Panther offense stifled by Bantams in loss

The Panthers dropped to 2-4 Saturday after losing 25-10 to Trinity (5-1). Despite a strong start from the Panthers, the Bantams dominated the second half of play and extended their impressive home winning streak to 38 games. Trinity, a team known for its fortitude on defense and in the running game totaled 200 net yards on the ground while limiting the Panthers to just 226 total yards, the lowest since Oct. 28, 2006 when the Panthers were held to just 67 yards in a 34-3 loss at Trinity.
Trailing 3-0, the Panthers drew level with 4:58 remaining in the first quarter when kicker Anthony Kuchan ’11 converted a 26-yard field goal. The drive was highlighted by a 32-yard completion from quarterback and co-captain Donnie McKillop ’11 to wide receiver Matt Rayner ’11. The Bantams regained the advantage on their next possession, finishing a 14-play scoring drive with a three-yard touchdown run from outside linebacker Ben Sherry. Though listed as a defensive player, Sherry finished the game with four carries for six yards and two touchdowns. The two-way player and assistant captain also finished with six tackles to lead the Bantams defense and broke up a pass. The Panthers struck back immediately, however, taking a 10-9 lead early in the second quarter when McKillop found tight end Nick Resor ’12 in the end zone for a 12-yard score. The touchdown was set up nicely by a seven-yard catch by Resor earlier in the drive on fourth and two from the Trinity 35-yard line. Despite success on offense early, the two scoring drives proved to be the Panthers only points of the game.
Meanwhile, the Bantams ability to run the ball and convert on third down meant that the Panthers defense spent a majority of the game on the field. Trinity dominated the time of possession with a resounding 42 minutes and 20 seconds of possession. The Bantams controlled the ball for at least 10 minutes in three of the four quarters and ran 85 offensive plays compared to Middlebury’s 58. Of the 85 offensive plays Trinity ran the ball an astounding 65 times, totaling 200 yards rushing. First year running back Evan Bunker led the way, carrying the ball 44 times for 159 yards. While the total yards rushing may be impressive, the Bantams averaged just 3.1 yards per rush and 4.3 yards per play compared with the Panthers’ 3.9 yards per play average. The game hinged, therefore, on turnover differential and third down efficiency. McKillop was intercepted twice in the game by corner back Harry Melendez. The first came with just over four minutes left in the second quarter when the Panthers were trailing 16-10 and driving close to midfield. The turnover allowed the Bantams to regain possession and extend their lead 19-10 on a 22-yard field goal from Bantam kicker Tim Costello. Melendez’s second interception came late in the fourth quarter with the Bantams already leading 25-10 and the game all but out of reach.
The Panthers defense played well enough to limit the Bantam offense to minimal gains, but struggled to get off the field on third down. On the day, Trinity faced 23 third downs and converted 14. The Panthers meanwhile converted just five of 14 third down attempts –– one reason for the huge discrepancy of time of possession between the two teams.
“It was an Achilles heel for us,” said head coach Bob Ritter. “I think we did a great job being really physical up front and limiting their running game. We got them into the third down situations that we wanted to but Trinity executed plays better than we did.”
Unable to finish off drives in the end zone, the Bantams developed their lead due in large part to the ability of their kicker Costello. Costello accounted for 12 points Saturday, connecting on all four of his field goals, two of which came from beyond 30 yards.
“Our defense did a great job of keeping them out of the end zone. By holding them to field goals we were a play away from being back in the game.” The Panthers offense couldn’t take advantage of the defensive stops, however, as they were shut out by the Trinity defense in the second half.
“In the second half we struggled offensively,” Ritter said. “A couple possessions started off at our own one-yard line and we couldn’t get into the rhythm that we needed to. They controlled the ball with the run game. We didn’t convert some first downs and by converting all those first downs they really kept the ball out of our hands and limited our touches on offense.”
Defensively, several Panthers delivered standout performances. Linebacker Andrew Poulin ’11 led the team with 19 tackles, three of which went for losses, and broke up a pass. Defensive lineman Paul Carroll ’11 followed suit, adding 14 tackles and a pass break up and defensive back Mike Bilodeau ’12 also finished with 13 tackles.
“Our front guys really did a great job,” said Ritter. “It was a physical game. They needed to play really tough and really extend themselves and they did a great job. Our kids really fought tooth and nail down in the trenches.”
Offensively the Panthers were uncharacteristically quiet. McKillop finished 16 of 38 for 203 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Running back Andrew Plumley ’11 carried the ball eight times for a total of 26 yards and was held without a reception for the first time this season. Plumley came into the game averaging over seven catches a game for nearly 70 yards. In the passing game Rayner led the team with 5 receptions for 84 yards while Resor totaled 5 catches for 45 yards and the lone Panthers touchdown.
The Panthers travel to Hamilton to face the Continentals (1-5) this weekend, looking to finish the season with two straight wins.