GENEVA, N.Y. - The Hobart College football team took a 14-7 lead into halftime and scored on its first four possessions of the second half on its way to a 41-27 Liberty League victory over Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) on Boswell Field. The Statesmen improved to 5-1 overall, 1-1 in conference play, while the Engineers slipped to 4-2, 1-1.
 
Hobart's defense limited the visitors to just 110 yards (46 run, 64 pass) and one touchdown through three quarters. The Statesmen were helped by three takeaways, intercepting junior quarterback George Marinopoulos twice and recovering a fumble.
 
Hobart junior linebacker Emmett Forde produced a game-high 12 tackles, including 3.5 for loss. His third quarter sack of Marinopoulos jarred the ball loose and junior defensive tackle corralled the fumble for the Statesmen. Free safeties senior Andrew Koonz and sophomore Jay McCoy each had an interception.
 
On offense, Hobart got big statistical efforts from the senior trio of quarterback Ryan Hofmann and wide receivers Jake Catalioto and Ray Conley. Hofmann was 19-of-35 passing for 294 yards with three touchdowns, Catalioto pulled in a game-high seven passes for 69 yards and Conley caught six passes for a game-high 111 yards and a TD. 
 
Marinopoulos completed 18-of-39 passes for 220 yards and a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns. Junior wide receiver Vinnie McDonald caught a team-high six passes for a team-high 105 yards and a TD. Sophomore running back Dylan Burnett rushed for a game-high 50 yards and a TD on 10 carries.
 
Senior defensive end Magnus Wamble led the Engineers with seven tackles, including two for loss.
 
After a scoreless first quarter, Hobart got on the board first thanks in part to a stout play by the defense. RPI elected to go for it on fourth-and-1 from the Hobart 40, but senior defensive end Collin Hudgins stuffed the run attempt for no gain to give the Statesmen offense the ball. Seven plays and 60 yards later, senior running back Brian Haeffner scampered into the end zone from 16 yards out for a 7-0 lead.
 
The Engineers tied the game by taking advantage of a Hobart fumble, caused by junior defensive lineman Conor Ahern and recovered by senior linebacker John Sadak at the Hobart 12. On first down, RPI ran a reverse option play that saw slot receiver Maliek Kelly complete a 12-yard TD pass to McDonald.
 
Hobart reclaimed the lead on a 65-yard pass from Hofmann to junior Mike Giacobbe. 
 
The third quarter began with a 10-play, 85-yard Statesmen drive that culminated in a 10-yard leaping grab by Giacobbe for a 21-7 lead.
 
On RPI's second down play, Koonz intercepted Marinopoulos and returned it 16 yards to the RPI 39. Four plays later, sophomore quarterback David Krewson scored on a sweep around the right side for a 28-7 lead. After a three-and-out by the Engineers, Hobart again drove into the red zone, but this time settled for a 35-yard field goal by junior Kyle Hackett for a 31-7 lead with 16 seconds left in the third quarter.
 
RPI's ensuing possession lasted just five seconds. On first down, Forde strip-sacked Marinopoulos to give the ball back to the Hobart offense at the RPI 21. On third-and-five from the 16, Hofmann hit Conley in the end zone to stretch the lead to 38-7.
 
The Engineers were able to post three touchdowns in the final 11 minutes to keep things interesting, but RPI failed to recover a pair of on-side kick attempts.
 
The win evens the all-time series at 31-31-1. Hobart improved to 16-13-1 on Boswell Field against RPI and 18-1 when scoring at least 30 points against the Engineers.
 
Hobart travels to Ithaca (5-0, 2-0) on Saturday, Oct. 19. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. RPI is off next week.