BUFFALO, N.Y.—Junior linebacker Mike McGhee ended Buffalo State's opening drive returning an interception 67 yards for a touchdown to set Hobart on a course for a 31-3 Liberty League win on Coyer Field this afternoon. After just two weeks of conference play, the Statesmen are alone in first place in the Liberty League.
Hobart outgained the Bengals 332-172. The Statesmen offense was balanced, gaining 178 yards on the ground and 154 through the air. The Hobart defense limited the home team to just 81 yards rushing and 91 passing. It's the second time this season that the Statesmen have kept the opposition from scoring a touchdown (Keystone).
Sophomore quarterback Tru Styles made his first career start, completing 12-of-18 passes for 154 yards and three touchdowns. First-year wide receiver Johnny Harding posted game-highs of seven receptions for 83 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore running back E.J. Taylor turned 17 carries into a game-high 95 yards and caught two passes for 31 yards and a TD. Senior linebacker Anthony Romano led the defense with nine tackles.
FOR THE RECORD
- Hobart: 5-1, 2-0 Liberty League
- Buffalo State: 2-3, 0-1 Liberty League
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Bengals got the ball to start the game and used a 23-yard run by Ale Wilson and a 21-yard pass from Noah Kimble to Wilson to move across midfield.
- On fourth-and-4 from the Hobart 38, Kimble overthrew his intended receiver and found McGhee instead, who raced to the end zone for his second touchdown against Buff State in as many games. Last season, he scored on a 31-yard fumble recovery.
- At the end of the first quarter, the Bengals were backed up at their own 8 and punted, but it only traveled 16 yards, giving the Hobart offense a short field.
- Early in the second quarter, Styles completed a 17-yard touchdown pass to Harding. Senior Tobias Wefering's extra point gave the visitors a 14-0 lead.
- The Statesmen fumbled the second half's opening kickoff, giving Buffalo State a short field.
- For the fourth time this season, the Hobart defense made a stand against an opponent with first and goal. Wilson picked up 3 yards on first down to get Buff State to the Hobart 1. He lost a yard on second down with Kimble throwing incomplete on third and fourth down.
- The Statesmen fumbled again on its ensuing drive, giving the Bengals the ball at the Hobart 26. This time Buff State got first and goal from the 10, but three plays later the home team had lost 2 yards and had to settle for a field goal. Nick Sciandra converted from 29 yards out to make it a 14-3 game.
- The Statesmen scored on their final three possession.
- Taylor caught a 21-yard touchdown pass from Styles on a 10-play, 75-yard drive that spanned the third and fourth quarters.
- That was followed by a five-play, 73-yard drive that Harding capped with a 40-yard catch and run from Styles. Harding has a team-high 24 receptions and is tied for the team lead with five receiving touchdowns.
- Wefering capped off the day's scoring, booting a 25-yard field goal that was part of a 13-play, 44-yard drive.
COACH'S CORNER
"Today was a nice solid win and another strong performance by our defense, starting strong with the interception and defensive score. The defense came up big after a couple special team and offensive turnovers, and then the offense was able to finish off a couple drives to secure the win." -- Hobart Head Coach Kevin DeWall '00
RECORD WATCH
- Romano's nine tackles raised his career total to 238. He jumped from 17th on Hobart's career list to 13th. Romano is 11 tackles behind No. 11 Jimmy Gradis '06.
- Senior linebacker Jaimen Bliss made six tackles on the day. He raised his career total to 216, moving up one spot to No. 21 on the all-time list.
- Wefering's field goal was his 25th career make, six shy of the Hobart record set by Kyle Hackett '20.
- Junior Vicente Lyon, who broke the Hobart record for longest punt last week, was only called on once today. His 39-yard coffin corner kick pinned the Bengals at their own 2.
HEADING NORTH
- Hobart will be on the road again next week, visiting Liberty League rival St. Lawrence (2-3, 1-1). Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19.