Kickoff: 1:00 PM ET
Venue: Boswell Field at David J. Urick Stadium, Geneva, New York (Capacity: ~4,500)
Broadcast: ESPN+ / Liberty League Network
Weather Forecast (Geneva, NY)
Temperature: ~71°F (22°C) at kickoff, cooling into the mid-60s by the 4th quarter
Conditions: Partly cloudy, light winds (6–10 mph)
Impact: Comfortable early fall football weather; no disruptions expected.
Injury Report
Utica Pioneers (Empire 8):
QB Owen McCown (ankle) – Probable.
RB Robert Henry (hamstring) – Questionable.
LB Ethan Carter (shoulder) – Out.
Hobart Statesmen (Liberty League):
QB Shawn Kelliher (starter, 4 TDs, 1 INT through 2 games) – Healthy.
RB Sam Wheeler (knee) – Probable.
WR Evan Miller (concussion protocol) – Doubtful.
Key Player Matchups
QB Owen McCown (Utica) vs. Hobart Secondary
McCown’s ability to extend plays and throw deep will test Hobart’s defensive backs.
RB Robert Henry (Utica) vs. Hobart Front Seven
If active, Henry’s downhill running could help Utica control tempo and keep Hobart’s offense off the field.
QB Shawn Kelliher (Hobart) vs. Utica Pass Rush
Kelliher has been efficient and accurate; Utica must pressure him to avoid long, sustained drives.
WR Evan Miller (Hobart) vs. Utica Corners
If cleared, Miller is Kelliher’s top target; Utica will likely shade coverage his way.
Recent Team Form
Utica Pioneers (1–1, Empire 8)
9/6/25: W 34–20 vs. St. Lawrence
9/13/25: L 31–24 @ Brockport
Trend: Offense averaging 29 PPG; defense has been opportunistic but vulnerable against the run.
Hobart Statesmen (2–0, Liberty League)
9/6/25: W 28–23 vs. Alfred
9/13/25: W 35–14 @ Morrisville State
Trend: Balanced attack averaging 31.5 PPG; defense allowing just 18.5 PPG.
Series History
Hobart leads the all-time series.
Last meeting (2023): Hobart defeated Utica 30–20 in Geneva.
Utica has not beaten Hobart since 2019.
Betting Trends
Utica:
2–3 ATS in last 5 games.
3 of last 5 games have gone over the total.
1–4 SU in last 5 road games.
Hobart:
4–1 ATS in last 5 games.
3 of last 5 games have gone under the total.
5–0 SU in last 5 home games.
Head-to-Head: Hobart has covered in 3 of the last 4 meetings.
Historical Betting Results
Utica: Struggles ATS as a road underdog; overs common due to defensive lapses.
Hobart: Strong ATS at home; defense-driven unders frequent.
Empire 8 vs. Liberty League: Liberty League teams cover ~57% of the time in interconference matchups.
Game Odds
Utica Pioneers 50.5
Hobart Statesmen – 7.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 19, 2025
