Box Score

TROY, N.Y. – Hobart College scored three rushing touchdowns and took advantage of four fumble recoveries to defeat Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), 24-17, in the Liberty League opener for both teams at ‘86 Field. The Statesmen, the 19th-ranked team in Division III, held off the Engineers to improve to 3-0 overall. Rensselaer, the 24th-ranked team, falls to 2-1.

Hobart took advantage of a Rensselaer fumble to move on top with 6:23 remaining in the first quarter. Senior running back Doug Blakowski (Elma, NY/Iroquis) broke through a hole on the right side and ran 27 yards to cap a 4-play, 45-yard drive. Freshman kicker Denis Avdic (Utica, NY/Utica-Proctor) added the extra point for a 7-0 lead.

Rensselaer took advantage of its only turnover of the day to get on the scoreboard in the second quarter to put the Engineers to 7-3. Senior Drew Taranto (Baldwinsville, NY/C.W. Baker) kicked a 37-yard field goal with 9:01 left in the second quarter. The drive was set up by an interception by senior Brett Perron (Windham, NH/Central Catholic) at midfield. Hobart got the three points back when Avdic capped a 16-play, 77-yard drive that lasted 7:47 with a 20-yard field goal and the Statesmen led, 10-3, at halftime.

Hobart went ahead 17-3 on a 1-yard plunge by Blakowski with 7:13 remaining in the third quarter. The Statesmen gained possession when senior Evan Hoffman (Fairfield, CT/Fairfield Prep) fell on a fumbled punt deep in RPI territory.

The Statesmen took advantage for a third time on an RPI fumble in the fourth quarter. Junior running back Don Gilardi (Rochester, NY/Eastridge) put the visitors ahead by three touchdowns, 24-3, when he scored on a four-yard run to the left side.

Senior running back Jay Bernardo (East Greenbush, NY/LaSalle Institute) scored from one-yard out with 6:29 left in the fourth quarter to pull the Engineers to within 14 points. The drive covered 13-plays and 73 yards and took 5:54 off the clock. An 11-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Jimmy Robertson (Yonkers, NY/Iona Prep) to senior tight end Jon Branche (Albany, NY/Colonie) pulled the home team to within seven points, 24-17, with 2:20 remaining in the fourth quarter. Hobart gained possession on the ensuing kickoff and ran out the clock.

Hobart finished with 147 rushing yards, including 88 from Blakowski, and 115 yards through the air. Senior quarterback Shawn Mizro (Newark, NY/Newark) completed 11-of-18 passes for 115 yards and an interception. Defensively, senior linebacker Nolan Robinson (Johnson City, NY/Johnson City) made 11 tackles, including six unassisted and one for a loss of one yard. Hoffman finished with nine stops, including four solos, with a forced fumble and the fumble recovery.

For RPI, junior Tom Rayhill (Grand Island, NY/Grand Island) had 11 tackles (3 solos) while Robertson completed 20-of-34 passes for 228 yards and a touchdown. Bernardo rushed 23 times for 81 yards and a touchdown – the 13th straight game he has run for a TD.

Rensselaer returns to action next Saturday when it hosts Becker College in a non-league game at 1pm at ’86 Field. Hobart hosts WPI in a Liberty League game next Saturday at 1pm.