FB: Liberty League

[UfanBill]

For a decade the Union vs Hobart game usually decided the LL champ and NCAA participant. OK, RPI was often in the mix too. The last few seasons the Statesmen have had little trouble with the Dutchman. Last year the Sweeney to Shed combo hit for 2 early TD's and 31 first half points. To have ANY chance to keep it close tomorrow Union has to limit the deep ball and keep the Hobart offense off the field. That will prove to be difficult especially since Union safety Jason Nelson must sit out the first half following last week's targeting expulsion. Last week against WNE without Nelson the Union secondary couldn't make the plays necessary to hold on to a halftime lead.  I love what I'm seeing from the "new" Union team and this week's game is an opportunity for coach Behrman's squad to show that the Dutchman are becoming relevant again in the LL. Don't get beat deep, run the ball to control the clock and play with no mistakes and penalties and let's see what happens.

[ITH radio]

Agree 100%. I put the 2004 HOB-UNI game as #3 in the best games of the last 20 years on my HOB CA blog.

In my Union preview I had the following:

Keys to the Game:

1. Sweeney to Shed - It worked for nearly 200 yards last season, so I suspect the Statesmen offense will look to test a Union passing defense that's allowed 221.7 YPG and five TDs in 2016. Union's defensive strength is in it's LB corps with players like SR SS Brian Alebiosu and SO LB Hunter Ordukhanyan who are tied for second in the LL with 32 tackles each. The Dutchmen are tough to run on, allowing only 103.3 YPG (good for fourth in the LL) and only three rushing scores on the year. Not that it matters in this contest, but the Statesmen are dead last in the LL with 103 YPG rushing. Union averages only 85 YPG passing, so you can say both teams lack of offensive balance. The imbalance may not hurt the Statesmen Saturday, but it could spell trouble for Hobart down the line against more complete / playoff ready opponents.

2. Stop the Run - On the flip side, Union has two of the LL's leading rushers in SO RB Connor Kinzelmann (42 carries for 251 yards and two TDs) and SR RB Jermaine Carn (54 carries for 216 yards and three scores). Union has only attempted 49 passes on the season so far (compared to Hobart's LL leading 122), so expect the Dutchmen to come out and test a Statesmen rush defense that's struggled somewhat, placing itself sixth in the LL with an 138.9 YPG allowed average. I'd like to see more inside gap penetration and tackles by the DL as it seems that opposing QBs and RBs haven't dealt with much inside pressure from the Statesmen defense. To its credit, the DL has forced plays to the outside so the DEs, LBs and DBs can make plays but the lack of pass rush is also something that'll need to develop in order for Hobart to have a chance to beat stronger teams down the stretch. The Statesmen are tied for first in the LL with 13 sacks (4.3 PG), but most, if not all of these came after the QB had time to scramble outside the pocket. The dangerous aspect this outside contain strategy is that if tackles are missed (like some that where in the Brockport and Endicott games), opposing teams can get big gains of yardage outside.

3. Penalties - Hobart has more than two times the number of penalties (15) than Union (six). While I expect a tough, physical game, the long-time rivalry between these two schools can lead to "chippy" play. The Statesmen need to act like their namesake and avoid getting overly emotional or dragged into anything after the whistle. I've seen enough between these two programs to know there's some bad blood there.

[Frank Rossi]

For a decade the Union vs Hobart game usually decided the LL champ and NCAA participant. OK, RPI was often in the mix too. The last few seasons the Statesmen have had little trouble with the Dutchman. Last year the Sweeney to Shed combo hit for 2 early TD's and 31 first half points. To have ANY chance to keep it close tomorrow Union has to limit the deep ball and keep the Hobart offense off the field. That will prove to be difficult especially since Union safety Jason Nelson must sit out the first half following last week's targeting expulsion. Last week against WNE without Nelson the Union secondary couldn't make the plays necessary to hold on to a halftime lead.  I love what I'm seeing from the "new" Union team and this week's game is an opportunity for coach Behrman's squad to show that the Dutchman are becoming relevant again in the LL. Don't get beat deep, run the ball to control the clock and play with no mistakes and penalties and let's see what happens.

