Panthers nearly pull off impossible upset Middlebury holds top-ranked and undefeated Trinity Bantams in check

Author: Jonathan Brand

For three quarters on Saturday, the Panthers had all of Alumni Stadium believing the football team could pull off what would have unquestionably been the biggest win of the Bob Ritter Era. The fourth quarter, however, grounded everyone in reality. The Trinity Bantams showed the crowd of 950 why they have been the best team in the NESCAC for the past three seasons, dominating the time of possession in the fourth frame en route to a 14-0 victory.

On a perfect late October afternoon, Middlebury (1-5) became the 28th straight victim of Trinity (6-0), who boasts the longest active winning streak in Division III. Their streak is second in all of college football only to Matt Leinart and the USC Trojans, who have won 30 consecutive games.

Trinity's offense came into the game ranked first in scoring offense in the NESCAC, averaging 33.8 points per game, but the Panther defense limited them to just two touchdowns. Although Trinity amassed 314 total yards of offense, 195 of which were on the ground, the Panthers defense held their ground in crucial situations.

"The team came out fired up," said linebacker and co-captain Coleman Hutzler '06, who had an interception, a sack and 11 tackles to lead the Panthers. "We played at a good level but came up short."

With just under four minutes remaining in the third quarter, Trinity held a 6-0 lead and had the ball on fourth and goal at the Middlebury one-yard line. As the crowd rose to its feet to unnerve Trinity, the Bantams directly snapped the ball to running back Gennaro Leo. Leo, who finished with 102 yards on the ground, rushed to the left and looked for a path into the end zone but was denied by Eric Woodring '08 and John Lanahan '08, who stuffed him at the line of scrimmage.

The Bantam offense came alive in the final quarter, however, and their rushing game finally proved to be too much for Middlebury. On Trinity's first series of the period, running backs Chandler Bernard, Jordan Quinones and Leo combined to move the ball down to the Panther one-yard line. Quarterback Josh Pitcher capped the drive with a one-yard pass to wide receiver Chris Olenoski for the second score of the afternoon.

Nevertheless, holding the best offense in NESCAC to the second-fewest points they have scored all season is an accomplishment to be proud of.

"Our defense came up big," said Head Coach Bob Ritter. "They were excellent."

The offense, conversely, struggled mightily after their 41-point romp over Bates last weekend. Against Trinity's number two-ranked defense in the NESCAC, the Panthers only managed 89 total yards on offense. Tiger Lyon '06 was 13 for 25 for 47 yards passing, but was sacked four times for 37 yards.

Stefan Hrdina 'YEAR continued his successful season, rushing for 77 yards against the top rushing defense in the NESCAC, but the woeful passing game and good defense by Trinity made the second half a chore for the junior running back.

"He did a great job, played hard and tough," said Ritter, "and he earned every yard."

The Panthers had great field position throughout the first half, but only managed to get into the Trinity red zone just once. Following an 11-yard punt return by Ryan Armstrong '06 with 14:12 left in the second quarter, the Panthers advanced the ball down to the Trinity 17-yard line. But an 8-yard sack by Trinity inside linebacker Avon Morgan pushed the offense just out of the range of kicker Steve Hauschka '07 and the Panthers were forced to punt.

"We moved okay on offense," said Ritter, "but the big plays didn't get done."

The Panthers will get another opportunity this weekend to prove that their offensive performance at Bates was not a fluke. The Panthers host their final home game of the season against the last-place Hamilton Continentals and hope that they can continue their strong play of the past two weeks in the annual Rocking Chair game.

"We have to come with the mentality we had today in the next two games," said Ritter. "It's the last chance for the seniors [to play at home] and we want to send them out with a win."