What does 12 consecutive winning seasons, five straight NCAA Playoff bids, and back-to-back-to-back conference championships get you? If you're the Hobart football team, a spot in three preseason top 20 polls and a target painted squarely on your back.

And 15th-year Head Coach Mike Cragg wouldn't have it any other way.

His squad went 9-2 in 2008 to raise his career mark at Hobart to 98-44 (.690). No former Statesmen boss has more wins and only George Davis (1971-76) has a higher winning percentage (.694).

Last year's team reached the second round of the NCAA Playoffs for the fourth time in program history, dispatching Lycoming 33-15 in its opener. Hobart's national championship hopes were dashed the following weekend at eventual national champion, Mount Union.

The Statesmen will welcome back 39 lettermen, including 12 starters. That continuity combined with the program's sustained success earned Hobart a top 20 ranking by D3football.com (15th), The Sporting News (17th), and USA Today (16th).

The defense—which ranked fourth in the nation in pass efficiency defense (88.52 opp. PER), 40th in scoring defense (17.64), and 43rd in total defense (293.9 yds/g)—returns seven starters including conference and regional rookie of the year cornerback Drake Woodard, as well as all-conference honorees defensive end Kwame Lovell and linebacker Ryan Robinson.

The four starters that graduated—tackle Ryan Aruck (88 tkls, 10 TFL), free safety Lance Boyington (41 tkls, 8 INT), inside linebacker Justin Hager (a school record 134 tkls), and inside linebacker Jeff Sanders (105 tkls)—leave enormous shoes to fill, but Defensive Coordinator Scott Yoder feels he has the talent and depth to absorb those losses without a noticeable drop off in performance. Aruck and Hager earned All-American honors from D3football.com.

The offense will take a bigger hit from graduation, losing six starters including All-Liberty League selections tackle Mike Condon, quarterback Rich Doyle (1,965 pass yds, 53.3 comp%, 17 TDs), and tight end Matt Duliba (46 rec, 564 yds, 4 TDs). The Statesmen gained the most first downs (200) and allowed the fewest sacks (1.18/g) in the Liberty League last season, but ranked in the middle of the conference in scoring (5th), passing (6th), and rushing (4th).

Losing that many starters from a middle of the pack offense might concern some coaches, but Hobart Offensive Coordinator Kevin DeWall is a master of finding ways to win. Over the past five seasons, the Statesmen are 15-5 in games decided by eight points or less, including a 5-1 mark in 2008.

Exactly who will be the movers and shakers for the 2009 squad will be determined on the field, but here a position-by-position look at Hobart heading into the preseason:

DEFENSIVE LINE

For the past several seasons, the defensive line has boasted the most depth and talent of any position on the field for the Statesmen and this year will be no different. Three senior starters return to the lineup, ends Tony Guidetti and Lovell and tackle Mike Faracca.

Faracca is a three-year starter, poised to step out of the oversized shadow of Aruck. The latter deserved every bit of the recognition he received, but Faracca's success was overlooked as a result. The 6-foot, 260-pounder regularly challenges two blockers, keeping the linebackers free to fill the gaps, blowing up running plays or creating pressure in the backfield on passing plays. Faracca was at his best in the playoffs, recording a career-high eight tackles at Mount Union.

Seniors Mike Arduini and Anthony Shaw and sophomore Dane Wilcoxen will compete for the starting spot vacated by Aruck. Arduini and Shaw combined for 30 tackles as reserves in '08. Wilcoxen saw limited playing time as a first-year as he learned Hobart's system. Regardless of who starts, all three figure to take on expanded roles as the coaches plan to rotate tackles more liberally without Aruck.

The Statesmen could also get help at the tackle spots from first-years Nick Auriemma and Jordan Sisti.

A two-year starter and a two-time all-conference pick, Lovell didn't start until Week 3 last season due to injury, but still racked up 41 tackles. Equal parts strength and speed, he turned in a season-high six tackles, including a sack, in Hobart's last second victory at Rensselaer.

At the other end of the line, Guidetti will look to build on the success of his first season in the starting lineup. He started all 11 games, recording 24 tackles, including six for a loss and 2.5 sacks. Guidetti produced a season-high five stops in the victory against Susquehanna.

Junior James Rayhill, Hobart's best rusher off the edge, will play in passing situations. He missed four games last season due to injury, but is back to the form that saw him log four sacks in 2007. Classmate Chris Luber (11 tkls in '08) brings depth to the position.

