Four members of the Hobart College football team earned a spot on the D3football.com All-Region 2 Teams that were announced this afternoon. Linebacker Emmett Forde (Catholic Memorial/South Boston, Mass.) and running back Tim Denham Jr. (Christian Brothers Academy/Syracuse, N.Y.) represented the Statesmen on the first team and defensive back Jared Leake (Huntington/Huntington, N.Y.) and offensive lineman Kieran Paskewitz (Garden City/Garden City, N.Y.) received third team recognition.
A two-time first team All-Region selection, Forde led the Liberty League this season in tackles for loss, sacks, and forced fumbles, despite missing two games due to injury. He finished third on the team with 51 total tackles, including 15.5 for a loss and six sacks. He forced three fumbles, recovering one, and broke up three passes. The Liberty League Defensive Player of the Year recorded a season-high nine tackles at then nationally-ranked Ithaca. In Hobart’s 10-9 win over NCAA quarterfinalist RPI, Forde made eight tackles, including a pair of sacks.
In 39 career games, Forde produced 190 tackles, 43 for loss, 14.5 sacks, eight pass breakups, seven forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and three interceptions. He ranks sixth on Hobart’s career tackles for loss list and 11th in career sacks. Forde was named to three All-America teams in 2019 in addition to earning the 2019 Liberty League Defensive Player of the Year award. He was a three-time all-conference selection, garnering first team praise in 2019 and 2021.
The Liberty League Offensive Player of the Year, Denham was the only running back in the conference to go over 1,000 yards this season, gaining 1,168 yards on 213 carries (5.5 ypc). He was second in the conference with 13 rushing touchdowns, trailing only teammate Rayshawn Boswell. Denham also caught 12 passes for 84 yards and returned 10 kickoffs for 220 yards and a touchdown. He rushed for a season-high 213 yards and three touchdowns against Buffalo State. He picked up 159 yards and three more TDs the following week at Rochester. Denham earned first team all-conference honors at both running back and as a return specialist this year.
In 22 career games, Denham has 272 carries for 1,415 yards (5.2 ypc) and 15 touchdowns. He’s caught 24 passes for 150 yards (6.2 ypc) and a touchdown. He has 22 kickoff returns for 522 yards (23.7 ypr) and two touchdowns.
Leake is making his second appearance on the D3football.com all-region teams after earning second team recognition in 2019. This season, he recorded 31 tackles, eight pass breakups and three interceptions. Leake had three tackles and an interception in the end zone in the win over RPI. He logged a career-high three pass breakups at Rochester and notched a season-high five tackles twice, at Ithaca and vs. St. Lawrence.
A three-time All-Liberty League selection, Leake appeared in 39 career games, registering 127 tackles, 23 pass breakups and seven interceptions. His 30 career passes defended are 12th on Hobart’s career list.
Hobart’s starting right tackle, Paskewitz cleared the way for a Hobart offense ranked 3rd in the nation in sacks allowed (0.45/g), 11th in tackles for loss allowed (3.36/g) and 20th in rushing (237.5 ypg). He did not allow a sack this season. The Statesmen rushed for a season-high 346 yards against Buffalo State, eighth on Hobart’s single game list, averaging 8.6 yards per carry against the Bengals, second on the program’s single game list. Paskewitz helped Hobart gain 509 yards of total offense against Keystone, 13th on the single game list.
The 2021 first team All-Liberty League pick has appeared in 23 career games.
Hobart was 9-2 this season, winning the ECAC Asa S. Bushnell Bowl. Hobart ranks 11th in the nation in team passing efficiency defense (95.74), 14th in scoring defense (12.6 ppg), 14th in passing yards allowed (152.5), 16th in third down percentage defense (.286) and 17th in total defense (252.9).
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].