Box Score CARLISLE, Pa. -- The Statesmen fell prey to the big play in their season opener, a 32-20 loss at Dickinson College. The Red Devils threw touchdown passes of 54 and 41 yards and returned an interception 98 yards for a touchdown.

Junior quarterback Dan Birdsall threw for 263 yards and two touchdowns, but was intercepted twice, including a pass with time running out in the first half that was returned 98 yards for a score. Birdsall set a Hobart record with 46 pass attempts, breaking Greg Helmer's 1996 mark by four.

After Dickinson converted its opening drive into a 25-yard field goal, Hobart was forced to punt on its opening drive, but Dwyne Shoemaker fumbled the return and junior Kris Smith recovered on the Dickinson 26. The Statesmen took their only lead of the game three plays later, when Birdsall found junior wide receiver Scott Yoder for a 4-yard touchdown pass and a 7-3 lead. Yoder finished with six catches for 93 yards.

The Hobart defense stopped the Red Devils on their next possession, but the Statesmen fumbled the punt return, setting up a 54-yard touchdown pass by Jeff Sturgeon to Mike Bright. Dickinson led 17-7 at the break.

Both teams went three plays and out on their first possession of the second half. After another Statesmen punt, the Red Devils used one play to cover 41 yards, another pass from Sturgeon to Bright, to extend their lead to 23-7.

A Dickinson field goal midway through the third quarter made it 26-7 with 7:41 to play in the frame. Hobart answered with an impressive 14-play, 78-yard drive that ended with a 4-yard touchdown run by junior running back Keith Brandon.

The Statesmen trailed 29-14 in the fourth quarter when Brandon caught a 64-yard touchdown pass to pull Hobart to within nine. Brandon finished with 92 yards rushing and four catches for 87 yards. The Red Devils tacked on a late field goal to close out the scoring, 32-20.

Junior defensive tackle Rich Barlette led the Hobart defense with 10 tackles (5 solo), while junior defensive end Rob Gould made eight stops (3 solo).

First-year Chris Hanly earned UCAA Rookie of the Week honors after registering six tackles, including four solos in the Statesmen's 32-20 loss at Dickinson. Three of the tackles were on plays that resulted in no gain, while a fourth went for just one yard. Brandon and Barlette were both named to the UCAA Weekly honor roll.

The Statesmen will have a week off to prepare for Union College on Sept. 25. Hobart will host the Dutchmen at Boswell Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Scoring 1 2 3 4 Final
Hobart (0-1) 7 0 7 6 20
Dickinson (1-0) 10 7 9 6 32

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