Waterville, Maine

The Colby College football team remained undefeated for the season with a 28-21 victory over Middlebury College on Saturday afternoon. Colby was led by sophomore quarterback Pat Conley (Bath, Me) who went 18-30 with three touchdowns, one interception, and threw for 227 yards.

Middlebury scored first at 8:56 in the first quarter with a 53 yard run by Bryan Sanchez. The extra point by Andy Statires put the Panthers up 7-0. Colby soon followed with a big play of their own as Conley connected with Danny Noyes (Silver Lake, NH) for a 43-yard touchdown play at 6:28 in the first. Noyes recorded 10 catches for 142 yards on the day. Keith Jonassen's (Albion, Me) extra point attempt was good and the score was now 7-7.

The White Mules accumulated 24 unanswered points in the first half. In the second quarter, Colby notched another seven points as Conely connected with Andrew Tripp (Saco, Me) for a 54-yard touchdown, and Jonassen nailed another point after attempt at 8:08. Colby's defense stifled the Middlebury offense as the White Mules stayed their ground. Colby scored on their next two possessions.

Colby's next drive began at their 35-yard line, after a Middlebury punt of 30 yards by Denny Smith. A White Mules holding penalty forced them back to the 20-yard line. On the next play from scrimmage, Noyes carried the ball 80 yards for the third Colby touchdown. Colby now led Middlebury 21-7.

On Middlebury's next possession, Panther quarterback Scott Roberts' (14 for 27, two touchdowns, two interceptions, 130 yards) pass was picked off by Colby sophomore Lee Carlson (Braintree, Ma) at the Colby 45-yard line. Six plays later, Dave McGeehan (Winchester, Ma) caught a 17-yard touchdown pass from Conley. The point after attempt was good as the White Mules pushed their lead to 24-7.

In the second half, Middlebury tightened their defense and fought back against Colby. It was a see-saw battle as both teams exchanged the ball on either interceptions, downs, or punts. Roberts was intercepted by Colby's Luke Webster (Manchester, NH) early in the third. The White Mules, however, could not convert on a fourth and two on Middlebury's two-yard line and lost the ball on downs. Likewise, the Panthers could not push down the field any further than their own 15-yard line. Colby's offense could not get started on the next possession and they had to punt the ball after six plays. With 3:07 left in the third Middlebury started picking away at the Colby lead with a one-yard touchdown pass from Roberts to Zac Campbell. The Colby lead was now 24-14.

The fourth quarter was as tedious as the third with both teams were vying for possession. Middlebury could not convert until their last possession, at 1:09 left in the game. This drive was set up by a 31-yard punt return by the Panthers' Denny Smith with 2:17 left in the game. Middlebury drove to Colby's seven-yard line. A Scott Roberts pass to John Dickie, followed by an Andy Statires kick made it 28-21 Colby.

Middlebury's on-side kick by Mike Frissora traveled 15 yards before going out of bounds. With less than a minute left in the game, Colby's Conley took two knees to seal the Mules' win.

The White Mules football team returns to action next Saturday, October 7, when Wesleyan University visits during the homecoming weekend.

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