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Bates football breaks through, defeats previously unbeaten Wesleyan 24-13

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MIDDLETOWN, Conn. -- The Bates football team executed in all three phases of the game on Saturday, defeating previously unbeaten Wesleyan on the road by a score of 24-13, making some history in the process.

The Bobcats (1-2 NESCAC) beat the Cardinals (2-1 NESCAC) for the first time since 2005, and for the first time in Middletown, Conn. since 1981. 

In a breakthrough performance against Bates head coach Matt Coyne's alma mater, the Bobcats took a 7-3 lead early in the second quarter and never surrendered it. 

With Wesleyan leading 3-0, senior captain Matt Juneau (Wakefield, Mass.) recovered a fumble by Cardinal quarterback Niko Candido with 2:11 remaining in the first quarter. Taking over at their own 41, the Bobcats picked up a first down on third and five when senior captain Colton Bosselait (Westminster, Mass.) found junior Sergio Beltran (East Palo Alto, Calif.) for six yards to the Wesleyan 48. Beltran broke one tackle after making the catch and got the yards they needed for the first down before going out of bounds.

Sophomore Ryan Lynskey (Cranford, N.J.) plunged forward for five yards to wrap up the first quarter, and on the first play of the second quarter, Bosselait found sophomore Ryan Gleason (Millbury, Mass.) on a quick hitter to the far side for 16 yards and a first down to the Wesleyan 27. On third and seven from the Wesleyan 24, Lynskey took a hand-off from Bosselait, got a great block from sophomore wide receiver Jake Walters (West Lafayette, Ind.) and cut it outside for the go-ahead touchdown, a 24-yard scamper to the house. Sophomore Marcos Ruiz (Haskell, N.J.) made the extra point and Bates led 7-3 with 13:15 remaining until halftime.

Lynksey's performance on Saturday was one for the books, as he ran the ball 23 times for a career-high 121 yards, averaging 5.3 yards per carry. 

The Cardinals moved the ball on their next drive, but they botched a field goal attempt when the holder dropped the snap. First-year Samuel Christopher (Los Angeles) chased him down for a 14-yard loss and a turnover on downs. 

Then Bates used the big play to really put the Cardinals in a hole. On third and three from their own 41, sophomore quarterback Seneca Moore (Lansing, Mich.) handed the ball off to his classmate Lynskey, and the breakout star of the season so far on offense for Bates bounced it to the outside and took it all the way, 59 yards, for the touchdown. Ruiz made the extra point and the Bobcats led 14-3 with 6:13 left in the second quarter.

But the Cardinals bounced back quickly. On third and nine from their own 13, Candido connected with Chase Wilson for an 87-yard touchdown pass, trimming the Bates lead to 14-10 after the extra point.

The teams traded punts to end the first half, leaving Bates up by four.

Big plays continued to be a theme, as the Bobcats got the ball to start the third quarter. Facing a third and 12 from their own 14, Bosselait dropped back and found one-on-one coverage on the outside. He lofted a perfect pass to Gleason, who beat his defender and took it 86 yards for a touchdown, making the score 21-10 after Ruiz made the extra point. Gleason finished the afternoon with five catches for a game-high 119 yards and a touchdown.

A holding call on the ensuing kick-off pinned Wesleyan at their own 11. The Cardinals were able to move the ball to the Bates 49. But on a third and 13, they tried to hit Wilson deep, and Christopher broke up the pass, forcing a punt.

The Bobcats were forced to punt as well, and once against Wesleyan was able to move the ball. They ended the third quarter facing a third and goal with the ball at the Bates nine yard line. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Candido found Blake Newcomb for an eight-yard gain over the middle. Sophomore Jack Morrison (Manchester Center, Vt.) was able to make a touchdown saving tackle for Bates, setting up fourth and goal at the one. An offsides call against Bates moved the ball to the one-half yard line. Candido took the snap, rolled to his left, and with a pair of Bobcats hunting him, fired a pass to Wilson in the end zone. First-year Marquez Narvaez-Estrada (Montgomery Village, Md.) was there in coverage and broke up the pass, giving Bates a huge defensive stop.

Bates was forced to punt though, and Wesleyan got the ball back with great field position at the Bobcat 27. They got it down to the Bates 15, but the defense held again, forcing a field goal attempt. Wesleyan kicker Gage Hammond made the 33-yarder, cutting the Bates lead to 21-13 with 9:52 remaining in regulation.

Starting at their own 25, the Bobcats ate some clock on their next drive, matriculating the ball down the field. Bosselait continued to be on-target, finding Gleason and senior captain Steven Guerrette (Bow, N.H.) for first downs on the drive. On third and two from the Wesleyan 23, Lynskey gained a yard, setting up a fourth down. Instead of going for the first down, Coyne trusted his young kicker, and Ruiz did not disappoint, nailing a 38-yard field goal to cap off a drive that took just under eight minutes.

Now down by 11, the Cardinals got the ball back with 1:50 to play. They got the ball to the Bates 40 before sophomore linebacker Ryan Rozich (Cromwell, Conn.) broke up a pass over the middle with a big hit on Wilson, giving the ball back to Bates and sealing the win.

Christopher led all Bates players with nine total tackles, including one tackle for loss, and he also broke up two passes. Juneau added eight total tackles and Rozich finished with seven. 

Bosselait was perfect at quarterback for Bates, completing all seven of his pass attempts for 137 yards and a touchdown.

Bates completely took away Wesleyan's run game, holding the Cardinals to just 95 yards on the ground. The Bobcats now sport the No. 3 rushing offense in the NESCAC and the No. 2 rushing defense.

The Bobcats are back in action next Saturday when they visit rival Colby (0-3) for a 7 p.m. kick. 

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