WILLIAMSTOWN, MA – In a very evenly-matched contest that couldn't be decided in regulation, the Williams College Ephs (1-3) lost to the Middlebury College Panthers (2-2) by a score of 23-20.
Both teams started slow; the first quarter was scoreless, and the score at halftime was just 3-0, in Williams' favor. That score resulted from a 40-yard field goal by Joe Mallock to cap a drive that featured RB Alex Scyocurka breaking a 24-yard run deep into Middlebury territory.
Otherwise, the first half was characterized by defensive play. Panther LB Tim Patricia intercepted Austin Lommen to end the very first drive of the game, and the Eph defense was able to produce pivotal stops to prevent scores.
Eph DB Josh Gilkerson stopped Panther WR Grant Luna on fourth down to put an end to Middlebury's first drive of the game on the Williams 24-yard line, and Williams tri-captain Tom Cabarle intercepted an Eric Bertino pass in the end zone, stopping an impressive 79-yard Middlebury drive late in the 2nd quarter to keep the Panthers scoreless.
The 3rd quarter started in a similar fashion until, on Williams' second drive of the half, Alex Scyocurka fumbled at his own 19. Panther DB Will Bain recovered the fumble and took it to the house, catapulting Middlebury into the lead with 10:30 left in the 3rd quarter.
Two transfers of possession later, Williams was able to answer. Pinned on their own 7-yard line, QB Mark Pomella marshaled the Ephs down the field utilizing an option rushing attack; he would total 34 yards rushing on that drive. When they reached the Middlebury 30-yard line, Alex Scyocurka took matters into his own hands, cutting to the right side and finding his way to the end zone. Joe Mallock made the extra point, putting the score at 10-7.
On the following drive, Middlebury reached as far as the Williams 27, but Mike Davis put a stop to the drive with a spectacular diving play to break up a pass to Matthew Minno. Nothing happened for Williams on the next drive, and Middlebury found themselves knocking on the door of the end zone following a 50-yard drive.
However, the Eph defense held on three consecutive plays inside their own 5-yard line, and the Panthers had to settle for a Michael Dola field goal, which evened the score at 10 with 10:40 remaining in the 4th quarter.
The teams traded punts, and then, on the first play of the drive, Eph QB Austin Lommen connected with WR Lewis Hayes on a cross route in the middle of the field. Hayes broke a tackle and led the entire Middlebury defense on an electrifying chase down the field until he was finally brought down at the 8-yard line for a total gain of 77 yards. Alex Scyocurka rushed up to the 2-yard line, which set up a play-action floater to Hayes in the back of the end zone, putting Williams up 17-10 with 6:18 remaining in regulation.
The Ephs were able to stop Middlebury on their next drive but couldn't do anything on their own ensuing drive, punting the ball back to the Panthers with 2:15 left on the clock.
Three consecutive incomplete passes set up a 4th and 10 for Middlebury, but QB Matt Milano was able to find Grant Luna for the first down. Two more completions and an 8-yard scramble later, Williams was flagged for pass interference, putting the Panthers on the Williams 13-yard line. Milano connected with Brendan Rankowitz on the 2 and, two plays later, completed a swing pass to Drew Jacobs for a touchdown with just under a minute left.
Michael Dola made the PAT, tying the game up, and Williams didn't try to do anything dramatic with the final possession of regulation. Thus, the game went to overtime.
In Division III overtime, each team gets one possession from their opponent's 25-yard line until one team scores. Middlebury won the toss and elected to go on defense first. Williams was able to get the ball to the 3-yard line with screen passes to Scyocurka and Jean-Luc Etienne, but the Panther defense held on the goal line and forced Joe Mallock to kick a field goal, provisionally putting the Ephs up 20-17.
The pressure was on for the Williams defense. After allowing a short pass and rush by Drew Jacobs to put the Panthers on the 14, they forced a 3rd down and 10. However, Matt Milano was able to find Brendan Rankowitz in the end zone right past the outstretched fingers of Tom Cabarle, giving Middlebury the score they needed. The final score was 23-20.
Panthers' quarterback Matt Milano went 19-37 (51%) for 155 yards and two touchdowns, and drew Jacobs registered 68 yards receiving on eight receptions. The Panthers' rushing attack was split between Jacobs, who totaled 81 yards on 22 carries, and Jonathan Hurvitz, who ran for 88 yards on 18 attempts.
Austin Lommen led the Ephs' passing attack, completing 19 of his 29 passes (66%) for 234 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Alex Scyocurka led the Ephs on the ground with 98 yards on 27 carries, and Lewis Hayes notched 116 yards receiving on 4 catches, mostly on the strength of his 77-yard reception in the fourth quarter.
On the defensive side, Middlebury LB Addison Pierce led all tacklers with 18, including 11 solo, while James O'Grady led the Ephs in tackles with 11 (7 solo). Also, Tim Patricia notched an interception as well as a forced fumble for the Panthers. Jack Crowell for Middlebury and Mike Flynn for Williams both registered individual sacks, and Panthers Jack Pierce and Jake Vacovec split a sack.
Additionally, Eph placekicker Joe Mallock broke the record for most field goals made in a career, previously held by Scott Soboloewski '10, with his 24th career field goal.
In a terse interview after the game, Eph head coach Aaron Kelton expressed disappointment with the outcome of the game, but not displeasure with his players, saying, "There's a lot of good stuff that's there. I mean, we are super close: we were in overtime. Our kids are fighting and battling…its' not frustration, it's that I want my kids to win." Kelton emphasized that the team's focus is always on the next game: "We've got four games left, winnable games, so we come back on Sunday, get back to work, and go down to Tufts and try to win that one."
The Panther's victory is their third straight against the Ephs and marks the first time they have defeated them in back-to-back games in Williamstown since 1973. Williams still holds a commanding lead in the all-time series: 66-20-1. Next week Williams will travel to Tufts, while Middlebury will host Bates.