Defense carries football to 3-0

Author: George Mayer

"Cheer boys cheer, 'cause Middlebury's here. Fight boys, fight, fight with all your might."

The football team is starting to play like we've known the hockey teams to - now they are even starting to sing like them.

After disposing of Amherst on Saturday, the entire Panther team gathered in the center of Youngman Field and chanted this rhythmic fight song in unison. They have reason to celebrate. The team is off to its best start in 14 years.

Going into Saturday's game versus Amherst, the Panthers knew they were going to be tested. The Lord Jeffs were 2-0 and soundly shut out Middlebury 15-0 last year. This year's Middlebury team is different, however, and they showed exactly why in their 7-3 win that moved them to 3-0 for the first time since 1992, when the team opened the season 5-0.

After a scoreless first quarter, Amherst took a 3-0 lead with 7:47 left in the first half on a 29-yard field goal by Matt Eberhart. For the remainder of the half, each team lacked any legitimate scoring opportunities.

Early in the third quarter, Amherst drove the ball to the Middlebury 27 before the tenacious Alex Buggy '07 forced a fumble that was picked up by defensive back Brian Young '08. On the ensuing drive, quarterback Tiger Lyon '07 led the Panthers on a 13-play, 79-yard drive for the game's only touchdown. Following a 10-yard sack by Amherst's Mike Flanagan, Lyon hit tight end Jamie Staples '07 for a 26-yard gain on second and 22. Two plays later, Stefan Hrdina '07 ran in from one yard out to give the Panthers a 7-3 lead they would never look back from.

Captain Scott Secor '07 emphasized Staples' acrobatic 26-yard reception after the game. "Jamie came up with a huge catch that completely changed the complexion of the game," Secor said. "That really was the turning point. That throw and catch gave the offense the spark they needed to get a score."

For the remainder of the fourth quarter, Middlebury's defense remained dominant. Defensive back Mac Conn '07 ended the Jeffs' first fourth quarter drive with an interception in which he showed ridiculously soft hands. The Jeffs were finally able to put together a nice little drive at the end of game, although the Middlebury 36-yard line was as close as they would get.

Led by defensive linemen Kevin Ryan '07, the Middlebury defense was once again phenomenal. The Panthers have failed to allow a touchdown in the last two games and are allowing just 3.33 points per game this season. Ryan has been an absolute juggernaut, recording a Middlebury-single-season record 9.5 sacks in just three games.

"K-Ry is in a league of his own," Staples said. "Every team plans around him and can't stop him. They double-team him and put their best offensive linemen on him, but he still gets at least two sacks a game."

As Secor stated, "The thing about our defense is that even when a team starts to drive on us you get the feeling that somebody is going to make a play to shut the offense down. We have so many playmakers on the defensive line, at linebacker and a defensive back. Ryan and Erik Woodring '08 have been unreal but there are also some other players that have been getting the job done as well. Our corners have been locking people down and the front seven continues to dominate."

The key to Middlebury's success thus far, in addition to their defense, has been the minimal amount of mistakes on the offensive side of the ball. Quarterback Lyon is well aware of how good his team's defense is and has minimized penalties and turnovers. As a result, the Panthers are serious contenders to finish first in the NESCAC standings this fall.

Next up for the Panthers is what may very well be their biggest test of the season. The Panthers travel to Williamstown, Mass. on Saturday to face-off against an undefeated Eph team that soundly defeated Trinity, a team that had not lost in three years, in a 41-17 game earlier this season.

"Williams is a very good team with some explosive offensive weapons," Secor said. "This will be our biggest challenge yet but we are going to work hard in practice to get prepared. This type of game is why you play football."

"Our mindset for Williams is trying to be 1-0 this week, just like every other week," Staples said. "We are really focusing in on just them and not letting the middle of the season or our record distract us."

There is no doubt that this Saturday's game against Williams is going to be a showdown. Williams absolutely embarrassed the Panthers last year 39-18 on Middlebury's homecoming weekend. However, this year's team is led by a strong group of seniors, does not make mistakes and boasts an impressive defensive line and secondary. If the Panthers can sustrain their momentum and play how they have been playing, they could be leaving Williamstown as the only undefeated team in the conference.