Union football seeks to end three losing streaks at once

PHOTOGRAPHER: Peter R. Barber

Union running back Connor Kinzelmann on playing Hobart: 'Just play our game. That's about it.'

The Union College football team already snapped one losing streak this season when they ended a 12-game slide with its 28-13 win over Western Connecticut State two weeks ago. But there are three other losing streaks the Dutchmen have hanging over them.

They have lost eight straight Liberty League games.

And 11 consecutive road contests.

And six in a row to Hobart.

Union can end all three of those skids today.

The Dutchmen (1-2) head to Geneva to take on 22nd-ranked Hobart (3-0) in the Liberty League opener for both teams.

“It’s going to take everyone’s contributions,” Dutchmen senior safety Brian Alebiosu said. “Especially as a new team, we’re all physical and we’re all disciplined. If we’re going to work together, we can definitely do it and get the job done. I have no doubts about our team. We’re definitely going there to play our hearts out, especially with an opportunity like this. This is what every college football player dreams of, just knocking off top-rated teams.”

Snapping those losing streaks won’t be easy.

The Statesmen have gotten off to a great start, outscoring their opponents 106-58. They had won four straight Liberty League titles before being dethroned last year by St. Lawrence.

Hobart has been very difficult to beat at home — 24-2 in its last 26 home games.

“We’ve just got to play our game and just do what we know we can do, which is listening to the coaches,” Union junior running back Connor Kinzelmann said. “Just play our game. That’s about it.”

Union’s last Liberty League win came against United States Merchant Marine Academy on Nov. 8, 2014, a 59-32 decision at Frank Bailey Field. The Dutchmen’s last road victory came Nov. 9, 2013, a 27-14 triumph at Merchant Marine.

While Union leads the series against Hobart 50-47-2, the Statesmen have dominated lately.

In their six straight wins over the Dutchmen, the Statesmen have outscored Union 247-130. Last year’s contest at Frank Bailey Field wasn’t even close, as Hobart rolled to a 52-14 win.

“I don’t really look at the streaks as anything that important,” first-year Union head coach Jeff Behrman said. “I don’t even bring it up to our players. It’s just a matter of taking care of our own business and doing what we’re supposed to do and executing our game plan.

“Certainly, [with] going to Hobart this weekend, we’re excited to get on the bus and travel to play a formidable opponent. It creates a great opportunity as a program and for our players to go in there and play a ranked opponent and see where we’re at and make some noise.”

Only two games in the last six in the series have been decided by less than 10 points. Hobart won 41-35 in overtime in 2010, and 42-32 two years later.

Despite being dominated by Hobart, Kinzelmann doesn’t think Union is afraid of the Statesmen.

“I don’t think any team’s intimidating to any of us,” Kinzelmann said.

“We’re all football players, we all play football [and] we all know the game. We have to go out there and just do our job and win the game.

“You’ve just got to stay calm and just believe in yourself, believe in the team, believe in the guy next you, have faith and win the game.”

NO DECISION ON QB

Behrman declined to identify who will start at quarterback today. Sophomore Nick Cascione injured his knee late in the fourth quarter of last Saturday’s loss to Western New England. First-year quarterback Griffin Beal finished the game.

The Dutchmen are already down a quarterback. Junior Dante Cioffi suffered a knee injury in training camp.

“Right now, it’ll be a day-to-day thing,” Behrman said. “We’re moving forward. We’re preparing the guys that are able to play in the football game, and they’ll do the best they can and help us win.”