The X-factor at end is sophomore Joe Yanaitis. He was lost for the year to injury in Week 1 last season. The coaching staff believes he has a lot of potential and will be a great contributor. The only question is, how soon?

LINEBACKER

The Statesmen welcome back starting linebackers, senior captain Ryan Robinson and senior Orlando Patterson. Their leadership, athleticism, and passion will be the key to the sustained success of the defense, following the graduation of Hager and Sanders.

Robinson, whose brother Nolan '07 was also a team captain, is the team's top returning tackler. He finished fourth on the team with 54 stops, including a team-high 14 tackles for a loss and a team-high three sacks. Robinson logged a career-high nine tackles at Carnegie Mellon last season.

After battling injuries and playing in only one game in his first two seasons, Patterson returns for a fifth season on campus. He recorded at least one tackle in every game last season, his first as a starter, finishing tied for fifth on the team with 42. Patterson notched a career-high eight stops against Dickinson and Mount Union.

The biggest question on the defense is at inside linebacker, especially against the pass.

Sanders was a starter from Day 1 and Hager used his quickness and knack for finding the seam to post three games with 20 tackles or more and to break Hobart's 13-year-old record for tackles in a season.

Junior Kyle O'Laughlin will be tasked with taking charge in the middle. He was thrust into heavy rotation as a first-year when Sanders was injured in Week 1. O'Laughlin made 48 tackles (6th on the team), including five for a loss (4th) and earned All-Liberty League honorable mention. Last season, his snaps were reduced because of the success of Hager and Sanders. O'Laughlin knows the position and has the experience to earn his way back onto the all-star team.

Sophomore Reggie Robinson moved from outside to inside linebacker during spring practice. He's a very athletic and physical player, who could slide into the other starting spot, but junior Taylor Ciali and first-year Andrew Klindera might challenge him for that role. Ciali has performed well in early preseason drills and the coaches think very highly of Klindera. One or both could be on the two-deep for the season opener.

Senior Scott Ghiraldi, junior Fernando Jones, and first-years Sean Regan and Nick Zapp are expected to battle for a spot on the depth chart. Ghiraldi is a knowledgeable, reliable player. Half of his tackles last season came in the NCAA Playoffs against Lycoming (2 tkls, PBU) and Mount Union (3 tkls). Jones made big strides during spring practice and is poised to make a push for more playing time. Regan will play two sports for the Statesmen, suiting up for the lacrosse team in the spring.

Senior Will Schweitzer brings depth to the position.

SECONDARY

Hobart has ranked first or second in the Liberty League in pass efficiency defense in five of the past six seasons. The Statesmen have been especially tough against the pass in each of the past two seasons, leading the conference in passing yards allowed and pass efficiency defense.

This season figures to be just as frustrating for opposing quarterbacks thanks to the return of starting cornerbacks Woodard and senior Chris Szymanski. Along with the now graduated Boyington, they limited opponents to 147.1 passing yards per game and a passing efficiency rating of just 88.5. Hobart hasn't been that stingy against the pass since posting an 85.6 pass efficiency defense in 2001 and allowing a scant 103.1 yards per game in 2000.

A Sporting News preseason All-American, Woodard was second in the conference (behind Boyington) and 14th in the nation in interceptions as a rookie. A unanimous first team All-Liberty League pick, he excelled primarily on his athleticism as a first-year. Woodard worked very hard in the weight room during the offseason, adding 10 pounds to his 5-foot-11 frame. Expect fewer quarterbacks to challenge him as he becomes more fundamentally sound and more comfortable in Hobart's system.

On the flip side, Szymanski can expect more opportunities to add to his 10 career passes defended total. With 28 games, including 14 starts, under his belt, experience is his greatest asset and the coaching staff expects him to be a reliable complement to Woodard.

Junior Nick Bianchi and first-years Jaheem Green, Rashaun Moore, and Branden Wright will compete for a spot on the depth chart and see added time when the Statesmen go with a nickel or dime package.

At free safety, senior Scott Holton and junior John Kelliher will compete for the starting job. Holton is a converted linebacker, brought over to give the Statesmen some depth, while Kelliher has played in 19 games over the past two seasons, producing 22 tackles and two pass break ups.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Hobart's offensive line has made steady improvement at protecting the quarterback over the past four seasons. Four years ago, the Statesmen were next to last in the conference, allowing 2.82 sacks per game, but last year, the front five reduced that average to a Liberty League best 1.18. A repeat of that level of protection will be vital to the development of a new starting quarterback.

