Hobart football improved to 2-0 Saturday afternoon, using a dominant defensive performance to defeat Brockport 27-14 at Boswell Field.
The Statesmen forced five interceptions and held Brockport to just two conversions on 10 third-down opportunities. Hobart also turned those takeaways into 17 points, with senior cornerback Zeshan Dixon delivering the biggest play of the afternoon with a 67-yard interception return for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
Dixon was at the center of Hobart’s defensive effort throughout the game. He finished with a team-high 13 tackles, a career-best three interceptions and a pass breakup. Sophomore cornerback Isa Abdus-Salaam recorded three tackles, a sack, an interception and two pass breakups, while first-year linebacker Nate Bush added an interception, two tackles and a pass breakup.
Hobart took advantage of its opportunities offensively as well. Senior running back E.J. Taylor carried 28 times for 88 yards and a touchdown, while sophomore quarterback Aidan Conrath completed 15 of 27 passes for 142 yards and a touchdown. Junior wide receiver Johnny Harding caught five passes for 42 yards, including a 3-yard touchdown with 19 seconds remaining in the first half.
First-year kicker Owen McNulty made the first two field goals of his collegiate career, connecting from 42 and 26 yards, while graduate student punter Vicente Lyon averaged 42.1 yards on seven punts and placed three inside the Brockport 20-yard line.
Brockport cut Hobart’s lead to six points early in the third quarter, but the Statesmen defense shut down the Golden Eagles from there. Dixon intercepted Brockport twice in the fourth quarter, including his game-sealing touchdown return with 1:45 remaining.
Head coach Kevin DeWall earned his 55th victory at Hobart, tying Vincent Welch for third place on the program’s career wins list. Dixon also became the first Statesman with three interceptions in a game since Lance Boyington did so against Lycoming on November 22, 2008.
Hobart returns to action Saturday, September 19, at 1 p.m. against Utica University in Utica.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.