Hobart football opened its season with a 24-17 victory over Alfred on Friday night, using a pair of pivotal plays just 22 seconds apart early in the second half to take control.
The Statesmen trailed 7-0 after Alfred put together an 81-yard opening drive that ended with Tommy Nyquist’s 1-yard touchdown run. Hobart answered on the first play of the second quarter when Aidan Conrath connected with Johnny Harding for a 1-yard touchdown, tying the game at 7-7.
After the teams remained tied at halftime, Hobart grabbed the momentum in the third quarter. Vicente Lyon’s 42-yard punt pinned Alfred at its own 4-yard line before Hunter Vos and Billy Brosko combined for a sack in the end zone, giving the Statesmen a 9-7 lead.
On Hobart’s next offensive snap, Conrath found E.J. Taylor on a screen pass that Taylor turned into a 72-yard touchdown. Owen McNulty’s extra point extended the lead to 16-7.
Alfred answered with a field goal, but Taylor gave Hobart additional breathing room early in the fourth quarter with a 6-yard touchdown run on fourth down before adding the two-point conversion.
The Saxons later cut the deficit to seven on Matt Parker’s 10-yard touchdown pass to Cameron Lew, but Hobart’s defense held firm late. Alfred reached the Hobart 11-yard line after recovering a fumble, only for the Statesmen to force a turnover on downs with less than a minute remaining.
Taylor rushed 21 times for 137 yards and a touchdown while adding two receptions for 78 yards and another score. Conrath completed 10 of 17 passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 48 yards.
Brosko and Vos each recorded two sacks, while Brosko finished with seven tackles.
Hobart is 1-0 and will host SUNY Brockport on Saturday, September 12, at 1 p.m.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.