GENEVA — On the final Saturday of the summer, the Hobart College football team stepped onto its own Boswell Field artificial turf for the first time this season.
It was the same type of game as the first two weeks — but with a different outcome.
E.J. Taylor ran for his third touchdown with 1:08 remaining, lifting the Statesmen to a 20-17 home-opening victory over Utica University and enabling Hobart to avoid its first 0-3 in 29 years.
All three of the Statesmen’s games have been decided by a less than a touchdown. Utica (2-1) had scored 90 points in two wins to open its campaign.
Sophomore quarterback Jeremy Weiss made his college debut late in the fourth quarter, relieving starter Tru Styles. After a 29-yard Utica punt set up Hobart at the Pioneers’ 37 with 1:53 remaining, Weiss keyed the winning drive by tossing a 31-yard completion to classmate Luke Hansen down the left sideline, just over a defender’s outstretched hand, on the next play. Taylor picked up 5 yards around the left end before bulling through the middle of the line for a 1-yard score.
Utica picked up one first down on its last drive but stalled out near midfield.
The Statesmen open Liberty League play next week when they travel to Butterfield Stadium to take on Ithaca College.
See Tuesday’s print edition of the Finger Lakes Times for photos and the full recap from Saturday’s game.