Panthers show true grit in final game

Author: Jonathan Brand

After a dismal start to the season for Middlebury's offense - at one point they went scoreless for nine quarters - the unit has recorded at least 40 points in two of their last three games. They carried this momentum into Saturday's season finale, scoring two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to defeat Tufts 21-16.

Junior quarterback Tiger Lyon led the Panthers (3-5) to their first come-from-behind win of the season. Lyon, who was named the NESCAC Offensive Player of the Week, completed 24 of 37 passes for 282 yards and three touchdowns.

Lyon's success was partially due to a change in the team's offensive philosophy. Middlebury, who came into the game averaging 127.8 rushing yards per game, accumulated just 39 yards on the ground but passed for 313.

Middlebury displayed some ingenuity on offense early in the game, as senior wide receiver Ryan Armstrong took the ball from Lyon at the Tufts 48-yard line on a reverse and flung it to fellow senior receiver Cole Parlin for a 30-yard gain. Four plays later, Lyon connected with junior tight end Jamie Staples for a five-yard score to put the Panthers up 7-0.

Staples had a stellar receiving day, catching 10 balls for a season-high of 123 yards and one touchdown. Parlin, playing in his last game as Panther, had a career-high 93 yards and one touchdown.

Tufts (2-6) responded immediately as quarterback Casey D'Annolfo found receiver William Forde for a 70-yard score as the first quarter wound down, but kicker Brian McDavitt's extra point attempt was blocked.

The score was knotted at 9-9 at the half and throughout the third quarter. In the fourth, Panther sophomore receiver Derek Polsinello fumbled the ball at his own 37-yard line after catching a strike from Lyon. Tufts recovered the ball, marched down the field, and D'Annolfo lobbed the ball to Steve Menty for a 10-yard score to give the Jumbos a 16-9 lead.

The Panthers started their only comeback of the year with 8:34 left in the fourth quarter, when Lyon heaved a ball 43 yards that landed in the arms of Parlin for a touchdown. However, Tufts blocked junior kicker Steve Haushka's extra point and Middlebury still trailed by one point.

After a bold stand by the defense against Tufts running back Scott Lombardi, who rushed for 41 yards, the Panthers regained possession at the Tufts 46-yard line. With 6:00 left in the game, Parlin caught a 10-yard pass to get into the red zone and then Lyon scampered for six yards down to the 11-yard line. On the next play, Lyon dropped back to pass and delivered a perfect ball to a wide-open Armstrong in the end zone. The Panthers attempted the two-point conversion but failed and had to defend a 21-16 lead with just 4:59 to play. The Middlebury defense, which has been excellent all season, protected the lead late in the fourth quarter and cemented the win.

On Tufts' next series, Panther senior defensive back Phil Ford caught his second interception of the day. Ford ran the ball from Tufts 37-yard line down towards the end zone before being stopped at the 12. After Middlebury was unable to score from the 12, Tufts got the ball back one more time, but failed to produce.

Ford led the defense with two interceptions, followed by senior co-captain Coleman Hutzler with 13 tackles and sophomore Eric Woodring, who recorded 11 tackles.

After an 0-4 start, this season looked all but lost for head coach Bob Ritter and the Panthers, but a 3-1 finish in the second half showed some promise for next year's campaign. While the defense will lose some of its leaders this season - certainly the graduation of Hutzler will leave a void - a number of the younger members of the squad have shined during this season and the bulk of a very competitive unit will be back for next season. Offensively, the Panthers will return their top rusher, passer and receiver. With an experienced cast of characters returning, next year's team will attempt to improve on this season and hopefully compile Middlebury's first winning record in five years.