GENEVA, N.Y.—The Hobart College football team scored 31 points in the second quarter on the way to a 45-21 Liberty League win over Buffalo State University this afternoon. Turnovers played a big role in today's outcome as the Statesmen finished the game plus-4 in turnover margin.
 
FOR THE RECORD

• Hobart: 4-1, 1-1 Liberty League
• Buffalo State: 1-4, 0-2 Liberty League
• The Statesmen improved to 7-3 all-time against the Bengals. Hobart has won each of the past five meetings.

 
FIRST QUARTER

• Each team scored on its first possession.
• Hobart needed just five plays to go 59 yards, opening the scoring on a 5-yard TD run by quarterback Johnny Colombi.
• Buffalo State countered with a clock eating 15-play, 77-yard march that used up 9:14. Quarterback Amir Cameron scored on a keeper from the 1.
• The Bengals had a chance to take the lead, intercepting Colombi to set the offense up at the Hobart 35. Three plays later, Buff State attempted a 41-yard field goal, but the kick was short, keeping the game tied.

 
TURNING POINT

• The tide turned in Hobart's favor on a play that both teams would rather forget.
• On fourth-and-7 near midfield, the Statesmen lined up to punt. Tobias Wefering misplayed the snap and Buffalo State recovered the loose ball at the Hobart 28. However, the Bengals were called for an illegal substitution on the play, giving the Statesmen a do-over.
• This time, Hobart elected to go for it and it paid off in a big way. Colombi threw a dart to wide receiver Ahmad Crowell who made a spectacular one-handed catch and then used his speed to race away from the defense for a 51-yard touchdown.

 

FINAL: Hobart 45, Buffalo State 21@ahmad09265066 with the 👀 popping 1️⃣ handed catch & run for the TD!#GoStatesmen #d3fb pic.twitter.com/oFBbUUfrUZ

— HWS Athletics (@HWSAthletics) October 7, 2023

 
TURNOVERS

• On its ensuing possession, Buffalo State botched a handoff at their own 31 and linebacker Mike McGhee scooped it up and ran it into the end zone to extend Hobart's lead.
• The Statesmen got another takeaway on the following kickoff, forcing a fumble at the Buffalo State 18. Three plays later, running back Rayshawn Boswell scored from 2 yards out. It was his 38th career touchdown, tying him for fifth on Hobart's all-time list with Ty Godinho '05.
• The Statesmen scored on their final two possessions of the half, using a 26-yard field goal by Wefering and a 43-yard Colombi to wide receiver Rane Daramola pass to extend their lead to 38-7 by halftime.

 
STERLING STATESMEN

• Colombi was 11-of-17 passing for 203 yards and two touchdowns with just the early interception. He also had eight carries for 28 yards and a TD.
• Boswell led a balanced rushing attack with 52 yards on 10 carries. He also caught a team-high four passes for 27 yards.
• Crowell had two catches for 62 yards.
• Linebacker Drew Walsh led the defense with a career-high 14 tackles and his first career interception.
• Linebacker Jaimen Bliss added nine stops.
• Linebackers Anthony Romano and Matt Brown and safety Joe McCoy also logged interceptions for Hobart.

 
BENGALS BEST

• Linebacker Evan Cervantes led the visitors with 14 tackles and he recovered a fumble.
• Running back Ale Wilson rushed for a game-high 77 yards on 19 carries.
• Cameron was 14-of-34 passing for 176 yards with a TD.
• Wide receivers Tariq Nelson (4 for 74 yds) and Nic Bruce (4 for 44) were Buffalo State's top pass catchers.

 
ON THE HORIZON

• Hobart will remain at home for its next contest, hosting Hilbert for a 1 p.m. kickoff on Saturday, Oct. 14.