The football team (2–1 NESCAC) is off to a strong start for the 2019 season. Their latest impressive performance came in the form of a 45–24 win on Saturday, Sept. 28 against the Colby College Mules during Fallcoming and Family Weekend.
The Continentals beat Colby with standout performances from many players, including quarterback Kenny Gray ’20, who threw two touchdown passes and ran for a third. In total, Gray passed for 179 yards and ran for 71.
David Kagan ’20, who was named NESCAC Offensive Player of the Week in the team’s season opener two weeks prior, scored two of the Continentals’ touchdowns and had 63 rushing yards. Kagan is currently №1 in the NESCAC in rushing yards per game (117.3) and second in scoring (36 total points).
Hamilton’s special teams were also efficient against the Mules. Sam Robinson ’20 averaged 43 yards on three punt returns, and Billy Wagner ’20 averaged 45.5 yards on four punts. Robinson and Wagner are both currently ranked first in the league in average yards on returns (32.9) and punts (41.9), respectively. Additionally, Sam Thoreen ’22 was 6/6 on extra points and similarly perfect on his lone field goal attempt.
On the defensive end, Justin Leigh ’20 and Carmine Bruno ’20 each had four solo tackles. Leigh led the team with eight total tackles. Hamilton’s three interceptions came from Mike Cairns ’22, Ian Esliker ’21, and Jeremy Barr ’21. Mufudzi Chogugudza ’21 broke up two passes and had three solo tackles.
Robinson scored Hamilton’s first touchdown during their second possession off a 62-yard pass from Gray. Colby then scored on their next possession, making the score 7–7. Hamilton’s next two touchdowns came from Gray and Kagan, who each posted 11 yard rushing touchdowns.
With less than four minutes left in the first half, Will Budington caught a 17-yard touchdown pass from Gray in the endzone. Soon after, James Ball ’21 blocked a punt from Colby, leading to a 12-yard rush and touchdown by defensive lineman Alex Ganter ’20. Ball was named to the D3football.com Team of the Week following the game.
Kagan rushed for his second touchdown to finish the first half with the Continentals ahead 42–10. The only points scored by Hamilton in the second half came on a field goal by Thoreen. Two Colby touchdowns were not enough for the Mules to catch up after the Continentals’ thrilling second-quarter run.
The football team looks to build on this win as their competitive league play continues. Their next home game is on Saturday, Oct. 19 against Amherst College on Steuben Field at 1:00 PM.
