The nationally ranked Hobart College football team will open Liberty League play at home on Saturday, Sept. 24, hosting Union College in the 100th meeting between the two rivals. Kickoff at Boswell Field is slated for noon.
 
During the game, both coaching staffs will wear Coach To Cure MD patches in support of the American Football Coaches Association's annual effort to raise funds and awareness for the fight against Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
 
Fans can help support the fight to end Duchenne by either going online to www.CoachtoCureMD.org or by texting the word CURE to 90999 (a $5 donation will automatically be added to your next phone bill). Donations will support research projects funded by Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy.
 
Last year, more than 10,000 college coaches at more than 525 institutions participated in Coach To Cure MD events. The eight-year fundraising total is just over $1.2 million.
 
The Statesmen are 3-0 and ranked in both national polls. Hobart is No. 18 in the first AFCA Coaches' Poll of the year. In the latest D3football.com Top 25, the Statesmen moved up three spots to No. 22. Hobart is third in the Liberty League in total offense (439.3 yds/g) and fourth in total defense (290.7).
 
The Statesmen lead the league in passing offense, averaging 336.3 yards per game, but rank last in rushing offense (103.0). Junior quarterback Shane Sweeney in ranked in the top 10 in the nation in passing yards (8th, 1,009) and passing touchdowns (7th, 10). Classmate Brandon Shed is fourth in the country in receiving yards (440) and fifth in receiving TDs (5). Senior Bradley Burns is Hobart's top rusher with 122 yards and two TDs on the ground.
 
Defensively, the Statesmen are second against the pass (152.0) and sixth in the league against the run (138.7). Junior linebacker Almamy Conde and senior defensive end James Hedger share the team lead with 23 tackles apiece. Hedger also has 3.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. Junior defensive end Brandon Ball leads the team with six tackles for loss and four sacks. As a team, Hobart leads the Liberty League and is third in the nation in sacks with 13.
 
Union is 1-2 and looking to rebound from a 32-16 loss to Western New England last week. The Dutchmen are eighth in the Liberty League in total offense (253.0) and sixth in total defense (325.0).
 
Union's offense averages 168.0 yards rushing and 85.0 yards passing. Junior running back Connor Kinzelmann has a team-high 251 yards rushing and two TDs. Sophomore quarterback Nick Cascione has completed 45 percent of his passes for 255 yards. Junior wideout Alex Kaplanovich is his top target with six catches for 97 yards.
 
On defense, the Dutchmen are yielding 103.0 yards rushing and 221.7 yards passing. Senior strong safety Brian Alebiosu and sophomore linebacker Hunter Ordukhanyan share the team lead with 32 tackles apiece. Sophomore linebacker Jack Reilly has team-highs of 5.0 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks. Union is second in the Liberty League with six interceptions, including two by senior cornerback Justin Waller. The Dutchmen are plus-three in turnover margin this season.
 
Union leads the series against Hobart 50-47-2, but the Statesmen have won each of the past six meetings.
 
The game will be broadcast live on WEOS-FM (89.5/90.3). Fans can also follow the game online with All-Access video and Live Stats.