MANCHESTER, NH (Sep. 18) -- Sophomore Ty Smith (Hilton, NY) was a one man wrecking crew for Hartwick College scoring all three touchdowns as the Hawks topped Saint Anselm College 21-10 this afternoon at Grappone Stadium before 1,427.
Smith caught three touchdown passes from Hartwick quarterback Mike Young (Apalachin, NY) - connecting from 15, 10 and 1 yard as Hartwick won its second straight to move to 2-1 on the season.
The game was a letdown for first year Saint Anselm (1-1) who opened their first season in 58 years last weekend topping UMass-Lowell 46-18. This week, the Hawks offense struggled throughout, managing just 105 passing yards and quarterback Kyle Van De Giesen (No. Attleboro, MA) connected for just 7 of 29 passing for the afternoon with a touchdown and two interceptions.
Young finished 15-27 for Hartwick with three touchdowns and no interceptions for 182 yards. Hartwick very quietly, but successfully, played dominant ball control in putting together 297 yards of total offense. Game control was the big story as Hartwick controlled possession for an eye-catching 37:37 of the game while limiting Saint Anselm to just 22:23.
Saint Anselm managed just 12 first downs and di most of its damage on the ground. The Hawks put together 140 ground yards to 115 for Hartwick. Sophomore Jon Turner (Foxboro, MA) led Saint Anselm with a game high 80 yards on 13 carries. Senior Jeremy Forest (New Boston, MA) added 38 yards on eight carries.
Ryan Johnson was the top receiver for the day as he led Hartwick with 71 yards on six catches. Mike Verroneau (Waterbury, CT) made two catches for 40 yards for Saint Anselm, while Travis Pelletier (Deerfield, NH) (26 yards) also grabbed two passes.
Hartwick jumped to a 7-0 lead early in the second quarter when Young found Smith for a 15 yard strike capping an 11 play 60 yard drive that consumed almost five minutes of play.
Saint Anselm answered with a 39 yard field goal from Erol Senel (University Heights, OH) that ended a 10 play 38 yard drive. But Hartwick again took control late in the second quarter, eating up 6:41 starting at their own five yard line and marching 95 yards on 11 plays that ended with a 10 yard pass from Young to Smith and Hartwick had a 14-3 lead at the break.
The Hawks offense sputtered through the entire first half as they Hawks managed just five first downs and 33 yards in the air.
The teams went scoreless in the third quarter but Hartwick iced the game midway through the fourth on a Smith one yarder from Young that ended a 45 yard drive that consumed seven plays. The drive was keyed by a 35 yard pass play from Young to Greg Balcavage (Franklin, NY) that brought Hartwick from their own 45 to the Saint Anselm 19.
Saint Anselm's offense began to shake off its sluggishness too late. The Hawks cut the lead to 21-10 on a 10 yard pass from Van De Giesen to Pelletier with 3:34 to go and after holding Hartwick on its next possession, drove to the Hartwick five with under two minutes to play. But Van De Giesen's pass intended for Kevin L'Ecuyer in the back of the end zone was intercepted by Hartwick's Steve Horton with 56 seconds left killing any late chance for a comeback.
The Hawks enjoyed strong defensive days from Geoff Raby (Attleboro, MA) who pulled down 15 tackles (11 unassisted) while Lance Flagg added 13 (five unassisted). The Hawks defense also sacked Young eight times on the afternoon. Dan Craven (Endicott, NY) led Hartwick with 11 tackles while Feddie Sarus (Utica, NY) added 10.
The Hawks now head out for their first road game as they travel to C.W. Post in Brookville, NY Saturday, September 26. Kickoff is slated for 1:00 p.m.
