Box Score
GLASSBORO, NJ – The Rowan University football team defeated Hobart College, 20-18 in the first round of the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament on Saturday.
Rowan (8-2) travels to Wilkes University (11-0) for the second round on Saturday, November 25 at noon. Wilkes topped Washington & Lee University, 42-0 in the first round. The quarterfinals and semifinals will take place on Saturday, December 2 and Saturday, December 9. The championship, the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl, will be played on Saturday, December 16 at Salem Stadium in Salem, VA.
Kicker Daniel Roberts (jr. Hamilton, NJ/Hamilton West) made a 32 yard field goal with nine seconds left to give Rowan the victory. The Profs orchestrated a seven play 51 yard drive in the final 1:43 to set up the game winning kick. Quarterback Mike Orihel (sr. Trenton, NJ/Central Bucks W. (PA)) completed two of three passes for 48 yards. Hobart went ahead 18-17 with 1:52 remaining. The Statesmen recovered on the Profs’ nine yard line. Quarterback Shawn Mizro (sr. Newark, NY/Newark) connected with tight end Kyle Martin (sr. Syracuse, NY/Onondaga) from four yards out for the touchdown. Hobart went for the two point conversion and Mizro completed a pass to tight end Matt Duliba (so. Forestville, NY/Forestville).
Superback Davon Edwards (so. Del Haven, NJ/Middle Twp.) was the Profs’ leader on offense with 21 carries for 79 yards and three catches for 77 yards. Orihel completed 19 of 35 passes for 253 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Jim Migliore (sr. Jackson, NJ/Jackson Mem.) caught five passes for 62 yards. Wideouts Emory Lester (fr. Browns Mills, NJ/Pemberton) and Will Barnes (so. Bridgeton, NJ/Salem) recorded 39 and 38 yards respectively and one touchdown each.
Linebackers Chris Pinto (so. Barnegat, NJ/Southern Reg.) and Andrew Yezzi (fr. Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Reg.) posted 11 and 10 tackles apiece. Defensive end Randy Tosh (jr. Columbia, NJ/North Warren Reg.) added eight stops. Safety Brandon Tolbert (sr. Mays Landing, NJ/Pleasantville) and cornerback Dawaine Whetstone (sr. Pleasantville, NJ/Pleasantville) each had one interception.
Hobart (8-2) was led by Mizro with 10 completions in 20 attempts for 159 yards and one touchdown. Wide receiver James Wright (jr. Olean, NY/Olean) totaled 96 yards on three grabs. Running back Doug Blakowski (sr. Elma, NY/Iroquois) compiled 51 yards rushing and one touchdown on 21 carries.
Linebacker Evan Hoffman (sr. Fairfield, CT/Fairfield Prep) made 10 tackles, including three for a loss (-five). Linebackers Nolan Robinson (sr. Johnson City, NY/Johnson City), Jeff Sanders (jr. Camden, NY/Camden) and Tyler Mason (sr. Stillwater, NY/Stillwater) each posted eight stops. Sanders forced a fumble and Mason had one fumble recovery.
Rowan went ahead 17-10 at 6:09 in the fourth quarter after a 33 yard touchdown pass from Orihel to Barnes. The touchdown was set up by Tolbert’s interception that gave Rowan the ball on the Hobart 33 yard line.
In the first quarter, the Statesmen scored at 5:09 for a 7-0 lead. Blakowski found the end zone on a four yard rush. Mizro connected with Wright on a 49 yard pass prior to the touchdown. Roberts made a 38 yard field goal at 12:56 in the second quarter making the score 7-3. Edwards had a 13 yard run and wide receiver Dustin Katcher (jr. Milltown, NJ/Spotswood) made two catches for 12 yards in the drive. Hobart added a 27 yard field goal by kicker Denis Avdic (fr. Utica, NY/Utica-Proctor) at 9:19 for a seven point advantage. Running back Anthony Hobaica (so. Utica, NY/Utica-Proctor) carried the ball three times for 35 yards leading up to the kick. The Profs tied the game with 33 seconds remaining in the first half. Orihel completed a four yard touchdown pass to Lester. Orihel completed two passes to Migliore for 47 yards and two passes to Lester for 27 yards in the drive.
Rowan went ahead 17-10 at 6:09 in the fourth quarter after a 33 yard touchdown pass from Orihel to Barnes. The touchdown was set up by an interception by Tolbert that gave Rowan the ball on the Hobart 33 yard line.
Rowan won its 16th New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Championship to earn an automatic bid to the national tournament. It is the Profs’ 13th appearance in the national tournament. Last year, Rowan advanced to the national semifinal game for the second straight season. Hobart received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Statesmen are in the national tournament for the fifth time and third consecutive season. Last year, Hobart reached the second round of the tournament.
