Hobart football nearly erased a 23-point halftime deficit Saturday afternoon, but its comeback effort ended with a 36-29 loss at Utica. The Statesmen scored 22 points in the fourth quarter and twice pulled within one touchdown, but the Pioneers held on to remain unbeaten.
Hobart finished with 376 yards of total offense, including 261 through the air and 115 on the ground. Utica generated 397 yards, with 319 coming from its passing attack.
Senior running back E.J. Taylor led Hobart with 200 all-purpose yards. He rushed 16 times for 101 yards and a touchdown, added five receptions for 99 yards and another score, and converted a two-point attempt. His 47-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter helped the Statesmen get on the scoreboard.
Sophomore quarterback Aidan Conrath completed 17 of 30 passes for career highs of 261 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. Senior tight end Timothy McKeever caught five passes for 85 yards and scored the first two touchdowns of his collegiate career.
Utica opened the scoring with a late first-quarter touchdown and added two touchdowns, a field goal and a fumble-return score in the second quarter to take a 23-0 lead into halftime. Hobart missed a 44-yard field goal during the second quarter and also committed a costly fumble that Utica’s Jack Lamphere returned 24 yards for a touchdown.
Taylor’s third-quarter touchdown cut the deficit to 16 points, but Utica answered with another long scoring drive. Hobart then mounted its late rally, with Conrath throwing touchdown passes to McKeever from 10 and 27 yards before connecting with Taylor for a 69-yard score on fourth-and-8 with 2:04 remaining.
Utica stopped Hobart on downs during its final possession to secure the victory.
Senior cornerback Zeshan Dixon recorded 10 tackles, one sack and a forced fumble. Hobart fell to 2-1, while Utica improved to 3-0.
Hobart opens Liberty League play Saturday, September 26, at noon against Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.