NESCAC football competition heating up

This week featured another exciting round of football games in the NESCAC. Trinity scored an important victory, defeating Middlebury 22-20 at home in the rain. Though only 2-4, the Panthers have played tough luck football this season, outscoring opponents 120-111 overall. Though they dropped behind early, the Bantams dominated in almost every aspect of the game. Trinity had 23 first downs compared to Middlebury's nine, out rushed the Panthers 275-49, and held the ball for 42:09 of the 60 minute game. Trinity improved its record to an impressive 5-1, good enough for a three-way tie for second place, as it prepares to host another 5-1 team, Amherst, this Saturday.

Two of the leagues other top teams, Williams and Wesleyan, also scored impressive victories last Saturday. The Ephs had no problem with a sorry Hamilton squad, and improved to 6-0 with a 31-6 victory. Williams gained 362 yards of total offense, and shutout the Continentals until late in the fourth quarter. The Ephs should have some concern, however, as Joe Reardon, widely regarded as the league's top quarterback, threw two more interceptions. Likewise, Wesleyan easily defeated Bowdoin by a 17-3 margin.

Williams, the league's only undefeated team, hosts the 5-1 Wesleyan Cardinals, who have had a knack for playing close contests all season. The Cardinals were upset by Colby in week three, but won a classic 14-13 game over Amherst two weeks ago. With a win at Williams, Wesleyan would put itself in control of its own destiny for a NESCAC crown.

The Amherst Lord Jeffs came dangerously close to dropping out of championship contention altogether, but staged an unlikely fourth quarter rally against Tufts. Down 14 points, the Lord Jeffs made two long touchdown drives and converted a two-point conversion to send the game into overtime and set up a game-winning field goal. If they are able to defeat Trinity, the Jeffs will head into the season's final game against Williams with a chance to win the crown, but only if they finish with a better overall record than Wesleyan.

Also this weekend Bates battles Bowdoin and Middlebury travels to Hamilton in games featuring the NESCAC's have nots. The Continentals have been by far the league's most pathetic team, compiling a doormat's 0-6 record, while being outscored 184-37 by opponents. Bates and Bowdoin are each 1-5 and have been outscored by almost 100 points each.

While the Continentals are the league's most pathetic team, the Jumbos are the league's biggest enigma. Tufts has outscored opponents by almost 60 points, and in each of the past three weeks have squandered fourth quarter leads. The Jumbos have perfected the heartbreaking defeat.

Against Trinity it was two botched extra points, a muffed hold on a field goal, and a controversial roughing the kicker call that allowed Tufts to fall 14-13. Tufts was within a first down of defeating Williams when a hole in the offensive line allowed for a safety late in the fourth frame. And the inability to run out the clock against Amherst allowed to Jeffs to overcome a large deficit. Certainly, a mediocre 3-3 record could easily be 6-0.