On family weekend, Hamilton football suffered a tough 21–7 loss against the Amherst Mammoths, bringing their season record to 0–2. After struggling last week, losing 42–7 to Williams in the season opener, the Continentals were looking to bounce back in their home opener and tally their first win against a defense-led Amherst team looking to build off a strong week one performance.
Hamilton took an early 7–0 lead in the first quarter when quarterback Luke Kurzum ’27 capped off a 9-play, 75-yard drive with a 4-yard rushing touchdown. Amherst’s offense started sluggish with multiple drive-killing penalties and crucial turnovers, including a lost fumble and a momentum-changing interception by Hamilton’s Kyle Bratcher ’26.
Coming out of the half, the Mammoths turned to their run game, wearing down the Continentals’ defense, opening up the playbook, which allowed them to take control of the second half. Amherst methodically marched down the field, where quarterback Mason Morrow ’26 rolled out of the pocket and fired a 12-yard pass to Owen Gaydos ’25 to tie the game 7–7.
Hamilton’s offensive struggles continued with back-to-back costly three-and-outs, allowing the Mammoths to dominate time of possession. Once again, Amherst drove down the field 81 yards, predominantly running the ball and mixing in highly effective pass plays. They were able to punch in another touchdown as running back Demitrius Smith ’27 broke to the outside of the field and ran down the sideline for a 28-yard touchdown, giving Amherst a 14–7 lead with 5:28 remaining in the third quarter.
The Mammoths continued their defensive pressure, recording several sacks, and looked poised on offense. In the fourth quarter, Amherst once again drove down the field and was looking to kick a field goal, which would have stretched their lead to 10 points and made it a two-possession game and most likely putting the game on ice. But Hamilton’s special teams produced a huge block, and their offense regained possession with a chance to tie. But the Continentals’ offensive possession stalled with a failed 4th down attempt.
With their defense’s help, Hamilton got the ball back again late in the fourth quarter in a seemingly do-or-die drive. The Continentals seemed to rediscover their first-quarter offense, decisively moving the ball downfield. At midfield, Kurzum escaped the pocket and scrambled to pick up big yardage before getting hit by Amherst’s Anthony Leneghan ’25, who jarred the ball loose. The ball was recovered by Amherst’s Jeb Allen ’27, to seal a game-ending fumble.
On the next drive, the Mammoths were in field goal range, looking to run the clock out as they faced a 4th and 12. To the crowd’s surprise, they elected to forgo the field goal and go for it. Morrow chucked the ball down the right sideline to his receiver, Sam Gerber ’26, who leaped over the Continental defender and hauled in the 24-yard pass for a touchdown to seal the win for Amherst.
The game’s team stats reflect Amherst’s domination. The Mammoths had 314 yards of offense compared to the Continentals’ 200 yards. Specifically, Amherst recorded 108 yards rushing and held Hamilton to just 30 yards. Hamilton’s Chester Boynton ’27 was the Continentals’ primary source of offensive production, with a stellar ten receptions for 95 yards. Amherst’s Morrow was fantastic with 22/33 passing, recording 206 yards in the air with two touchdowns and only one interception.
Saturday’s loss puts Hamilton at the bottom of the NESCAC standings. The Continentals will travel to an 0–2 Bowdoin on Saturday, Sept. 28, at 1 p.m. Hamilton, vying for their first win after a sluggish start to the season, will turn to its offense, hoping for more production against a Bowdoin defense that conceded 39 points on Saturday.
