ONEONTA, N.Y. - Hartwick broke open a tight game with a 14-point third quarter en route to posting a convincing 35-14 victory over Mount Ida, Saturday afternoon at Wright Stadium. The Hawks improved to 5-2 overall, while the Mustangs fell to 2-6.
Leading 21-14 at the half, Lindy Crea (Binghamton, N.Y.) broke the game wide open with two scoring runs of 15 and 65 yards to give the Hawks a three-touchdown advantage heading into the fourth quarter. The senior's second score capped off a four-play, 95-yard drive which lasted 2:04.
After a scoreless 15 minutes, the Hawks opened the game's scoring on the first play in the second quarter as Jason Boltus (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) hooked up with Jack Phelan (Slingerlands, N.Y.) for a 32-yard scoring strike. The connection increased the lead to 14-0 six minutes later at 8:54 on a 12-yard pass, a play that ended an eight-play, 82-yard drive.
The Mustangs got on the board at 6:45 of the second as Mark Skehan barreled his way over the goal line from two yards out. Hartwick's third touchdown was set up as P.J. Matthews was intercepted by Ben Zarzycki (Gansevoort, N.Y.), who ran the ball back to the Mount Ida 25 yard line. Six plays later, Noah Koreman (Albany, N.Y.) caught a six-yard pass from running back Sean McKenna (Massapequa, N.Y.) on a third and goal to give Hartwick what appeared like a comfortable 21-7 lead heading into intermission. However, the Mustangs used a 13-play drive that ended on a one-yard QB sneak by P.J. Matthews on the final play of the first half.
Hartwick finished with a 543-344 advantage in total offense. Boltus completed 18 of 29 passes for 307 yards, while Phelan caught seven passes for 194 yards. Crea posted his second-consecutive 100-yard rushing game with a 184-yard effort on 21 attempts.
The Hawk defense picked off Mount Ida five times on the afternoon. Zarzycki had two interceptions, while Jordan Alger (Norwich, N.Y.), Zachary Kerzner (Sayville, N.Y.), and Mike Ashcraft (Westbrookville, N.Y.) each had one in the victory. Paul DeSapio (Troy, N.Y.) paced the Hartwick defense with a team-best eight tackles.
The Mustangs were led by the duo of Matthews and Kyle Watkins. Matthews passed for 242 yards, while Watkins caught seven passes for 139 yards. Skehan led the Mount Ida rushing attack with 75 yards on 22 carries.
The victory marks the fourth time Hartwick has avenged 2006 losses this year. Previously, the Hawks downed Ithaca, St. John Fisher, and Husson. The Mustangs edged Hartwick 21-20 last season.
The Hawks return to action next Saturday as they travel to face Empire 8 Conference foe, Norwich. The game begins at 1 p.m.