Senior captain Brian Monaco and classmate Angelo Catalano will be Hobart's leaders in the trenches. Monaco (6-foot-2, 290 lbs) is the team's best run blocker and an exceptional student and is penciled in at right guard. He became the college's first ESPN The Magazine first team Academic All-American in football last season. Catalano (6-foot-3, 275 lbs) is a reliable pass blocker and has a good chance to start at left tackle after holding down the right side last season.

The remaining three spots are up for grabs due to two graduations and one position change. Along the line, Hobart had lots of competition and made significant improvement as a unit in spring practice.

Junior Sean Kluber (6-foot-1, 255 lbs) was Hobart's sixth man last season, rotating in at any position to give a starter a snap or two off. His experience and knowledge will be added to the starting lineup this season as he will likely take over the right tackle spot from Catalano.

Native Genevan, junior Kelvin Cruz returns to the roster after a season off. The 6-foot, 295-pounder played in seven games at center as a first-year and is likely to return to that role.

Left guard Andrew Miller has slimmed down significantly and will move to fullback, leaving sophomore Brendan Hatlee (6-foot-4, 305 lbs) and Kyle Sandy (6-foot-1, 255 lbs) to battle for the starting nod. Both made significant strides during spring practice and have worked hard during the offseason to add strength.

Sophomores Anthony Coletta (6-foot-4, 270 lbs), Jarrid Blades (6-foot-3, 280 lbs), and Hunter LaCroix (6-foot-2, 275 lbs) will compete for playing time and add depth up front.

RUNNING BACK

Two-year starter Anthony Hobaica took 1,405 rushing yards, 13 touchdowns, and invaluable leadership and knowledge with him to Hobart's 184th Commencement. Three returning Statesmen and two first-years will compete to fill that void. The coaches are unlikely to give the lion's share of carries to any one back, opting to rotate in two or three runners to keep fresh legs in the backfield at all times.

A talented runner, junior Andrew Marlier boasts the most career carries (250) and yards (877). Sophomore Kyle Tritten has impressed the coaching staff with his dedication and work ethic. He averaged 5.2 yards per carry last season and added 10 pounds of muscle during the offseason to prepare for more carries in '09. Sophomore Pat Julian returns to his natural tailback slot after experimenting at slot receiver last year. He's healthy now after injuries nagged him as a rookie.

First-years Brandon Bratek and Bobby Dougherty could also figure into the mix. Bratek is a north-south, short yardage type back, while Dougherty has an extra gear and gives the Statesmen a breakaway kind of back.

Fullback is a wide open competition this season. Junior Shlomo Gelernter is the only returner at the position. He'll compete for the starting job with Miller, converted defensive end, sophomore Gregory Clifford, and junior Matt Howard.

WIDE RECEIVER

Hobart's wide receivers made 130 receptions in 2008. All 130 receptions return, including 95 by senior starters Tyler Vincent (52 for 570 yds, 7 TDs) and Zachary Schulz (43-484, 4). The Statesmen also welcome back sophomore Garth Muratori (12-129, 1), senior Paul Overdorf (4-33, 1), junior Andy Schettine (11-133, 1), senior Mike Lazore (6-43), and juniors Chris Bramwell (2-27) and Kevin Grogan.

Both Vincent and Schulz performed well in their first season as starters, posting similar numbers in similar roles.

Vincent, who also handled punting duties, came within two catches of tying the Hobart game record against Union, hauling in 10 for 138 yards. After missing the Merchant Marine game with an injury, he caught seven passes against WPI, taking three into the end zone.

Schulz, who also returned punts, made a season-high seven catches for 82 yards and a touchdown against Dickinson and later logged seven receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown in the NCAA Playoff win over Lycoming.

Muratori could push for a starting nod. He's a big (6-foot-3, 205 lbs), strong receiver who continued to progress during the offseason. Nagged by injuries last season, Overdorf is finally healthy and ready to put his full talent on display. Schettine is a smart player who is likely to get reps as a slot receiver. Lazore was solid in his first football season, initially providing value as a blocker before expanding his role as a receiver later in the year. Bramwell is quick and has a good grasp of the playbook. Grogan is back at receiver after spending 2008 as a defensive back.

