GENEVA, NY— The Alfred University football team opened its 2026 season with a hard-fought 24-17 loss against Hobart College on Friday evening at Boswell Field.
"I'm proud of the way that our kids competed for 60 minutes tonight, but we need to be better in all three phases of the game," Head Coach
Bob Rankl said. "We will get back to work immediately this week and we know that we must practice and play with a higher level of focus as a team."
The Saxons established an early offensive rhythm, putting together a 13-play opening drive.
Matt Parker (Middletown, DE/Gilman School) connected on three passes of more than 10 yards to move Alfred University into the red zone. Near the goal line,
Tommy Nyquist (Warren, PA/Warren Area) found the end zone out of the wildcat formation to cap the drive and give the Saxons an early 7-0 advantage.
Hobart answered on its ensuing possession with a touchdown to even the score at 7-7.
The Statesmen threatened to take the lead later in the first half, but the Alfred University defense came up with a key stop, forcing a turnover on downs after an incomplete pass from the two-yard line. Neither team was able to find the red zone again before halftime, sending the teams into the break tied, 7-7.
Hobart took its first lead of the evening early in the third quarter after an Alfred University miscue resulted in a safety. The Statesmen extended their advantage just one play later, scoring on a screen pass for a touchdown.
The Saxons responded with an 11-play scoring drive that ended with
Dominic Bronco (Rochester, NY/Aquinas) connecting on a 22-yard field goal to cut the deficit and make it 16-10 heading into the fourth quarter.
Hobart added another touchdown early in the fourth quarter to extend its lead, but Alfred University continued to battle. Parker connected with
Cameron Lew (Suffern, NY/Suffern) on a touchdown pass to bring the Saxons within one score.
With 2:51 remaining, the Alfred University defense gave the offense another opportunity when
Martin Flanders Jr (Schuylerville, NY/Schuylerville) recovered a Hobart fumble at the Statesmen 28-yard line. The Saxons drove to the 16-yard line but were unable to convert in the closing minutes as Hobart held on for the 24-17 victory.
Alfred University will return to action next Saturday, traveling to Ithaca College for a 6:00 PM kickoff.
--Swords Forward Saxons--
