GENEVA, N.Y.—The Hobart football team got a stellar performance from its defense, record-breaking efforts from its special teams and points in every quarter to earn a 16-7 Liberty League win over Ithaca this afternoon. The Statesmen never trailed in snapping the Bombers 13-game Liberty League winning streak.
On a perfect fall afternoon in front of an animated Homecoming & Family Weekend Crowd at Urick Stadium, Hobart earned its first win over Ithaca since 2016.
Junior punter Vicente Lyon broke the Hobart records for longest punt and highest punting average in a game, while senior kicker Tobias Wefering tied the record for field goals made in a game with three.
FOR THE RECORD
- Ithaca 1-3, 0-1 Liberty League
- Hobart 4-1, 1-0 Liberty League
TEAM COMPARISON
- Rushing Offense: Ithaca 217, Hobart 158
- Passing Offense: Ithaca 96, Hobart 117
- Total Offense: Ithaca 313, Hobart 265
- Red Zone: Ithaca 1-for-3, Hobart 3-for-3
- Turnovers: Ithaca 2, Hobart 2
HOBART LEADERS
- Rushing: E.J. Taylor 18 att, 99 yds, TD
- Passing: Tru Styles 3-for-7 for 50 yds
- Receiving: Ahmad Crowell 3 rec, 91 yds
- Tackles: Anthony Romano 16, 0.5 sack, INT
ITHACA LEADERS
- Rushing: Jalen Leonard-Osbourne 25 att, 144 yds
- Passing: Matthew Parker 9-for-18 for 76 yds, INT
- Receiving: Sam Kline 2 rec, 26 yds
- Tackles: Jake Connolly 12, 1.0 sack, INT
THE FIRST STAND
The Bombers got the ball first and drove down the field to set up a third-and-goal from the 1. Linebackers Mike McGhee and Vincent Giordano dropped Ithaca for a 1-yard loss and the Bombers opted to go for it on fourth down. McGhee stood up the ball carrier at the 1, giving the ball over to the Statesmen offense.
THE FIRST RECORD
Hobart went three-and-out, but punter Vicente Lyon broke the first record of the day, launching an 86-yard punt that pinned Ithaca back at its own 13. He eclipsed his own record (73 yds) set back in 2022. He also eclipsed the Hobart record for highest punting average in a game, averaging 61.0 yards today. The previous mark was 53.0 set by senior Tobias Wefering at Ithaca last season.
THE FIRST POINTS
The Statesmen defense forced the visitors to go three-and-out and Hobart took over this time in Ithaca territory. Six plays later, running back E.J. Taylor scored on a 2-yard run.
Hobart added to its lead early in the second quarter. First-year Johnny Harding's 17-yard punt return set the Statesmen up just short of midfield. Seven plays later, Wefering kicked a 30-yard field goal to give the home team a 10-0 advantage.
POINTS OFF TURNOVERS
Ithaca's only points of the game came off one of two interceptions thrown by Hobart starter Johnny Colombi. Two plays after Romano intercepted Ithaca starter Collin Schumm, Connolly picked off Colombi and ran it back 19 yards to the Hobart 36.
The Bombers covered all 36 yards on the ground with Leonard-Osbourne posting the big gain on a 20-yard run and Parker finishing the drive from 10 yards out.
Hobart took a 10-7 lead into halftime. It marked the first time Ithaca has trailed at the half this season.
ANOTHER THREE, ANOTHER STAND
Hobart got the ball to start the third quarter and moved into field goal range thanks in no small part to a 48-yard run by Taylor. Wefering kicked his second field goal of the game from 22 yards away to make it a 13-7 game.
Like its first possession of the first half, Ithaca drove down the field and threatened to take the lead. Despite having first-and-goal from the 3, the Bombers' offense again left the field with no points after Nick Provenzano and Dante Randle stuffed Schumm on fourth-and-goal from the 1.
FINAL FRAME
Hobart's defense was in lockdown mode in the fourth quarter. The Statesmen didn't allow the Bombers to advance beyond the Hobart 45 in the final 15 minutes.
Midway through the frame, Wefering kicked his third field goal of the game and 24th of his career. The 31-yarder moved him within seven of the Hobart career record.
With 62 seconds left, first-year defensive back Ryan Van Tassel iced the win with his second interception of the season.
GAME NOTES
- Romano began the day 21st on Hobart's career tackles list with 213. With his career-high matching 16 today, he moved up into a tie for 16th place with David Szentesy '04.
- Senior linebacker Jaimen Bliss began the day four stops away from becoming the 29th Hobart player with 200 in his career. He got all of that and more, finishing with a career-high 14 tackles. Bliss now has 210 and sits in 22nd place, five behind Kyle O'Laughlin '11.
SO LONG FOR NOW
- Hobart will begin a two-game road trip next week, visiting Buffalo State (2-2, 0-1) for a 3 p.m. kickoff on Saturday, Oct. 12.