AMHERST, Mass. – Junior quarterback Mike Piazza connected with sophomore Owen Gaydos on an 8-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to lift the Amherst College football team to a 17-14 win over Bowdoin College in NESCAC action on Saturday at Pratt Field at Lehrman Stadium.

The results leave both squads with a 2-6 record in a five-way tie for sixth place in the NESCAC entering the final week of the season. Included in that group is Williams, who the Mammoths will visit to close the season on Saturday, Nov. 12, in the 136th playing of The Biggest Little Game in America at noon. The game will air on NESN with watch parties across the country and around the world.

Amherst's 12 seniors were honored before the game, which was the final home game for Alexis Chavez-Salinas, Nick Diprinzio, Kevin Girardi, Conor Kennelly, Manni Malone, Flynn McGilvray, Charles McKissick, Carson Ochsenhirt, Chad Peterson, John Schiano, Logan Shooster and Tim Swope.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS:

* Bowdoin had the first possession of the game but on just the third play from scrimmage, sophomore defensive back Solomon Christopher tackled a Bowdoin receiver as he was catching a pass, jarring the ball loose for junior defensive back Raymond Dixon to come up with the interception and give Amherst the ball at the Bowdoin 27-yard line.

* Sophomore tailback Jack Roberge ran to the outside from 7 yards out and made it to the end zone for his first collegiate touchdown to give the Mammoths an early 7-0 lead.

* The Polar Bears put together an 18-play, 59-yard drive that took 11 minutes spanning the first and second quarters and culminated with a 4-yard touchdown run by junior Andre Eden that tied the score at 7-7, where the score remained through halftime.

* First-year defensive back Matt Monteleone came up with his first collegiate interception in the third quarter, reeling in a tipped pass and returning it 14 yards to give the Mammoths the ball at the Bowdoin 20-yard line.

* After gaining seven more yards, senior Conor Kennelly kicked a 30-yard field goal to give the Mammoths a 10-7 lead.

* The Polar Bears took the lead before the third quarter was through with a drive that included a 38-yard completion from sophomore quarterback Robbie Long to senior tight end Brendan King. Long then found junior Colton Fahey open in the end zone for a 21-yard touchdown pass that gave Bowdoin a 14-10 lead.

* On the first play of the fourth quarter, first-year defensive lineman Kemit Fisher sacked Long for a 12-yard loss on third down to force a punt. Fielding the punt at the Bowdoin 47-yard line, junior Cam Jones ran for a 20-yard punt return to give the Mammoths the ball on the Bowdoin 27-yard line.

* The game-winning touchdown play came from 8 yards out with 11:06 on the clock in the fourth quarter as Piazza found Gaydos streaking towards the left corner of the end zone several steps ahead of the Bowdoin defender. It was the first collegiate touchdown for Gaydos, giving the Mammoths a 17-14 lead.

* The Polar Bears got the ball back at their own 19-yard line with 58 seconds to go but a last-gasp drive attempt was stymied when senior defensive back Charles McKissick picked off a pass at midfield for his first collegiate interception in his final play on Pratt Field at Lehrman Stadium.



BY THE NUMBERS:

* The Polar Bears had the advantage in both passing yards (109-94) and rushing yards (115-55) and were 10 of 18 on third-down conversions while the Mammoths were 2 of 12.

* The Mammoths' three interceptions were the most in a game this season and the Amherst defense allowed Bowdoin only one trip inside the red zone.

* Piazza was 12-for-21 with 94 passing yards and 20 rushing yards, throwing one touchdown pass and no interceptions.

* First-year Sam Gerber led the Mammoths with 5 receptions for 36 yards, the most productive outing of his rookie season.

* Long was 12-for-23 with 109 passing yards for the Polar Bears while Eden rushed for 100 yards.