CLINTON, NY -- Thanks to a thrilling 21-7 come-from-behind victory Saturday over the Hamilton Continentals, Amherst College has started a season 2-0 for the first time since 2019. 

The Mammoths trailed 7-0 at halftime, but scored twice in the third quarter and once more in the third. Junior quarterback Mason Morrow threw two second-half scoring passes, while sophomore Demitrius Smith ripped off a scoring run.

Amherst (2-0) is at Tufts University next Saturday, the 28th, for a 1 p.m. kick-off. 

GAME HIGHLIGHTS:

* The game began with Hamilton's offense striking first, orchestrating a 75-yard drive capped by a touchdown run from quarterback Luke Kurzum, making it 7-0. The Mammoths struggled initially, with a series of penalties and a fumbled play that stalled their efforts. A key interception by Hamilton's Kyle Bratcher seemed to tilt momentum further in favor of the home team.

* Early in the second half, quarterback Morrow led a 75-yard drive that culminated with a touchdown pass to Owen Gaydos, leveling the score at 7-7.

* Morrow's precision passing and timely rushing by Smith highlighted a revitalized Mammoth's offense. The game shifted decisively in Amherst's favor midway through the third quarter. Following a Hamilton three-and-out, Morrow executed a masterful 81-yard drive, featuring a stunning 28-yard touchdown rush by Smith that, after a point-after kick from Hudson Fulcher-Melendy,  gave Amherst a 14-7 lead with 5:28 remaining in the third quarter.

* A critical third-down sack by Jeb Allen forced Hamilton to punt and Amherst took over at its own 34. Morrow ended the quarter with four straight completions but the Mammoths ultimately punted. On their next possession, the Mammoths drove into field goal range but had an attempt blocked. 

* The Continentals, still trailing by only seven, drove from their own 20 to the Amherst 47. After an incompletion on 3rd-and-3, they decided to go for it on fourth down, but Ty Kazanowsky filed the plan with another sack, one of three Amherst sacks on the day. 

* After Amherst punted, Hamilton drove from its 15 to its 31. On 1st-and-10, Anthony Leneghan forced a fumble that Allen scooped up and returned to the Hamilton 22. 

* On the ensuing drive, Amherst, trying tun run down the clock, faced a 4th and 12 from the Hamilton 24. Morrow found Sam Gerber open for a 24-yard TD strike with 2:52 left in the game to seal the victory at 21-7. 

By THE NUMBERS:

* Amherst: topped Hamilton in total yards, 314 to 200. Morrow was 22 of 33 passing for 206 yards, 2 TDs and one interception. 

* Gaydos had 6 receptions for 45 yards and a score. Michael Quartermain had 3 receptions for a team-high 45 yards. Gerber had three receptions for 41 yards and a TD. Carter Jung made four catches for 35 yards. Smith had three receptions for 22 yards and finished with 46 yards on the ground over 10 carries. 

* Defensively, the Mammoths held Hamilton to 30 yards rushing in the win.  Solomon Christopher made 5 tackles (3 solo, 2 assisted), Leneghan made 4 tackles (1 solo, 3 assisted). Luke Harmon made 4 tackles (3 solo, 1 assisted)and had 1 pass breakup. Kevin Agnew: made 3 tackles (2 solo, 1 assisted). Matthew Monteleone also made 3 tackles (2 solo, 1 assisted).Ty Kazanowsky: 3 tackles (3 solo) with 1 sack. Ethan Burdo made 3 tackles (1 solo, 2 assisted) and had 1 sack (9 yards)