GENEVA, N.Y.—The chase for the 2021 Liberty League Football Championship could begin to come into focus or be thrown into chaos based on the results of two key games on Saturday, Oct. 30, including Hobart's trip to nationally-ranked Union.
 
Union (7-0, 3-0) is ranked 11th in the AFCA coaches poll and 12th in D3football.com's Top 25. The Dutchmen are a half game behind No. 13/15 Ithaca (7-0, 4-0), which sits atop the Liberty League standings. Hobart (6-1, 2-1) and Rensselaer (6-1, 2-1) are tied for third place. The Bombers visit RPI in the other key matchup. If the undefeated teams remain so, it would set up a de facto championship game on Nov. 2 when Ithaca hosts Union. If both undefeated teams were to lose, all four teams would remain in the hunt for the league's automatic bid to the NCAA playoffs.
 
All stadium/bleacher seats for the game are sold out. Lawn/standing room tickets are still available and can be purchased at Bertagna-Class of 1985 Stadium beginning at noon on game day. On-site ticket sales are cash only. Union's COVID policies require everyone entering any campus building, including stadium restrooms, to wear a mask.
 
The game will be broadcast live on WEOS-FM (89.5/90.3). Fans can also follow the action online with live video and live stats on Union's website.
 
Hobart is coming off back-to-back one-possession wins. The Statesmen blocked a PAT late in the fourth quarter to hang on to a 10-9 win over RPI on Oct. 16 and scored in the final minute last week, eking out a 17-13 win over St. Lawrence.
 
Over the past two games, running back Rayshawn Boswell has rushed for 266 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 8.6 yards per carry. Through seven games, he leads the Liberty League with 684 yards rushing and 11 rushing touchdowns.
 
Hobart has dominated time of possession this season, ranking seventh in the country with an average possession time of 34:43.
 
Linebacker Bryan Aguilar has paced the defense with 21 tackles over the past two weeks, recording 10 stops against the Engineers and 11 against the Saints. For the season, he leads the team with 43 tackles.
 
The Statesmen defense leads the Liberty League and is ninth in the nation, allowing 221.9 yards per game.
 
Union is coming off a 35-9 win at Rochester last week. The Dutchmen used a balanced attack to gain 454 yards (231 rush/223 pass) against the Yellowjackets, while limiting the home team to 132 yards (57/75). Union reached the end zone on its first five possessions. Running back Ike Irabor rushed for 86 yards and two TDs and wide receiver Andre Ross Jr. caught six passes for 86 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback William Bellamy completed 18-of-22 passes for 223 yards and two TDs.
 
The game will be the 104th gridiron meeting between Hobart and Union. The Dutchmen lead the series 52-49-2. Union won the last meeting 23-7 in Schenectady in 2019, but the Statesmen have earned a win in eight of the past 10 games.