Panthers storm back to beat Tufts

Author: Nick Martell

The Middlebury football team that had fallen to Trinity College just two weeks ago surged with vengeance in Clinton, N.Y. on Nov. 1, clawing its way to a 31-28 victory against the Continentals. Building off this momentum in the final game of the season, the Panthers came away with a 38-24 win over Tufts on Nov. 8, topping off a 2008 campaign defined by the strong contributions of the young players who stepped up in the wake of so many key Middlebury injuries.

With the two victories, Middlebury finishes the season at 5-3, its third straight season over .500. The senior class ends their career as one of the most successful groups in Middlebury history, posting a four-year record of 21-11.

Raised in rural Vermont, season-long backup quarterback Jack Kramer '10.5 came to the big town of Middlebury as part of a long line of collegiate family quarterbacks. And when he took the reigns of the Panther's offensive operations after a serious injury to starting quarterback and standout talent Donald McKillop '11 in the Trinity game, the Kramer tradition was underway.

In his debut against Hamilton, the wide-eyed country-boy went 22 for 44, posting over 300 yards with his three touchdown passes as the Panther offense out-gained the Continentals 390-329. On defense, Steve Hardin '10 notably replaced injured Eric Kamback '10, and Andrew Poulin '11 rose to the occasion again as a linebacker.

The game was ultimately won by the dairy-infused foot of Wisconsin product Anthody Kuchan '11, whose 33-yard field goal with 11 seconds left put Middlebury in the lead for the first time in the game.

The Panthers' performance against Hamilton proved to be just the spark they needed to finish an inconsistent season on a high note. Returning to Youngman Field at Alumni Stadium in the victory over Tufts, Middlebury finally put back-to-back wins together for the first time this year.

After a difficult and slow first half, the Panthers drove in 31 points in the final two quarters while holding the Jumbos to just one touchdown en route to notching the final check in the win column.

Embracing everyone in sight after the game with his long receiver arms that clung to the blue jerseys, an emotional Tim Monaghan '10 reflected on the team's resurgent feat at the end of the season, restraining his sentiments with only clenched fists.

"We really came together like a family on Thanksgiving in the second half of the season, but with all the obstacles we faced, we only excelled under the leadership, direction and example of our seniors."

Captain Andrew Matson '09, who earned District I Academic All-American status, finished his career leading both the Panthers and the league overall with the most receiving yards per game, and had the second most touchdown receptions per game.

Jamie Millard '10, Kamback and McKillop also made their presences known on the field this fall, finishing first in all-purpose yards, second in most tackles per game and first with most passing yards per game, respectively.

"Despite the rain, this last game of our careers was simply a beautiful day - a beautiful day," said Chris Angelini '08.5, emphatically referencing the Irish rock group U2's 2000 hit single.

In many ways, Middlebury's season was a costumed enigma that, weekly, through unpredictable wins and losses, never fully assumed its true form and identity, momentum or dynamic.

As the wounded Panthers hibernate over the cold months ahead in preparation for spring training, they will nurse the injuries that so heavily impaired their lineup, continue to cherish their 2007 NESCAC Championship rings, and in the spirit of both Angelini and Bono, begin to dream of next year's "beautiful day."