Four members of the Hobart football team were recognized by the Liberty League office for their roles in a 20-17 win over Utica on Saturday. Senior linebacker Mike McGhee (Germantown Academy/Jamison, Pa.) headlined the quartet, winning the Liberty League Defensive Performer of the Week award.
Senior kick returner Tahj Jackson (Brighton/Rochester, N.Y.), junior running back E.J. Taylor (Salon/Salon, Ohio) and first-year linebacker Nate Bush (Blair Academy/St. Thomas, Ontario) were recognized with a spot on the league’s weekly honor roll.
McGhee led a strong performance by the defense against a high-flying Utica offense. He posted a game-high 14 tackles, including a half a tackle for loss. The Pioneers came into the game second in the nation in passing (456.5), third in pass efficiency (235.27), fifth in completion percentage (.786) and 20th in scoring (45.0), but were limited to 287 yards passing, a 135.02 passer rating, .667 completion percentage and a mere 17 points.
Through three games, McGhee leads the team with 30 tackles. He leads the Liberty League averaging 10.0 tackles per game. In 35 career games, McGhee has 164 tackles, 19 for loss, 10 pass breakups, seven sacks, five fumble recoveries, four interceptions and three forced fumbles.
Jackson averaged 37.3 yards per kickoff return on Saturday. He returned the opening kickoff 32 yards to the Hobart 37. In the second quarter, Jackson had a career-long 45-yard return to the Utica 43. His final return of the game went for 35 yards and gave Hobart the ball at their own 49.
This season, Jackson has five returns for 179 yards. He’s second in the league in return average at 35.8. Jackson has played in 12 career games on special teams and at running back.
Taylor rushed for 105 yards and three touchdowns against the Pioneers. It’s his sixth 100-yard rushing game in the past seven outings and his fourth three-TD game in his last five. Taylor scored on runs of 5 and 2 yards in the first quarter and punched the game-winning score in from 1 yard out in the final frame. Utica came into the game allowing just 92.5 yards rushing per game and no individual player had gained more than 63 yards on the ground against the Pioneers.
In three games, Taylor has 265 yards rushing and shares the league lead with six touchdowns. Through 25 career games, he has 1,794 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns. Taylor is 13th on Hobart’s career rushing touchdowns list and 15th in career rushing yards.
Bush contributed four tackles, including a solo sack, two quarterback hurries and recovered a fumble to help Hobart beat Utica 20-17. His fumble recovery came on the Pioneers’ final offensive play of the game, clinching the Statesmen victory. Bush also had a 5-yard kickoff return on a pooch kick by Utica.
A starter in all three games this season, Bush has nine tackles.
Hobart (1-2) will open Liberty League Saturday, Sept. 27 when it visits Ithaca (2-1, 1-0). Kickoff at Butterfield Stadium is scheduled for 1 p.m.
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