Despite an exciting second-quarter comeback attempt, football fell 35–17 to Middlebury College in their last home game of the 2018 season, a game in which the team also honored its graduating seniors.
The game opened with rain, which alternated from light mistings to torrential downpours throughout the afternoon, setting a dramatic scene for what was the last collegiate football game on Steuben Field for Hamilton’s seniors.
Middlebury opened up scoring early with a 49-yard touchdown pass, giving them a quick lead. Another bang-bang pass and short rush on their next possession led to another 7 points for the Panthers, who led the game 14–0 just six minutes into the first quarter.
Hamilton closed out the half with two touchdowns and a 30-yard field goal from Sam Thoreen ’22. The first touchdown came on the ground from Joe Park ’22, who dived over Middlebury defenders to reach the endzone. Park also scored the team’s next touchdown, increasing his season touchdown count to four. He rushed for 80 yards in the game.
Another touchdown pass for Middlebury, this time from 29 yards
out, deflated some of the Continental’s energy. However, on the next Hamilton possession, quarterback Kenny Gray ’20 drove the team down the field, connecting with David Kagan ’20 multiple times. Thoreen completed the drive with his field goal, which pulled Hamilton into only a 4-point deficit going into the second half.
The second half was all Panthers, though, with Middlebury scoring a touchdown and extra point in each quarter, holding the Continentals down on offense as well. The game finished 35–17.
Joe Schmidt ’20 racked up 62 yards receiving and led both teams with six catches, while Gray threw for a total of 180 yards. Another notable play came from Mike Cairns ’22, who recovered an onside kick on special teams.
Hamilton’s defense was led by senior captain Cole Burchill ’19, who had 11 tackles. Sean Tolton ’19 also had two tackles in the loss. Justin Leigh ’20 and Colby Jones ’19 each had interceptions. Leigh ran his third career pick back for 36 yards, and Jones ran his back for 21 yards — his eighth career interception.
Hamilton will travel to Lewiston, M.E. this weekend to take on Bates College (0–8), who have yet to win a game this season. The Bobcats haven’t won a game since Nov. 4, 2017. Hamilton has beaten Bates every year since 2014.
