Utica Notches 10-6 Victory Over Hobart
GENEVA, N.Y. – Utica claimed a hard-fought 10-6 victory over Hobart in the ECAC Clayton Chapman Bowl Saturday afternoon.
The Pioneers move to 9-2 on the season while Hobart drops to 8-3.
It marked the fourth consecutive bowl invitation by Hobart. The contest was the first time the team hosted a bowl game since 2003. The victory by Utica was the first in the all-time series between the programs.
Hobart took the opening possession and took over eight minutes off the clock on a 17-play, 77-yard drive. Johnny Colombi hit Rayshawn Boswell for an eight-yard gain to get things going. Moments later, Boswell galloped 12 yards to the Hobart 46-yard line.
On third-and-six, Colombi found Peyton Cayea for a 20-yard completion. The Statesman got to the 16-yard line before Tobias Wefering nailed a 23-yard field goal for a 3-0 advantage.
The Pioneers started on their own 27-yard line and promptly marched down the field. On second-and-seven from their own 41, Brett Fuller found Peyton Ausfield for a nine-yard gain. Facing a third-and-10 from its own 26-yard line, Utica was unable to complete the pass, forcing a 43-yard field goal from Corey Lichtman to knot the score at 3-3.
The visitors forced a fumble that Anthony Fasano recovered on the 25-yard line with 12:38 to play before halftime. Utica recorded an 11-play, 45-yard drive to the Hobart 29-yard line. However, Lichtman missed a 47-yard attempt, leaving the defensive contest tied.
The Pioneers’ defense stepped up moments later as Eli Douglas intercepted a pass. However, Utica was forced to punt with 1:35 to go.
Starting on its own 45-yard line, Colombi hit Kevin Christ for an eight-yard gain. The big play was when Colombi once again hit Boswell for 11 yards. Moments later, Wafering connected on a 40-yard field goal for a 6-3 edge at halftime.
Utica had the ball to start the third quarter and moved into Hobart territory, but penalties derailed the drive. After being pinned deep in its own territory, a 19-yard catch by Chris Bartosic pushed the home team to the 32-yard line. However, Hobart a penalty sent the team back and it was forced to punt.
Neither team was able to get much traction until late in the stanza. The Pioneers started on their own 38-yard line. Looking at first-and-10 on the 50-yard line, Brett Fuller found Tyshawn Taylor for a 41-yard gain. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Sam Florio went to the left for a one-yard score and a 10-6 advantage.
With 12:28 to play in the fourth, Hobart was intercepted, and Utica embarked on a 14-play, 69-yard drive that took 8:51 off the clock. The Statesman managed to make a fourth-down stop on fourth-and-goal from the two-yard line, getting the ball back with 3:37 to play in the game.
Facing a fourth-and-18 moments after a sack, Hobart was forced to punt with 2:26 to go and Utica managed to run out the clock.
For the game, Fuller led the victors by completing 17-of-24 for 135 yards. Tyshawn Taylor led the rushing attack with two receptions for 45 yards. Matt Brantley had 23 rushing attempts for 92 yards while Florio scored the touchdown. Defensively, Anthony Novello had a team-best eight tackles. Terrance Toussaint and Eli Douglas each had an interception in the win.
Colombi led Hobart with 125 yards through the air on 12 completions. Boswell hauled in seven pases for 74 yards. Tim Denham Jr. had a team-best 35 rushing yards on eight carries. Defensively, Joe McCoy and Anthony Romano shared team-high accolades with nine stops apiece.