RFC Summer Semester--Liberty League (LL) Preview (NCAA Division III)

Liberty League (LL)-- (NCAA Division III)

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2013 Final Standings

Looking back: The Hobart Statesmen were yet another team who breezed through the regular season undefeated, only to be ousted from postseason play after one or two games. The Statesmen fell to St. John Fisher, 27-6, in the second round of the NCAA Division III playoffs.  That came after they also finished unbeaten in Liberty League play at 7-0.

Looking ahead: Expect Hobart to have the target back in the Liberty League once again going into 2014.

Predicted order of finish (2013 overall record in parentheses):

1. Hobart (10-1):  The Statesmen have won 22 games overall over the past two seasons, with their only losses coming in the NCAA Division III playoffs. Maintaining that lofty streak in 2014 will depend upon whether or not Head Coach Mike Cragg can overcome the loss of more than a dozen seniors, including running back Steven Webb, as well as linebacker Devin Worthington.

2. St. Lawrence (7-3):  The Saints developed a knack for playing close games in 2013, finishing 5-2 in contents decided by 10 points or less. They hope to get over the "Hobart" hump in 2014.

3. Springfield (7-3):  A four-game winning streak to close out 2013--including a dramatic 28-27 win over Norwich in the ECAC North Atlantic Bowl--could turn out to be the sign of bigger and better things to come for the Pride in 2014.

4. Rochester (5-4):  It was a bizarre 2013 season for the Yellowjackets, a campaign that included the cancellation of their October 12 contest against Merchant Marine, as well as winning three of their first five games, before losing their last two. A tough schedule awaits them in 2014, with six games against that had a .500 or better winning percentage last season. 

5. RPI (5-5):  A promising 3-0 start quickly turned into a nightmare for the Engineers in 2013, losing four games in a row. But a season-ending 31-28 win over archrival Union (N.Y.) in the annual "Dutchman Shoes" game gives fans a slight glimmer hope going into 2014.

6. Merchant Marine (4-4):  The Mariners also had an odd season of sorts, winning their first three games of last year by exactly seven points, before being blown out by Hobart on September 28.  If that wasn't enough, the next three weeks were a series of postponements and cancellations due to the government shutdown, ending with a three-game losing streak after a 4-1 start. Still, climbing up in the LL standings might prove to be a tall order this year.

7. WPI (3-7):  The Engineers face a tremendous task in trying the right the ship after suffering their fifth straight losing season. They've had just two winning seasons since 2000: 6-3 in 2005, and 7-3 in 2008.

8. Union (N.Y.)--(3-7):  The 2013 season was one that the Dutchmen and their faithful would rather soon forget about, as they lost four of their seven games by 10 or more points. The 2014 slate has them facing the likes of Ithaca, Springfield, St. Lawrence, and Hobart, among other opponents.
  
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