September 8, 2012 - Geneva College
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September 8, 2012

Picture of September 8, 2012

Geneva, NY - One week after participating in the highest scoring game in program history, Geneva College ran into a defensive machine in nationally ranked Hobart College and the results were far different. The Golden Tornadoes managed just one late game touchdown to avoid a shut-out in a 28-7 loss to Hobart. The final score itself may be somewhat misleading as the only points of the first half came on a pair of one-yard touchdown drives as a result of back to back punt blocks.

Geneva′s offense racked up 709 yards and 53 points of offense against Frostburg State in the season opener in a 56-53 loss to the Bobcats last Saturday. This week, the Golden Tornadoes were kept silent for most of the day and came up with only 176 yards of total offense on 62 plays. Rocco Colavecchia′s 22-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter was the only offense for Geneva, who broke Hobart′s seven quarter shut-out string to start the 2012 season.

The fate of Geneva on this day was set in the first half when Hobart blocked a pair of punts that led directly to scores by the Statesmen. Hobart blocked its first punt in the final minute of the first quarter and then blocked another midway through the second quarter that resulted in a 14-0 halftime lead.

The game remained a 14-0 score until Hobart connected on an 83 yard touchdown drive that was aided by a third down personal foul that would have gotten Geneva off of the field. As a result, the Statesmen opened up a three touchdown lead early in the fourth quarter. Hobart scored its final touchdown of the game on a 26 yard hook-up that gave the Statesmen a 28-0 lead before Geneva was able to erase its goose egg. With 4:10 remaining in the fourth quarter, Colavecchia scored on a 22-yard run that capped a 49 yard drive that was set up by a Scott Erb fumble recovery.

"Our defense played so hard all day," said Geneva head coach Geno DeMarco. "They came here with a chip on their shoulders and gave a tremendous effort against a very good football team. Offensively, we could never find a flow and much of it was a result of an outstanding defense at Hobart. We schedule games against quality opponents to get us ready for the games that count in conference play and we know that we have prepared as well as we can for next week′s opener."

Colavecchia led Geneva′s ground attack with 57 yards on 21 carries while also completing 8-20 through the air for 100 yards. One week after setting school records for passing yardage (535) and touchdown passes (7), Zack Hayward was forced out of the game with a first half injury and was never able to return.

Geneva′s defense yielded only 309 yards in the game and was led by Ryan Fronius and Dillon Goodell who each posted ten tackles. Fronius also forced the only Hobart fumble of the day that resulted in Geneva′s lone touchdown.

The Golden Tornadoes will complete their three-game road trip to open the season next Saturday when they visit Thiel College in Greenville, PA for the PAC opener with the kickoff scheduled for 12 pm. Following a bye week, the Golden Tornadoes will finally play its first home game against four-time defending PAC champion Thomas More on September 29th at 1 pm.

Geneva College is a comprehensive Christian college of the arts, sciences and professional studies. Founded in the tradition of the Reformed Christian faith, Geneva prepares students to serve Christ in all areas of society: work, family and the church. Geneva College′s philosophy of education is based on the Foundational Concepts of Christian Higher Education. Geneva is a founding member of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU).

Sep 8, 2012