MIDDLEBURY, Vt. – A hot start and strong defense helped Middlebury College to a 21-7 win over the Amherst College football team in the season opener for both NESCAC squads on Saturday at Youngman Stadium.
The Panthers scored touchdowns on three of their first four drives before the Amherst defense found its footing and held Middlebury scoreless for the remainder of the game, while the Mammoths broke through on the scoreboard on their final drive of the afternoon.
The Mammoths return to Amherst for the home opener next Saturday (Sept. 23), hosting Hamilton at 1 p.m. on Pratt Field at Lehrman Stadium.
GAME HIGHLIGHTS:
* The Panthers scored on their second snap of the game as senior quarterback Cole Kennon connected with junior Patrick Jamin for a 53-yard touchdown pass.
* It took Middlebury 11 plays to cover 60 yards for a touchdown on the next drive as senior running back Alex Maldjian rushed up the middle from three yards out to give the Panthers a 14-0 lead after Zack Levy kicked the extra point.
* The Mammoths forced a three-and-out on the next drive but the Panthers scored again on their next drive beginning from midfield. Sophomore running back Ollie Orvis snuck through to the end zone from one yard out to cap the drive and give Middlebury a 21-0 lead early in the second quarter.
* The Amherst defense forced turnovers on Middlebury's first two drives of the third quarter. Sophomore defensive back
Luke Harmon picked off a pass on the opening drive of the second half. Junior linebacker
Trey Doyle forced a fumble on the next drive and junior defensive lineman
Ethan Burdo came up with his first career fumble recovery.
* The Mammoths avoided the shutout in the final minute of the game as first-year quarterback
John Collier, making his collegiate debut, dished a 4-yard pass to senior wide receiver
Cam Jones for his first career touchdown.
BY THE NUMBERS:
* Collier threw for 127 yards, completing 15-of-27 passes to lead the Mammoths. Junior
Owen Gaydos caught 8 passes for 66 yards. Junior
Jack Roberge gained 39 rushing yards.
* Doyle was Amherst's leader on defense with 10 tackles, five of which were solo efforts.
* Kennan was 11-for-22 passing for 135 yards for Middlebury as Jamin tallied 70 receiving yards and senior Carter Stockwell rushed for 63 yards.
* Senior lineman Tomas Kenary starred on defense for the Panthers, recording 7 tackles, 4.5 sacks and an interception.
