Football skins Bates Bobcats

Author: George Mayer

Any doubts as to how the Middlebury football team would respond to their disappointing 40-9 loss to Williams a week ago have been put to rest. In front of a packed house at Alumni Stadium during Homecoming Weekend, the Panthers dismantled winless Bates 31-7. While the defense continued its stellar play, the offense showed an increase in dominance as well.

Less than two minutes into the game, quarterback Tiger Lyon '07 hit Stefan Hrdina '07 on a screen pass for a 59-yard touchdown.

"Tiger did a great job leading our offense," said wide-receiver Andrew Matson '09. "[He] continued to make the right reads and he put the players around him in good positions to make plays."

Early in the second quarter, the Bobcats answered with a touchdown of their own scored by running back Jamie Walker. Walker, sporting a "flow" haircut that resembled Michael Bolton's, picked up 31 yards on the drive, including his one-yard touchdown scamper.

The Panthers regained control of the game later in the second quarter after a fumble recovery by linebacker Erik Woodring '08. Following the Bates turnover, Lyon hit Matson for a 31-yard reception, leading to a 41-yard field goal by kicker Steve Hauschka '07. Each team failed to score the rest of the quarter, giving the Panthers a 10-7 lead at the end of the first half.

Bates' opening drive in the second half ended prematurely as Mattthew Morrissey '07 intercepted a pass, leading to a Middlebury touchdown. Running back David Randolph '08 moved the ball up the field with a 19-yard rush, then caught a pass from Lyon for a 19-yard touchdown reception.

The Panthers continued to add to their lead on Bates' Swiss cheese defense for the remainder of the second half. Lyon's third touchdown reception of the day was caught by wide receiver Chris Schmidt '07 with 5:22 left in the third quarter.

Middlebury's final touchdown followed a 12-play, 70-yard fourth quarter drive. Lyon capped the drive off with a one-yard touchdown run giving him three throwing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown for the day.

Despite Bates' single scoring drive, the Middlebury defense was impenetrable.

"The defense really stepped up and completely shut down the Bates offense which gave us great field position," said Randolph.

Captain Scott Secor '07 led the defense with 10 tackles, while Woodring had nine. The Panther defense had nine plays for lost yardage and defensive tackle Kevin Ryan '07 recorded a sack, which brough his league leading total to 10.5.

Next up for the Panthers is Trinity College, who should prove to be a much tougher than the winless Bobcats. The winner of next week's NESCAC battle in Hartford will take sole control of second place in the conference.

Lyon and the Panthers seemed to get going offensively this past week, so they should have plenty of confidence to face the always tough Trinity defense.

The Panthers' win on Saturday guarentees that they will finish no worse than a .500 record.