WATERVILLE, Maine -- Bates College quarterback Brandon Colon (Manchester, N.H.) threw for a season-high 245 yards, but Bates couldn't overcome a double-digit first-half deficit as the Bobcats came up short against rival Colby College 24-17 on Saturday afternoon.
A 35-yard field goal by Tyler Schmelz (Monmouth Beach, N.J.) with 12:10 remaining in the fourth quarter cut the Bates deficit to four at 21-17, but that was as close as the Bobcats (1-5) would get.
Colby (5-1) kicker John Goss capped a 12-play drive with a 29-yard field goal on the ensuing possession to increase the lead to seven points. Deep in its own territory after getting the ball back, Bates failed to get a first down, and the Mules ran out the clock for the win and a jump on their third straight Colby-Bates-Bowdoin (CBB) title.
After trading first half touchdowns, Colby scored once through the air and once on the ground in the second quarter to take a 21-7 halftime lead.
Bates battled back in the second half, as Colon found fullback Adam Poplaski (Chesire, Mass.) in the end zone from three yards out with 5:32 remaining in the quarter. The score capped a 13-play, 80-yard drive and brought the Bobcats to within a touchdown going into the final quarter.
Colon finished the game 22-for-45 passing with one touchdown. Receivers Anthony Arger (Reno, Nev.) and Dylan MacNamara (San Francisco) each caught seven passes, for 90 and 95 yards, respectively. Running back Jamie Walker (Needham, Mass.) carried the ball 28 times for 89 yards, including a 1-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.
Terence Ryan had 11 tackles for Bates, including three sacks. Linebacker Dave Bodger added 15 tackles to lead the Bobcat defense, which sacked Colby quarterback Justin Smith six times.
Colby running back Aaron Stepka powered the Mule offense with 117 yards on 29 carries, while Smith was 12-for-21 through the air for 163 yards and a touchdown. Defensive back Mike Bracco paced the Colby defense with 13 tackles.
Bates will host Bowdoin at 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 5, in the Bobcats' final home contest of the year.
