Hobart defeated SUNY Maritime 42-14 to claim the ECAC James Lynah Bowl title.
Hobart Wins ECAC James Lynah Bowl
THROGGS NECK, N.Y. - Hobart College won the 2025 ECAC James Lynah Bowl on Saturday, defeating SUNY Maritime 42-14 away from home. The Statesmen improved to 6-5 on the year, while the Privateers finished their campaign with a record of 5-6.
Hobart set the tone on the first possession of the game. The Statesman began with the ball on their 34 yard line and marched 66 yards in 6 plays and 3:17 of game time, culminating with an 11-yard rushing touchdown by junior backup quarterback Tru Styles, his second rushing score of the season and first since Sept. 13.
Three possessions that ended in punts followed, one by the Statesmen and two by the Privateers. Maritime pinned Hobart at its own six yard line at the beginning of the Statesmen’s third drive with 3:27 remaining in the opening quarter.
An eight-play, 94 yard march followed that spilled into the second quarter, capped off by a 10-yard rushing score courtesy of junior running back EJ Taylor, who entered the contest leading Hobart with 1,265 yards on the ground and 16 rushing touchdowns. The Statesmen held a 14-0 lead less than one minute into the second frame.
Hobart’s next possession ended in an interception. Maritime’s Nazir Kinsey picked off Jeremy Weiss, giving the Privateers the ball at their own 33 yard line. It was the junior’s second interception of the season. The Privateers then embarked on a 13-play, 67-yard drive and found the end zone when quarterback Will Pickett took it in himself from one yard out, cutting their deficit to 14-7. Pickett went 3/3 for 49 yards through the air on that possession and recorded his team-leading 11th rushing touchdown of the season.
The Statesmen answered 1:40 before halftime. Weiss found Marcus Peterson for a 38-yard score, the first of the day through the air for either team. It sent Hobart into halftime ahead 21-7.
After forcing a three-and-out on Maritime’s opening possession of the second half, Hobart added to its lead. Taylor recorded his second rushing score of the game, this one an 18-yarder which finished a 9-play, 70-yard drive that took 5:27. Taylor bumped his season total to 18 touchdowns on the ground, which brought the junior into a tie for 7th in all of Division III.
The Statesmen’s defense then forced another three-and-out and, on the ensuing possession, Weiss threw his second touchdown pass of the game, this one for 30 yards to sophomore wide receiver Johnny Harding. Hobart entered the fourth quarter with a 35-7 advantage.
Each team posted one score in the final frame. Weiss made it three touchdown passes on the day for Hobart, finding Harding for a second time early in the fourth quarter. Harding finished his season with a team-leading 10 receiving scores, while Weiss closed his yearly ledger with 15 touchdown passes overall and 13 in his last five games.
Pickett found wide receiver Nate Casaburi for Maritime’s second touchdown in the final minute of play before Hobart closed out a 42-14 victory.
Weiss was 8-of-13 through the air, throwing for 186 yards and three touchdowns. Pickett finished 20-of-35 for 215 yards and two total touchdowns, one passing and one rushing. Taylor posted 19 carries and 172 yards and one catch for eight yards, leading the Statesmen with 180 total yards to go along with two rushing touchdowns. He earned ECAC James Lynah Bowl MVP honors. Casaburi paced the Privateers with 123 total yards, all of which came in the receiving category, and one touchdown.