Nelson is eligible if the targeting was in the first half.  http://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/media-center/news/more-stringent-targeting-rules-go-effect

[UfanBill]

Thanks Frank... I stand corrected. Nelson's penalty happened with 6:00 minutes left in the first half. He will be available to play the entire game tomorrow.

[dlippiel]

Big day today on the road for the U. Dlip thinks a solid showing against a very good Pumpkinhead team will serve the Dutchmen well for the remainder of the season. Dlip says defend the pass, buy in completely, and make them beat you on the ground. Going to be tough to handle the Sweeney and Shed show.

Let's hope for a great game and no injuries for either team! Let's go U!!!!

[Hobart15]

Weather looks good in Geneva. Union inability to pass should make it very difficult to score. Looking for the final score 28-3.

[dlippiel]

Weather looks good in Geneva. Union inability to pass should make it very difficult to score. Looking for the final score 28-3.

Cascione or no Cascione the Dutchmen's air attack really isn't there this season. Dlip has been so impressed with the U's commitment to the run. Carn and especially Kinzelmann have the ability to break one and for the U to be successful more than one will need to be broken. Dlip is really hoping for a competitive game today.

[Hobart15]

Not sure the status of Marcus Jemison today but the moving of tommy dantonio to that position last week really helped with the run defense. If Union can't run it will be a long day

[ITH radio]

Looks like he's out

http://sidearm.sites.s3.amazonaws.com/hwsathletics.com/documents/2016/9/22/20160924_HFB_Notes.pdf

[Hobart15]

Tough break for him. Really nice kid. Look to see if union runs toward the Harper/Collier side much. Looks like teams are running away from them with success. Also, Ithaca had some open receivers deep last week but couldn't make the connection. Look to see if union takes a shot deep early.

[ITH radio]

Crazy day in LL

[ITH radio]

For a decade the Union vs Hobart game usually decided the LL champ and NCAA participant. OK, RPI was often in the mix too. The last few seasons the Statesmen have had little trouble with the Dutchman. Last year the Sweeney to Shed combo hit for 2 early TD's and 31 first half points. To have ANY chance to keep it close tomorrow Union has to limit the deep ball and keep the Hobart offense off the field. That will prove to be difficult especially since Union safety Jason Nelson must sit out the first half following last week's targeting expulsion. Last week against WNE without Nelson the Union secondary couldn't make the plays necessary to hold on to a halftime lead.  I love what I'm seeing from the "new" Union team and this week's game is an opportunity for coach Behrman's squad to show that the Dutchman are becoming relevant again in the LL. Don't get beat deep, run the ball to control the clock and play with no mistakes and penalties and let's see what happens.

Nelson is eligible if the targeting was in the first half.  http://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/media-center/news/more-stringent-targeting-rules-go-effect

Same penalty happened in Hobart-Union game. Not sure is was a valid though but fact is, it was called.

[Bartman]

So, both Hobart(21) and St. Lawrence(25) move up in the D3 poll and the LL has 2 in the Top25. Hobart has to cool down the Mariners offense and the Larries  get a hungry Pride this weekend. Can both these teams stay undefeated until the collision in Canton?

[ITH radio]

We cover highlights from Wk 4, including discussion about teams like Utica and others in the 55 min mark post player interviews:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ith/2016/09/26/in-the-huddlle--liberty-league-football-talk-show

[Bartman]

We cover highlights from Wk 4, including discussion about teams like Utica and others in the 55 min mark post player interviews:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ith/2016/09/26/in-the-huddlle--liberty-league-football-talk-show

Nice show this week. I am a little concerned about Hobart stopping the MM run game.  Hobart is really missing Jemison the last few games, I hope he is back and healed for this one because he is a great runstopper and I think we need the reinforcements, as the Mariners could turn this game into a "swivel head" back and forth high scoring game. If we can contain them(14 points or less) my optimism for the rest of the season will be much higher.  Sad to see this program leave the LL.