Box Score GENEVA, N.Y. -- Junior defensive back Eric Newsome's third quarter interception return for a touchdown started a 28-0 scoring run that led Hobart College to a 35-7 victory over Franklin & Marshall College. The win is the third straight for the Statesmen, who improve to 3-2 on the season, while the loss is the eighth straight for the Diplomats, who fall to 0-6 overall.
With the score tied at seven in the later stages of the third quarter, Newsome (Albion/Albion, N.Y.) stepped in front of a Mark Rowand pass and returned it 60 yards for a 14-7 Hobart lead. The Statesmen easily could have trailed by the same score on the previous play. On second-and-11, tight end Andy Gilburg got behind the Hobart secondary, but could not hang on to what would have been at least a 25-yard pick up and possibly a touchdown.
Each of the Statesmen's next six possessions started in F&M territory, with three ending in touchdowns. Senior tight end Rich Ganci (Canisius/Buffalo, N.Y.) finished with three catches for 25 yards, including his first career touchdown midway through the fourth quarter. Junior wide receiver Scott Yoder (Wyoming Seminary/Kutztown, Pa.) extended his games with a catch streak to 16 with Hobart's final touchdown, a 2-yard completion from junior Dan Birdsall (Southampton/Water Mill, N.Y.). Birdsall finished 10-of-21 for 103 yards and three touchdowns.
The Statesmen opened the scoring midway through the second quarter by dipping into their bag of tricks, not once but twice. Facing fourth-and-five from the Diplomat's 25, Hobart lined up for a field goal, but senior holder Kevin DeWall (Waterloo/Waterloo, N.Y.) rushed around end for a 20-yard gain. On the next play, junior running back Keith Brandon (Northfield-Mt. Hermon/Jamaica, N.Y.) took the pitch from Birdsall and headed around end. Once he cleared the tackles, he tossed a 5-yard TD strike to junior full back Kris Smith (Northfield-Mt. Hermon/Abingdon, Mass.). Smith finished with three carries for 9 yards and four catches for 51 yards and two touchdowns.
Defensively, junior James Woodard (Elmira Free Academy/Elmira, N.Y.) made 10 tackles, including four for a loss and a sack, while senior Aaron Backhaus (Olean/Olean, N.Y.) made nine tackles and an interception. Joe Gillespie paced the Diplomats with 15 tackles and two sacks.
The Statesmen return to action on Sat., Oct. 23, at Alfred University. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
--HWS SPORTS--
