N.Y.) led the Statesmen with 170 yards rushing and a touchdown, including 116 yards in the second half.

Both offenses sputtered in the early going as the Saxons (2-5) had to settle for a pair of first quarter field goals after twice driving inside the Hobart 20-yard line. Meanwhile, the Hobart offense punted on its first four possessions. The Statesmen began to show some life with their fifth drive, using 10 plays to cover 52 yards, but an interception by senior linebacker Tom Phelan (Middletown, N.Y.) at the Alfred 5-yard line stopped the Hobart threat.

The interception seemed to settle Hobart’s senior signal caller Dan Birdsall (Southampton/Water Mill, N.Y.). After Alfred was forced to punt and the Statesmen took over at the Alfred 47, he completed his first pass to fullback Kris Smith (Northfield-Mt. Hermon/Abington, Mass.) for a 14-yard gain. Then facing fourth and 10, Birdsall found senior wide receiver Scott Yoder (Wyoming Seminary/Kutztown, Pa.) for a 33-yard touchdown.

After junior Rob Crisafulli (Phillips Academy/Garden City, N.Y.) converted the extra point, the Statesmen took a 7-6 lead into halftime. After the break, Birdsall seemed even more relaxed, completing 7-of-9 passes for 87 yards and finishing the day 13-of-26 for 162 yards with two touchdowns and just one interception.

Brandon got Hobart rolling in the second half. On the Statesmen’s second possession of the third quarter, he led Hobart on a six-play, 80-yard drive, carrying the ball four times for 61 yards, culminating with a 25-yard touchdown run that gave the Statesmen a 14-6 lead.

Alfred became just the second team this season to find the end zone in the fourth quarter against Hobart with 12:11 remaining in the contest, an impressive drive that ate up 6 minutes and 44 seconds and covered 72 yards in 17 plays, ending in a 7-yard scamper by sophomore Jesse Raynor (Weedsport, N.Y.). Raynor was the Saxons’ leading rusher, carrying the ball 16 times for 127 yards. A two-point conversion tied the game at 14-all.

The Statesmen responded to the challenge, marching 68 yards in seven plays and ending with a 5-yard hook up between Birdsall and Yoder. Yoder finished with a game-high seven catches for 93 yards and moved to within one of the Hobart record for consecutive games with at least one catch (26). Hobart’s extra-point attempt was blocked and the Statesmen led 20-14 with 9:13 remaining.

Alfred went three plays and out on its next possessions and appeared to be beyond hope as Hobart lined up a 25-yard field goal with 3:29 left to play, but a wobbling kick was low and left, giving the Saxons one last hope.

Alfred converted its first fourth down opportunity to move to the Hobart 34-yard line, but faced fourth and 13 just three plays later. Zandrowicz dropped back and completed his final pass of the afternoon to a wide-open Jason Slagle (Celeron, N.Y.) over middle. Slagle collided with junior defensive back Peter Beatrice (Northfield-Mt. Hermon/Swampscott, Mass.) just short of the first down. Beatrice’s drive ending tackle was one of five stops for him on the day.

The Hobart defense was led by senior tackle Rich Barlette (Wyoming Seminary/Latham, N.Y.), who finished with 12 tackles, including a sack. Senior defensive end Rob Gould (Western Reserve/East Aurora, N.Y.) was close behind with 11 stops.

Senior Brian Keefer (Jamestown, N.Y.) led Alfred with eight tackles, including one and a half sacks.

The Statesmen return to action on Sat., Oct. 28, when they host Ithaca College at 1 p.m.