Players and fans observed a moment of silence prior to the start of this afternoon's game for the victims of the terrorists attacks on Sept. 11 and for Union junior defensive end Mark Stokes, who died in an automobile accident this week. (Photo by Seth Siditsky)

GENEVA, N.Y.-The 18th-ranked Union College football team handed Hobart College its most lopsided loss since 1990, topping the Statesmen in their home opener, 42-6. The victory marked the fifth consecutive time the visiting team has won in this heated Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association rivalry.

The Dutchmen's George Beebe (Salem, N.Y.) led the way with 180 yards rushing on 13 carries. The junior tailback set the tone early, taking Union's opening snap 78 yards for a touchdown.

Hobart (1-1, 0-1) first-year cornerback Skip Grantling (Clyde-Savannah/Clyde, N.Y.) prevented the Dutchmen (3-0, 2-0) from tacking on another TD on their following possession, intercepting Ben Gilbert on Hobart's 3-yard line. The play seemed to return the Statesmen defense's composure. That composure disappeared early in the second quarter when Gilbert eluded what appeared to be a sure sack and found a wide-open Ryan Gallo (Troy, N.Y.) for a 61-yard touchdown strike. Gallo finished with a pair of receptions, both for TDs, totaling 71 yards.

The play opened the floodgates for the Union scoring machine that entered the contest averaging more than 50 points per game. The Dutchmen scored touchdowns on three of its next four possessions, and was kept from a 4-for-4 run by sophomore cornerback Patrick Lester's (Williamsville South/Williamsville, N.Y.) interception in the end zone.

The Statesmen trailed 35-0 at halftime and 42-0 through three quarters. Hobart's lone score came in the first minute of the fourth quarter, when sophomore quarterback Craig Swanson (Jamestown/Jamestown, N.Y.) threw a 20-yard fade to classmate Joe Pirozzolo (Elmira Free Academy/Elmira, N.Y.) for six points. Pirozzolo finished with a team-high four catches for 65 yards.

Defensively, Union limited Hobart to just 146 yards of total offense, while forcing four turnovers and registering nine sacks. Senior linebacker Mike Rosenthal led the Dutchmen with 10 tackles.

Junior linebacker Everton McLean (Bishop Maginn/Albany, N.Y.) paced Hobart with seven tackles, including a sack.

The 36-point loss was the worst by a Hobart team since Union topped the Statesmen 59-10 in 1990, while the 42 points allowed was the most given up by the defense since Ithaca scored 44 in 1999.

A source of pride for both Hobart and Union colleges this afternoon was the generosity of the school's fans. City of Geneva firefighters collected $1,563 dollars at the game that will be sent to the New York City Uniformed Firefighters Association Widows and Children Fund. People wishing to donate directly to the fund may send contributions to:

UFA - WTC
204 E. 23rd St
New York, NY 10010

CERT #501C(3) CHARITY FUND - EIN 13-304-7544

Both teams return to action at 1:30 p.m., on Sept. 29. The Statesmen travel to UCAA rival St. Lawrence, while the Dutchmen travel to Alfred.