football

Oct. 4: The St. Lawrence University carried a 7-3 lead into halftime against unbeaten Hobart College at Leckonby Stadium on Saturday. However, the Statesmen would rally with a 13-point third quarter and hold off the Saints' upset bid with a fantastic defensive effort en route to a 16-10 road victory.

The Saints (0-5, 0-2) finished with an edge in first downs, passing yards, possession time and third down conversions. However, Hobart (4-0, 2-0) would intercept St. Lawrence sophomore quarterback J.P. Kearney (left) three times to help avoid the upset.

St. Lawrence's opening drive was arguably their best of the season, as they seemed to handle Hobart's defense with ease. Kearney moved his team from their own 23-yard line down to the Hobart 24 before he was intercepted by Chris Szymanski at the 25-yard line to end their opening scoring bid.

That drive was the best scoring chance for either team in a scoreless first quarter that saw the Saints' defense control the line of scrimmage and put consistent pressure on Hobart quarterback Rich Doyle. The Statesmen only earned one first down in the entire quarter and were out-gained by St. Lawrence, 106-22.

Sept. 27: The St. Lawrence University football team's offense came to life on Saturday against Merchant Marine, as sophomore quarterback JP Kearney threw for 300 yards and two touchdowns while junior tail back Connor Hackett returned to the line-up and ran for 95 yards on 23 carries. However, their offensive output would fall just short, as the United State Merchant Marine Academy Mariners caused three key turnovers including one in their own red zone to hold on for a 23-17 victory in the annual Hoffman Cup game at Captain Tomb Field in Kings Point, NY.

The loss was the fourth straight for St. Lawrence, who falls to 0-4 on the season and 0-1 in Liberty League play while the Mariners even their record at 2-2 (1-0). Senior wide receiver Ryan Cooney was named St. Lawrence's Most Valuable Player of the Hoffman Cup game, as he came through with new career highs with eight catches for 187 yards and a touchdown.

Merchant Marine's offense went for 420 yards on Saturday, thought St. Lawrence did well several times to hold the home team to field goal chances. The Saints also racked up 356 yards of offense, but the three turnovers proved to be the difference.

Sept. 20: The St. Lawrence University football team dropped its third consecutive game to open the 2008 season to Alfred University on Saturday afternoon, as the Saxons' defense allowed only three points in a 20-3 road win at Leckonby Stadium. The Saints' (0-3, 0-0) defense, led by juniors Gerard Bryant and Gabe McBride, only allowed Alfred's Pre-Season All-American Vinson Hendrix to pick up 19 yards on 15 carries.

The first half was a defensive struggle between the two teams, as neither squad's offense looked completely comfortable in the windy conditions. Alfred would grab an early 3-0 lead on a 36-yard field goal by Eric Rockwood at 4:27 of the first quarter, but St. Lawrence's offense would march down the field on the ensuing possession and set up a 1st-and-goal opportunity at the 8-yard line.

Sophomore quarterback JP Kearney, making his first collegiate start, found sophomore tight end Tim Robinson at the 3-yard line on 3rd down, but the Scarlet and Brown were forced to settle for a 20-yard field goal by senior Matt Popov to even the score at 3-3 with 2:21 remaining in the first quarter.

Sept. 13: The St. Lawrence University football team received an impressive performance by junior tailback Eric Jones against Norwich on Saturday in the Saints' home-opener at Leckonby Stadium. Jones rushed for 99 yards on 19 carries and added a touchdown, but much like last weekend against Johns Hopkins, costly turnovers would doom the Saints as they fell to the Cadets, 27-7.

In a game that featured both team's ground attacks, Norwich out-gained St. Lawrence 253-191 with the Saints holding a 96-49 yard advantage on passing plays. Though the statistics were very evenly matched, the home team turned the ball over four times, one of which led to a defensive touchdown.

After the Saints' defense forced Norwich to punt on the opening series, the home team started their first drive with junior quarterback Mike Wayne under center making his first collegiate start. However, on the opening snap, Wayne handed off to fellow classmate Chris Wagner, who was popped by Norwich's senior linebacker Jim Kiritsy, jarring the ball loose. Norwich's Donovan Brown scooped up the ball at the St. Lawrence 20-yard line and took it to the end zone for a 6-0 lead for the visitors. The extra point try failed.

Sept. 6: The St. Lawrence University football team dropped its 2008 season opener to Johns Hopkins at Homewood Field in Baltimore, MD on Saturday afternoon by the score of 34-3. The Saints (0-1, 0-0) were unable to overcome seven turnovers, including three that went for Blue Jay touchdowns.

Tropical storm Hanna wreaked havoc with both field conditions and play-calling, with neither team able to get their offense going in the first quarter. It wasn't until sophomore quarterback Michael Baraldi's second interception of the game gave Johns Hopkins possession at the visitor's 19-yard line that the scoreless tie would be broken. Andrew Kase, the Blue Jays top returning tail back, burst through the middle for a 19-yard touchdown run to give the home team a 7-0 advantage.

On the ensuing drive, the Saints faced a 3rd-and-5 at their own 36-yard line when Baraldi was picked off by Chris Baldwin and returned for a 45-yard touchdown with 2:04 remaining in the first quarter. The score built Hopkins' advantage to 14-0 following Alex Lachman's extra point split the uprights.

Baldwin wasn't near done scoring yet, though, as the very St. Lawrence play from scrimmage was fumbled by junior Chris Wagner and returned by Baldwin for a 32-yard touchdown return. The score, followed by Lachman's third extra point, brought the lead to 21-0 with 1:45 to play in the first quarter.