GENEVA, N.Y.—The No. 23 Hobart football team got a stout performance from its defense and a career day from its quarterback to open the season with a 36-6 victory over Alfred on Boswell Field Friday night. The Statesmen held the Saxons to 209 yards while Hobart senior quarterback David Krewson completed a career-high 20 passes for a career-high 258 yards and a career-high four touchdowns.
“I think our defense played really well,” said Head Coach Kevin DeWall ’00. “Coach Green and the defensive staff had a good game plan. They did a really good job of holding them down.”
First Strike
- After the game’s first five drives ended in punts, Hobart put together a 7-play, 79-yard drive that opened the scoring. Krewson and wide-out Rane Daramola connected on a 28-yard scoring pass with 1:25 remaining in the first quarter.
Wild First Half Finish
- Hobart missed a chance late in the first half to extend its lead when Tobias Wefering missed a 42-yard field goal attempt. The kick had plenty of leg but was pushed just outside the right upright.
- Just over two minutes later, Alfred defensive back Adam Mietz stepped in front of a Krewson pass and returned it to the Hobart 11. Running back Max Freeman IV scored the Saxons’ first TD on a sweep right on the very next play. Joel Kraft blocked the extra point to keep Hobart in the lead 7-6 with 34 seconds left until halftime.
- Drew Walsh returned the ensuing kickoff 23 yards into Alfred territory and two plays later Krewson threw his second TD of the game, this time hitting Chris Bartosic on a 33-yard toss with 14 seconds remaining. The two-point conversion run by Rayshawn Boswell gave the Statesmen a 15-6 lead at the half.
Faster Start
- Unlike the slow-starting first half, Hobart got the ball first after halftime and promptly executed a 10-play 55-yard scoring drive that Boswell capped with a 17-yard TD reception off a screen pass from Krewson. After the extra point, Hobart led 22-6 less than five minutes into the third quarter.
Coup de Grace
- Hobart stretched its lead to 29-6 with a 12-play, 75-yard drive that drained 7:19 off the game clock I the fourth quarter. Alex LaBella caught Krewson’s final TD pass of the night, a 3-yard back shoulder throw.
- The defense forced Alfred to go three and out and then Jaimen Bliss blocked the Saxons’ punt and Mike McGhee recovered and set the offense up at the Alfred 3.
- Tim Denham Jr. rushed for his first touchdown of the year on the next play to cap the night’s scoring.
Key Stat
- Hobart was 10-of-16 on third down, while Alfred was just 3-of-14.
Notable Performances
- Linebacker Anthony Romano had a team-high 10 tackles, including a game-high four for loss and two sacks.
- Punter Vicente Lyon averaged 42.6 yards per punt, dropping two of his five kicks inside the Alfred 20.
Up Next
Hobart will make its first road trip of the season, visiting Morrisville State on Saturday, Sept. 10. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m.
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