LEWISTON, ME – In a game that felt at many points like a battle of the punters, the Williams College Ephs (1-2) lost a nailbiter to the Bates College Bobcats (1-2) by a score of 19-12.
The teams appeared evenly matched for the majority of the game, but with both teams hampered by turnovers and inconvenient penalties, the Bobcats came out on top when the final whistle sounded.
Bates drew first blood, scoring on their second drive of the game. After starting on their own 20-yard line, the Bobcats marched down the field in an extended and consistent 17-play drive, heavily utilizing the triple option. The Eph defense finally forced a fourth down with the Bobcat offense in the redzone, but Bates QB Matt Cannone drew them offsides with a hard count. This penalty handed the Bobcats a first down that they quickly converted into a 7-yard touchdown run on the very next play. First-year kicker Drew Korn missed the PAT, putting the score at 6-0 in favor of Bates.
The ensuing Williams drive was cut short by an interception by Bates S Ryan Newson of an overthrown pass, but the Ephs defense prevented the Bobcat offense from gaining a first down, forcing a punt.
The teams traded excellent punts for the next few series, with each pinning their opponent inside their own 20, until Williams QB Austin Lommen was able to complete a 40-yard pass to Steven Kiesel on a play-action rollout, putting the Ephs at the Bates 30-yard line. An 11-yard rush by RBAlex Scyocurka on 3rd down and a screen pass to WR Lewis Hayes set up a 6-yard touchdown run by Scyocurka. The extra point was no good due to a high snap, leaving the score at 6-6 with 6:36 left in the second quarter.
The next Bates drive ended when QB Matt Cannone couldn't connect with RB Sean Carroll on an option toss resulting in a fumble that was recovered by Eph LB Jack Ryan at the Bates 28-yard line. A 27-yard pass to Alex Way on first down brought the Ephs to the doorstep of the end zone, and two plays later Scyocurka found his way to pay dirt for his second touchdown of the game. The extra point failed again, putting the score at 12-6.
After a few more punts, Cannone lost another fumble in his own territory, this time on a botched handoff. However, this Bates turnover was answered by a matching Williams turnover, another interception by Bates S Ryan Newson on a first-down pass by Lommen.
A beautiful 36-yard pass to WR Mark Riley down the left sideline jumpstarted the ensuing Bates drive, and, after an 11-yard rush to the right side by RB Frank Williams, Cannone connected with Riley again, this time in the end zone. Korn was able to convert the PAT this time, giving the Bobcats a 13-12 lead with less than a minute left in the half. Williams knelt to end the half.
Neither team scored in a 3rd quarter that saw a combined 6 punts. Bates punter David Kurey punted 8 times for a total of 354 yards with a long of 64 yards, while Williams punter Joe Mallock booted a total of 6 in the game, landing 4 inside the Bates 20 for a total of 236 yards Additionally, Williams first-year returner Connor Harris utilized his speed to total 33 yards on 5 punt returns and averaged 39 yards on his 3 kickoff returns for a total of 149 return yards on the game.
After a Kurey punt went out of bounds at the Williams 42, the Eph offense burst into Bobcat territory with a 34-yard pass from Lommen to WR Colin Brown to the Bates 24–yard line. After strong defense by the Bobcats and an unfortunate illegal substitution penalty, Joe Mallock came out to attempt a 43-yard field goal. The kick was blocked, however, and the Bobcats recovered at the Bates 15.
This set up an impressive 85-yard, 14-play drive that would result in the final score of the game, a Bates touchdown. Bobcat RB James Semmonella found success running up the middle, hammering away at the Eph defense all the way to midfield. After forcing a 3rd and 15, the Williams defense allowed a 52-yard pass deep down the middle of the field to Mark Riley to give Bates 1st and Goal on the 2-yard line. Williams held on first and second downs, but QB Matt Cannone snuck up the middle on third down for the score. With the PAT missed again, the score was 19-12 with only 2:28 left in the game.
The Williams offense found modest success on this crucial drive, marching up to the Bates 31, but Austin Lommen could not complete passes on 3rd or 4th down, leaving only 58 seconds on the clock and effectively ending the game.
Bates executed a multi-faceted ground attack, with three rushers notching over 28 yards, led by James Semmonela with 51 yards on 16 carries. Quarterback Matt Cannone went 12-19 for 161 yards and one touchdown, plus his game-sealing rushing score. Cannone's favorite target by far was Mark Riley, who caught 7 passes for 143 yards receiving and a touchdown.
Alex Scyocurka led the Ephs on the ground with 59 yards on 19 carries, while Austin Lommen completed 22 of his 35 pass attempts for 206 yards, though with two interceptions. Colin Brown and Steven Kiesel both had good games receiving, with Brown notching 69 yards receiving on 7 catches and Kiesel recording 68 on 6.
The teams were very even statistically, mirroring each other on penalty yardage, yards per rush, and yards per pass attempt. The game really came down to circumstances: a fumble that set up a touchdown here, an interception that cut short a promising drive there, a penalty that lengthened a crucial third down.
After the game, Eph head coach Aaron Kelton said, "They were able to make plays when they needed to, but when we needed to, we couldn't."
Kelton added, "It really came down to what we did in this game more than anything they did. That's not to take away from that team, they clearly did enough to win...Both teams fought hard, and this was a disappointing loss for us."
Coach Kelton is looking forward to next week, saying, "We'll be back home playing a good Middlebury team; they run the ball well too. We've just got to work hard this week, and I think we've got a great shot at winning next Saturday."
This victory over the Ephs' is the Bobcats' fourth in a row, despite being just their 5th all-time. Next week, Bates will host Wesleyan at 1:00 in Lewiston, while Williams will face Middlebury in Williamstown at 2:00.