GAME INFORMATION
Hilbert College Hawks (0-7, 0-5) at Union College Garnet Chargers (5-2, 4-0)
Saturday, November 1st | 1 PM | Frank Bailey Field at Bertagna-Class of 1985 Stadium | Schenectady, NY
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LAST GAME
Hilbert fell to 0-7 (0-4 in Liberty League) following a 69-14 defeat to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute last Saturday at St. Francis High School.
The Hawks got a pair of rushing touchdowns from Christian Hamilton Jr in the contest, including the longest rushing play in the Liberty League this season (67-yard rush). Hamilton Jr led the Hawks in the game with 80 rushing yards and the two scores, while Darrion Montgomery and Mike Hanlon chipped in with 40 and 35 yards, respectively.
On Monday, Hamilton Jr became the first Hawk to earn a Liberty League honor, as the freshman slot was named the conference's rookie of the week in a performance that saw him record the first two rushing TD's against RPI this season in conference play.
Defensively, Da'von Cockrell paced the Hawks with eight total tackles, while Efrain Colon, Brody Hopkins, and Xavier Johnson each recorded tackles for loss. Hopkins also notched a sack, and Damonte Malone's forced fumble and recovery led directly to Hilbert's second touchdown.
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STATS
Hilbert continues to lean on the ground game, averaging 188.4 rushing yards per game. Sophomore Mike Hanlon leads the team with 445 yards on 107 carries (5th in Liberty League in rushing yards), while Christian Hamilton Jr. has added 283 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 6.7 yards per carry. Freshman Joseph Edick has matched Hamilton with two rushing scores, while Darrion Montgomery, Brody Hopkins, and Xzavier Patrick have each found the end zone once.
Through the air, Noah Workman, Hopkins, and Montgomery have combined for 196 passing yards, led by Bryce Robinson's 86 receiving yards on four catches. Nicholas West has added five receptions for 60 yards.
Defensively, Da'von Cockrell anchors the unit with 45 total tackles, two forced fumbles, and an 86-yard interception return for a touchdown against Alfred State earlier this season. Scotty Winchell (48 tackles) and Kaden Beckerink (33 tackles) round out a strong linebacking corps. Up front, Clifford Zeigler leads the team with two sacks, while Cockrell, Damon Hollister, Neven Dermady, Sherrad Patterson II, Brody Hopkins, and Xavier Johnson each have one. The Hawks have forced six fumbles and intercepted three passes on the year.
Bryce Robinson, Amari Wilbon, and Jareese Gaines handle the return duties for Hilbert, with Gaines averaging 17.1 yards per kick return. Noah Workman and Angelo Schwarzott continue to share special teams duties, with Workman converting a field goal and Schwarzott going 6-of-7 on PATs.
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COACHING STAFF
Ted Egger returns for his third year leading the football program at Hilbert after stops at Hocking College, Pearl River Community College, Concordia University, Adams State University, Lock Haven University, Ferris State University, and Northwood University.
Egger is joined by John Noel, Aron Aydelott, Henry Baxter, Justin Mott, and William Goldsworthy on the sidelines.
THE OPPONENT
Union College enters Saturday's matchup with a 5-2 overall record (4-0 Liberty League) after knocking off Ithaca College, 19-14, on the road last weekend. The Garnet Chargers have now won five straight after opening the season with losses to nationally ranked Susquehanna and Cortland.
Union's offense is balanced, averaging 384.1 yards and 25.0 points per game. Quarterback Patch Flanagan leads the charge with 1,443 passing yards and nine touchdowns, while also adding a team-best 618 rushing yards and eight scores on the ground. Gil Rivera is his top target with 29 receptions for 431 yards and four touchdowns, with Dan Quinn (283 yards, two TDs) and Owen Corrigan (204 yards, two TDs) also enjoying success in the passing game.
Defensively, the Garnet Chargers allow just 16.9 points per contest and have recorded 22 sacks. John Droggitis leads the unit with 55 total tackles, while Jordan Black has posted 9.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. Logan Miller and Daniel O'Leary have combined for seven sacks up front, and Lucas Coleman and Matt Mitchell have each recorded a team-high four pass breakups. Kicker Francesco Pileggi has converted 4-of-5 field goals and 20-of-22 PATs.
Union is coached by Joe Drach, who is in his second season leading the Garnet Chargers. In his first season at the helm, Union posted a 3-1 record at home as part of a challenging 10-game schedule that saw the team on the road for five of its first seven games. The team had 11 student-athletes named to the All-Liberty League teams and three - seniors Cole DaSilva and Nate Sullivan and sophomore Hayden Hall - earn D3football.com All-Region recognition.
