Panthers rain on Trinity's parade

Author: Benji Thurber

On Oct. 27, the Middlebury football team overcame wet and stormy conditions to defeat Trinity for the first time since 2001, 23-14. The win improved Middlebury's record to 5-1 and propelled the Panthers into a first place tie atop the NESCAC with Tufts, who also won on Saturday. The Bantams, who fell to 4-2, scored two touchdowns in the first quarter but were shut out by the Panther defense the rest of the way.

"This was a huge win for all of us, but especially for the seniors," said quarterback Donald McKillop '11. "It was awesome for them to be on the other side of a game like this and finally beat Trinity."

Trinity scored the first points of the game early in the first quarter. Bantam quarterback Eric McGrath found receiver Joe Clark, who caught the ball three times for 124 yards, on a deep pass down the sideline for a 68-yard touchdown reception to put the Bantams up 7-0 with 12:42 remaining in the first quarter.

The Panther offense was unable to move the ball on Middlebury's next possession, but the Panther defense forced a three-and-out, and the Bantams botched the snap on their punt attempt, turning the ball over on downs at their own 17-yard line. The Panthers quickly took advantage, as David Randolph '08, who finished with 30 carries for 70 yards, put Middlebury on the board with a three-yard touchdown rush.

The Bantams responded on their next possession. McGrath, who completed 7 of 30 passes for 158 yards and two scores, capped an eight-play, 62-yard drive with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Matt Stafford.

Before the second quarter could begin, the game was delayed because of lightning in the area. After play resumed, the Panther offense was much more effective moving the ball down the field. A potential Panther scoring drive was cut short, though, by a McKillop fumble on a quarterback sneak at the Trinity seven-yard line, but Middlebury came through on their next possession. McKillop hit Andrew Matson '09 with a short pass and he broke several tackles en route to a 40-yard touchdown.

McKillop, who completed 14 of 22 passes for 145 yards and two touchdowns, was proud of the way the Panthers responded to the wet conditions and unforeseen delays. "Our team was physically and mentally prepared for anything and it showed on the field," said McKillop. "You can't make excuses. Once you get on the lines, it's how you play that counts."

The third quarter was a battle of field position and neither team was able to score.

The Panthers used great play by the defense and special teams to move ahead early in the fourth quarter. Britton landed a punt on the Trinity one-yard line, pinning the Bantams in front of their own goal line.

On Trinity's first play, linebacker Erik Woodring '08 tackled McGrath for a safety, putting Middlebury up 16-14 with 10:38 remaining. The Bantams blocked a Britton field goal attempt on the ensuing possession but set up another score for the Panthers with a costly turnover on their next drive. McGrath fumbled and Panther linebacker Eric Kamback '10, who finished with eight tackles and two fumble recoveries, recovered on the Trinity 25-yard line.

McKillop capitalized for the Panthers on fourth down, rolling out of the pocket to his left and finding Timothy Dillon '09 on a 25-yard touchdown pass with 4:20 remaining. The Bantams were unable to respond on their final two possessions, turning the ball over on downs and on an interception, and the Panthers were able to run out the clock.