Colby Football Team Improves Record to 4-1 with Win Over Hamilton

Waterville, Maine

The Colby College football team extended its season record to 4-1 with a home win over Hamilton College (1-4) on Saturday, 13-3. The Mules were again led by sophomore quarterback Pat Conley (Bath, Me) who threw for 246 yards (17-30-1).

In a game riddled with fumbles. Colby was able to maintain the gods' favor. The first fumble occurred during a fourth and six during the White Mules' first possession of the game. Punter Andrew Tripp (01, Saco, Me) kicked the ball 28 yards into shallow Hamilton territory. The ball hit a Hamilton player on its decent and Colby bodies jumped on the ball. The Mules were positioned on the Hamilton 42-yard line. On the first play from scrimmage Conley threw a 26-yarder to Tripp. Colby was now at the Continentals' 16-yard line. Three unsuccessful plays later, Keith Jonassen (02, Albion, Me) attempted a 27 yard field goal, but the ball sailed wide right of the uprights.

Hamilton started their first drive of the game at their 20-yard line. The Continentals' Mike Pellman threw a completed pass to teammate Chris McCarthy for what looked to be a three-yard gain. Colby's Mike Moran, however, caused the ball to pop-out of McCarthy's hands and the White Mules were able to once again take over possession of the ball.

Colby assumed command at the Hamilton 23-yard line. Danny Noyes (02, Silver Lake, NH) was able to help Colby get closer to the end-zone by rushing 13 yards in three plays. The next rush by Noyes resulted in a forced fumble by Hamilton's Ryan Nolan.

Hamilton started at their 15-yard line. They were only able take the ball 12 yards down field and ended the drive punting the ball away. Greg Bemis' punt traveled 34 yards to the Colby 43-yard line, as Colby's Brandon Irwin (04, Sherburne, NY) returned the ball four yards.

Colby wasted little time and did not squander its next possession. Sophomore Don Williams (Owl's Head, Me) caught a 12-yard pass to bring the Mules to the Hamilton 41-yard line. On the second play from scrimmage, Conley found Williams again, this time for a 34-yard gain that set Colby at the Hamilton seven-yard line. Junior Rashad Randolph (New York, NY) rushed seven yards for the first touchdown of the game with 5:49 remaining in the first quarter. Jonassen's point after attempt missed the uprights as Colby took a 6-0 advantage.

The Mules' second score of the game was set up late in the first quarter. Colby received a Hamilton punt at their 19-yard line with 1:49 remaining in the first quarter. Two plays later Colby found themselves at the 50, thanks to Noyes' 31 yards of rushing. In the third play of the drive Conley found senior Lou DiStasi (Chelmsford, Ma) for a 16-yard gain. Noyes then rushed for eight more yards as Colby ended the quarter at the Continentals' 26-yard line. Tripp caught a Conley pass for 11 yards, which drove the Mules to the 18-yard line. The next play saw the Mules score their second touchdown of the game.

Colby had a second opportunity to score in the half when the Mules recovered a Hamilton fumble at their 40-yard line. Colby's offense drove to the Hamilton 26-yard line. On the next play, Conley was looking deep for a receiver. He found the wrong receiver as Hamilton defensive back Thatcher Freebo intercepted Conley's pass at the five-yard line. Hamilton could only gain five yards on their ensuing drive and had to punt the ball away. Colby received the ball at their 40-yard line. The Mules drove to Hamilton's 15, but could not drive any further. Jonassen attemped a 25-yard field goal with 4:07 remaining in the half but missed wide left. The score at the end of the half was Colby 13, Hamilton 0.

Hamilton wasted little time scoring in the second half. The Continentals' McCarthy took a Jonassen 48-yard kickoff 64 yards to the Colby 31-yard line. A pass interference call against Colby brought the Continentals to Colby's 16-yard line. On their next three drives, Hamilton lost a total of three yards and decided to try a field goal. Greg Bemis kicked the ball 29 yards for the first, and only, Hamilton score of the day. The score was now Colby 13, Hamilton 3.

Colby received the ball on the kickoff for their next possession, but could not get past midfield. In a bizarre third down play, Conley punted the ball 17 yards to the Hamilton 32-yard line. Hamilton took advantage of this opportunity and marched down the field in eight plays to the Colby five-yard line. Colby's Mike DiStefano (03, Lexington, Ma) sacked Hamilton quarterback Mike Pellman for a nine yard loss on third down. Bemis' fourth down field goal attempt from 25 yards missed, allowing the Mules to maintain their 10 point lead.

On their last possession of the game, Hamilton positioned themselves for one more attempt at the end-zone. With 1:31 remaining in the game the Continentals drove from their 41-yard line to the Colby 24. Thirty seconds remained on the clock as Hamilton's Pellman was rushed to throw the ball. This time Colby junior Patrick Fahey (Bannockburn, Il, 13 tackle, 1 interception) was the Mule who picked off Pellman's pass.

Colby came out victorious in a turnover filled home NESCAC game, 13-3. The Mules travel to Bates College next Saturday, October 28, for a 1:00pm CBB rivalry game. Hamilton returns home next week to host the Ephs of Williams College.

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