Editors’ Note: We are excited to announce that a group of writers from around the NESCAC will be contributing to the blog for the remainder of the football season and hopefully beyond. This post is written by Pat English, a junior government major at Hamilton. Pat is an Opinion editor and sports writer at The Spectator, Hamilton’s student-run newspaper.
A season ago, the Colby game marked a turning point for Hamilton’s offense. For the first time all season, the Continentals scored more than 14 points, putting up 29 by the end of the third quarter alone. The Mules mounted a furious comeback, however, scoring 19 unanswered points to eke out a 32-29 victory. Heading into today’s matchup the teams are separated by just a game in the NESCAC standings and desperate for a win, which should make for another exciting matchup.
Hamilton Offense vs. Colby Defense: This year, the two teams meet at similar points in their seasons. At 1-3, Colby ranks last in the league in yards per game and seventh in scoring offense. Hamilton (0-4) is also struggling on that side of the ball, coming in at ninth and eighth, respectively in those categories.
Hamilton’s passing offense has struggled out of the gate, with quarterbacks Chase Rosenberg and Colin Pastorella combining for ten interceptions on the season, compared to just three touchdowns. However, Rosenberg has completed 58 percent of his passes, which portends good things for the freshman going forward. The early-season flux at the quarterback position stalled Hamilton’s offense in their first two games as they combined for only 13 points. Head coach Andrew Cohen has committed to Rosenberg, giving some continuity to the attack. The output has been noticeable on the field as the Continentals matched their two-game total with 13 points against Trinity’s vaunted defense and 21 a week later against Bowdoin. Rosenberg’s accuracy will be a key to Saturday’s game, particularly if he can get the ball into the hands of Joe Jensen, who ranks third in the NESCAC with 281 receiving yards and is Hamilton’s best playmaker on offense.
Hamilton has had better luck on the ground, where it ranks sixth in the NESCAC, averaging a shade under 125 rushing yards a game. Rico Gonzalez leads the way with 62 carries for 234 yards (9th in the NESCAC) and two touchdowns. With senior James Stanell injured, Gonzalez and Simon Jia have picked up the slack, with Jia scoring his first touchdown last weekend while carrying the ball four times for 24 yards.
The Mules, however, pride themselves on their defense, the third-ranked unit in total defesne. Zach Padula is tied for the conference lead with three interceptions and Jason Buco is the only defensive back in the top 10 in sacks, with two quarterback takedowns. If the Mules can stop Gonzalez, they will force Rosenberg to make plays through the air, which will give Colby’s ball-hawking corners a chance to make plays on the outside. Edge: Colby
Colby Offense vs. Hamilton Defense: Colby’s quarterbacks are not much better than Hamilton’s. Justin Ciero has completed 55.3 percent of his passes, while throwing just 4 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. Like Rosenberg, Ciero is coming off a three-interception game. His composure and accuracy will be a concern as Colby has failed to score more than 10 points since their 31-8 thrashing of Williams in the season opener. However, he has a trio of receivers with over 100 yards on the season in Luke Duncklee, Nick Joseph and Ryder Arsenault. If Ciero can consistently find his receivers, the Colby offense will click. In particular, if Ciero can get the ball to Duncklee in space, the Mulles add an entirely new dimension to their offense.
Ciero has also leads the Mules’ ground attack, with 50 attempts for 153 yards on the season. Outside of the quarterback position, the Mules run a well-balanced system with Thomas Brewster and Duncklee combining for 150 yards.
Hamilton’s total defense has not been great through for games, ranking just eighth in the conference and allowing about 372 yards per game. Their scoring defense is even worse—dead last with 33.2 points allowed. If there is a bright spot on the defense it’s linebacker John Phelan who has registered 35 tackles, good for seventh in the NESCAC.
Still, the Continentals tendency to allow big plays does not bode well against the triple threat of Ciero, Brewster, and Duncklee. Look for the Mules to break out for big gains in this contest, and keep your eyes open for a trick play involving Duncklee. Edge: Colby
Special Teams: Neither team gains much of an edge in the field position game as Colby’s Louw Scheepers averages 33 yards per punt while Hamilton’s Patrick Donahoe averages 34.8. However, Donahoe has missed two extra points in the kicking game while Scheepers has made three field goals this season, including a 43-yarder. The teams are very similar in kick returns, with Colby slightly edging Hamilton in average yards, 18.6 to 18.2. Scheepers’ kicking ability, however, gives the Mules the slight edge in this category. Edge: Colby
The Call: Hamilton’s steady rise on offense has come against a pair of strong defenses in Trinity and Bowdoin. With the Mules’ third-ranked unit coming to Clinton, however, the Continentals have another stout unit on their hands. Colby’s ability to run the ball will be the difference, and despite strides on offense, Hamilton won’t be able to match the Mules’ scoring output. Colby 31, Hamilton 14.