GENEVA, N.Y.—The nationally-ranked Hobart College football team limited Montclair State University to a single field goal on the way to a 16-3 Homecoming victory on Boswell Field at David J Urick Stadium. The Statesmen's ball-hawking defense came up with four takeaways on the day, including a pair of interceptions by junior corner back Jared Leake, to lead Hobart to its fourth win in as many games this season.
 
The first half belonged to the field goal kickers. Hobart junior Kyle Hackett connected from 19 yards in the first quarter and 24 yards in the second to send his team into halftime with a 6-3 lead. Montclair sophomore Anthony Marinelli answered the first score with a 21-yard field goal, tying the game at 3-all late in the first quarter.
 
The Statesmen defense came up big throughout the second half. Hobart forced a turnover on each of the Red Hawks' four possessions after halftime. Junior linebacker Emmett Forde forced a fumble that sophomore linebacker Bryan Aguilar recovered in Hobart territory to kill the third quarter's opening drive. That led to a 25-yard Hackett field goal for a 9-3 lead. It's the third time in his career that Hackett has made three field goals, tying the Hobart game record.
 
Leake made his first pick deep in Hobart territory, intercepting junior quarterback Ja'Quill Burch at the 5 and was credited with a 26-yard return after the Statesmen were flagged 15 yards for a clip and then MSU took a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty.
 
The Statesmen offense was able to turn the interception into the game's only touchdown, albeit aided by a pair of timely penalties against the Red Hawks. The first was a pass interference call that pushed Hobart across midfield. The second was a holding call against the defense that wiped out a pick six by Zack Zaccone. Four plays later, senior Brian Haeffner barreled into the end zone from 3 yards out for a 16-3 Hobart lead. Haeffner rushed 21 times for a game-high 90 yards.
 
On the ensuing kickoff, senior Mike Manzo-Lewis gave MSU (1-2) outstanding field position with a 56-yard return. Three plays later, Burch floated a pass into the end zone that sailed over his target and into the waiting arms of Leake. It was his team-leading third interception of the season.
 
Hobart went three-and-out on its next possession, draining just 1:51 off the clock. Montclair State worked its way back into Hobart territory, but was undone by another turnover. On third and eight from the Hobart 21, Burch fired a pass into the hands of a diving receiver, who was hit in the air by sophomore safety Jay McCoy. When first-year wide receiver Mitch Chubnow hit the ground in the end zone, the ball bounced off his check and senior safety Andrew Koonz was there to corral his second interception of the season.
 
Hobart was able to pick up a pair of first downs and run the final four minutes off the game clock to seal the program's eighth straight Homecoming win.
 
Statesmen senior quarterback Ryan Hofmann was 9-of-17 passing for 120 yards. Senior wide receiver Jake Cataliotto caught a team-high four passes for a game-high 66 yards. He now has 94 career receptions, tied for 14th place on Hobart's all-time list.
 
Forde shared game-high honors with 11 tackles, including 1.5 for loss. Senior linebacker David McCarthy added seven stops.
 
Burch was 20-of-33 passing for 163 yards. Manzo-Lewis was his top target with five receptions for 48 yards. Junior running back Craig Merkle led the Montclair State run game with 11 carries for 60 yards. Zaccone led the Red Hawks with 11 tackles, while senior Jaier Garrett added 10 stops.
 
Hobart, which is ranked 22nd in the coaches poll and 25th in the D3football.com poll, will head to Union on Oct. 5, to open Liberty League play. Kickoff in Schenectady is set for noon. Montclair State will play its home opener on the same day, hosting NJAC rival Salisbury at 1 p.m.