Hobart football mounted a second-half comeback attempt Saturday afternoon, but the Statesmen could not complete it, falling to Ithaca 27-20. Hobart dropped to 2-3 overall and 0-2 in conference play, while Ithaca improved to 4-1 and 3-0.
Jeremy Weiss sparked the comeback in the third quarter when he connected with Johnny Harding for a 99-yard touchdown, the longest pass in program history. The play broke the previous Hobart record of 96 yards, which Weiss threw to Jordan Nolan against St. Lawrence last season.
Weiss completed 13 of 26 passes for 287 yards and a touchdown without throwing an interception. Harding finished with three catches for 118 yards and the touchdown, while E.J. Taylor carried 17 times for 97 yards and a touchdown and added four receptions for 38 yards.
Hobart trailed 20-3 at halftime after Ithaca scored on three of its first four scoring drives. The Statesmen began chipping away in the third quarter, with Weiss’ touchdown to Harding cutting the deficit to 10 points before Owen McNulty added a 24-yard field goal early in the fourth.
Ithaca answered with an 89-yard touchdown drive to extend its advantage to 27-13, but Hobart responded quickly. Weiss found Marcus Peterson for a 44-yard gain before Taylor scored on a 12-yard run to bring the Statesmen within one score with 7:46 remaining.
Hobart forced a punt with 1:50 left and drove to its own 43-yard line, but a fourth-down incompletion with 36 seconds remaining ended the comeback attempt.
Tyler Cumming led Hobart with nine tackles and recorded one of the Statesmen’s four sacks.
Harding also moved into sole possession of third place on Hobart’s career touchdown reception list with his 22nd.
Hobart will host Union on Saturday, October 10, 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.