Bates College

Junior wide receiver Mark Riley was responsible for over half of the Bates football team's offensive yardage, catching seven passes for 143 yards and a touchdown to lead the Bobcats to a 19-12 win over Williams last Saturday at Garcelon Field, in Bates' home opener. 

Riley's performance helped the Bobcats top the Ephs for the fourth straight year, after Williams had won 22 of the first 23 meetings between the NESCAC rivals.

Among his spectacular plays against Williams were an impressive 36-yard grab staying inbounds on a left-side fade pass from senior quarterback Matt Cannone (Windham, N.H.) in the second quarter; a leaping, 18-yard touchdown catch later in the same drive; and a 52-yard reception over the middle that took Bates to the Williams 2-yard line, setting up Cannone's fourth-quarter touchdown run.

Riley has at least seven catches in every game this season and is well on his way to a breakout season. Riley averages 31 more receiving yards than any other player in the conference, at 116.3, while ranking second in receptions (24) and tying for first place in touchdown catches (3).