The Statesmen will also welcome four first-year receivers to camp. The quartet—Jay Cronze, Chris Gainey, Paul Ashburn, and Junior Woodard (Drake's brother)—will add speed to the receiving corps, but will see limited snaps with so much talent and knowledge on the depth chart already.

TIGHT END

Hobart takes a big hit with the graduation of Duliba, but senior David Degan and sophomore Matt Marsh return to make sure the drop off isn't too far. Degan is a smart player and a strong leader, while Marsh is a strong run blocker with very good hands.

Junior Larry Gregorek has converted from quarterback and is competing for a spot on the depth chart as well.

First-years Andrew Zdrojewski and Brent Matazinsky have potential to be Duliba-like contributors, but will need some polish.

QUARTERBACK

The 2009 campaign will mark the third consecutive season that the Statesmen will send a quarterback onto the field on opening day without a single career start under his belt. A less than ideal situation, Hobart has had great success in the previous two seasons with '07 starter Andrew Strom throwing for a school record 2,742 yards and '08 starter Rich Doyle finishing sixth on that list with 1,874 yards.

Unlike the last two seasons, the Statesmen have no clear cut heir. Sophomore Doug Vella is the only returnee up for the job. He completed 9-of-22 passes for 86 yards and a touchdown. Vella's best performance came in the fourth quarter of the Rensselaer game. Filling in for the injured Doyle, he directed a pair of scoring drives, including a nine-play, 53-yard effort that set up the game-winning field goal as time expired.

Vella's competition will come in the form of three drop back passers, junior transfer Preston Earl and first-years Chris Rose and Nick Strang. Earl was limited to two seasons as the holder at Division I Illinois State, but did set his high school's season and career passing yards records. Rose, from nearby Victor, was the Section V Class A Offensive Player of the Year after throwing for 2,149 yards and 25 TDs last year, while Strang was a two-time All-Section I selection at John Jay High School.

SPECIAL TEAMS

In 2008, Hobart led the Liberty League in kickoff coverage (13.7 yds/ret), punt return coverage (1.9 yds/ret), and field goals made (8), ranked second in net punting yards (34.3), and field goal percentage (57.1), and ranked third in kickoff returns (20.4 yds/ret) and PAT percentage (.909).

There's plenty of reason to believe the Statesmen can maintain or improve upon those rankings this season.

The kicking game boasts the return of sophomore place kicker Conor Callahan, senior punter Tyler Vincent, and senior punter/kicker Paul Overdorf.

Callahan's collegiate career got off to a bumpy start as he missed five of his first six field goal attempts, but he finished strong, making five of his final six tries. His season long, a 37-yarder at Rensselaer, beat the Red Hawks as time expired, earning him the Liberty League Special Teams Performer of the Week award. Callahan also averaged 49.7 yards per kickoff.

Vincent was third in the conference in punting average (36.4) and gave opposing coaches nightmares with his ability to kick, pass, or run.

Overdorf should give both players some competition. He averaged 34.8 yards per punt (5 attempts) and made both of his field goal attempts and 14-of-15 PATs in '08.

Schulz is a steady punt (8.9 yds/ret) and kick returner (18.2) and could see time in that role if a young, hungry player does not emerge during preseason camp. Marlier (22.7) and Muratori (26.3) have also enjoyed success on kick returns and could revisit those roles this fall.

Junior Woodard and Cronze are the likely candidates to get return opportunities from the Class of 2013.

SCHEDULE

Hobart's 116th varsity season kicks off on Sept. 12 at Dickinson. The Statesmen eked out a 28-21 win in Geneva last season and can even the all-time series (The Red Devils lead 9-8-1) with another opening day victory.

The following weekend Hobart will make its home debut against Carnegie Mellon. The game will be televised by Time Warner Cable Sports. The Statesmen have won both of the previous meetings with the Tartans, but only by a combined six points.

Liberty League play begins on Sept. 26, when Hobart visits Susquehanna. The Statesmen are 2-2 all-time against the Crusaders, who are leaving the conference at the end of the season.

Hobart will host league foes St. Lawrence (Oct. 3), Merchant Marine (Oct. 24), and Rensselaer (Nov. 7) and will visit Union (Oct. 10), WPI (Oct. 31), and Rochester (Nov. 14). The Statesmen, Red Hawks, and Dutchmen have dominated the conference since it was founded in 1995, making the Oct. 10 and Nov. 7 contests of paramount importance for Hobart's hopes of a fourth consecutive league championship.