Football to play at Bowdoin for chance at outright CBB title

WATERVILLE, Maine --- The Colby College football team heads into Saturday's game with Bowdoin College with another chance at winning an outright Colby-Bates-Bowdoin (CBB) title for the first time since 2005.

The Mules, who have won three straight games heading into Saturday, and the Polar Bears meet at 12:30 p.m. in what is annually the biggest game of the season for both teams. The game will be Webcast at http://athletics.bowdoin.edu/webcast_channel1 and live statistics are available at http://athletics.bowdoin.edu/sports/fball/2011-12/releases/20111110ktj2g7

Colby has won or shared the CBB title in 15 of the past 23 years, but that dominance has been overshadowed somewhat by not winning an outright title the past five seasons. The three teams tied during the 2009 season and the Mules are guaranteed at least a tie this year. However, the team in possession of the CBB trophy is able to retain the coveted award for another year. The Polar Bears are looking to keep the trophy for a sixth straight year.

Besides the CBB title, Colby (3-4) and Bowdoin (3-4) also are battling for the opportunity to finish with a .500 season at 4-4. The Mules, with a victory, would have a third straight season of 4-4 play in the tough New England Small College Athletic Conference.
 
The two teams will meet for the 123rd time, with Bowdoin on top of the series at 67-46-9. The first meeting between the teams was in 1892.
 
Colby has a fine senior class looking for a first outright title. The Mules played one of their finest games in years with a convincing 37-13 win against Bates two weeks ago and then watched as the Bobcats rebounded the following week with a 24-2 win at home against Bowdoin.
 
Bowdoin has been known for being able to score points over the past few years, but the Polar Bears rank third in the NESCAC in total defense (276.0 yards allowed per game) and fourth in scoring defense (16.9 points allowed per game). Meanwhile, the offense is ninth in the 10-team league at 276.0 yards per game and Bowdoin is eighth in scoring offense (12.1).
 
Colby has a sizable difference against the Polar Bears in turnover ratio. The Mules rank third in the league with a plus-5 and Bowdoin is seventh at minus-3.
 
Special teams and turnovers were a key part of Bowdoin's 26-21 win against the Mules last year at Seaverns Field at Harold Alfond Stadium. Bowdoin used an interception return, a kickoff return, and blocked punt for a score to pull out the victory.