GENEVA, NY – Host Hobart College connected for a long touchdown on just its second play from scrimmage and carried that momentum to a 37-7 victory over the University of Rochester on Saturday afternoon at Boswell Field at David Urick Stadium.
 
The Statesmen (9-1, 6-0) completed a perfect Liberty League record and claimed the conference title and automatic berth into the NCAA Division III Tournament. Rochester (6-4, 2-4) will await a possible bowl game berth following the winning record regular season.
 
Rochester's six wins in 2024 are the most by a Yellowjacket squad since the 2007 campaign, and the winning record is UR's first since 2015.
 
After a 3-and-out on UR's first possession, Hobart's Johnny Colombi connected on a pass to Johnny Harding on the right sideline and the receiver scampered 68 yards to pay dirt on the second Hobart play from scrimmage, igniting the Statesmen offense that produced 408 total yards on the day.
 
The Yellowjacket offense had a hard time getting things going later on in the quarter, with backup quarterback Anthony Pucciarelli losing a fumble deep in UR territory, setting up Hobart's second scoring drive on a short field.
 
That score was provided by E.J. Taylor running up the gut from 20 yards out. UR's Victor Little blocked the PAT and Hobart led 13-0 after the first.
 
After Hobart boosted the lead to 20-0 on a Taylor 9-yard rushing scoring, the Yellowjackets next drive saw Rochester finally break into Hobart territory.
 
Two rushes from first-year Cole Raux accounted for nearly 40 yards, moving Rochester to the Hobart 35-yard line. A few plays later, the drive stalled out, with the 'Jackets turning the ball over on downs.
 
Rochester's first half ended on a high note when senior punter Alex Wing booted a 51-yard punt that ended up pinning the Statesmen at the 1-yard line. At the break, Hobart led 20-0.
 
In the second half, UR's first time with the ball proved to be solid 12-play drive, but another fumble, forced by Jamien Bliss was recovered by Mike McGhee, giving the Statesmen the ball back near midfield.
 
That turnover led to more Hobart points, with Tobias Wefering connecting on a 20-yard field goal to boost the Statesmen lead.
 
After Hobart's Taylor scored his third touchdown run of the game with 10:25 left in the fourth quarter, Rochester finally got on the scoreboard on the ensuing kickoff, with senior Trey Johnson recording his second kickoff return score of the season.
 
The touchdown traversed 97 yards, tying for the third longest in school history. Johnson's two return touchdowns this season also makes him just the fifth-player in Rochester football history with multiple kickoff returns in the same season. He is the first since Nate Gibbons had two kickoff return TD's back in 2004.
 
On the next kickoff, Hobart muffed the ball and it was recovered by the Yellowjackets, setting up a short field for Rochester. But UR turned the ball right back over, with Andy Talone's pass getting intercepted by Corey Rock two plays later.
 
Hobart completed the games scoring after another turnover on Rochester's final drive, with Jay Brunson Jr. picking off Talone and returning it 32 yards for a touchdown to make the final score 37-7.
 
Talone finished as Rochester's leading rusher in the game, with 47 net yards on 13 attempts. Raux ended at 30 yards on his five totes.
 
On defense, Luke Herter led the 'Jackets with eight tackles. Four players, Keyden Snow, Simon Weeren, J.T. Monahan and Little had six. Brendan McDonald had four pass break-ups and Jack Yensel provided an interception back in the first quarter.