MIDDLEBURY, Vt. -- The host Middlebury College Panthers scored three touchdowns that went for more than 50 yards on their way to a 48-7 win over the Bates football team Saturday afternoon in NESCAC action.

After forcing a quick three-and-out, Middlebury (5-1) capitalized on its first possession of the game. Cole Kennon found Mike Ahonen for a 56-yard touchdown pass and Zach Levy split the uprights for the early 7-0 edge.

Levy converted a 47-yard field goal on the Panthers' second drive of the game to make it 10-0.

With 16 seconds left in the opening stanza, Kennon connected with Patrick Jamin for an 11-yard scoring strike. Levy tallied the PAT, putting Middlebury up 17-0 after one quarter of action.

Tomás Kenary turned Bates over with a strip-sack to start the second session. The Panthers took advantage of their field position at the Bobcats' 22-yard line, as Cody Weitzman bolted into the end zone for a nine-yard rushing touchdown. 

Later in the quarter, Kennon found Donovan Wood for a 29-yard touchdown reception, and the extra point made the score 31-0.

Bates (0-6) made its way down the field with 3:07 remaining in the half, eventually scoring when junior captain Colton Bosselait (Westminster, Mass.) hooked up with senior captain Steven Guerrette (Bow, N.H.) for a nine-yard scoring strike. First-year Marcos Ruiz (Haskell, N.J.) converted the extra point to cut the deficit to 31-7 at the halftime break.

Levy booted a 24-yard field goal through the uprights to give the Panthers a 34-7 lead early in the third quarter.

With just under four minutes remaining in the stanza, Kennon slung an 83-yard touchdown pass to Caleb Smith and Levy converted the PAT to extend the Middlebury advantage to 41-7.

In the final frame, Brian Moran connected with Jimmy Cosolito on a pair of short passes, before finding Michael Yamin for a 58-yard scoring strike. 

First-year quarterback Seneca Moore (Lansing, Mich.) was a bright spot for Bates, coming off the bench to run the ball 18 times for 77 yards. He also completed 7-12 passes for 84 yards. The Bobcats struggled to protect their quarterbacks, with Bosselait and Moore getting sacked a combined five times.

Junior captain Matt Juneau (Wakefield, Mass.) paced the Bobcats on defense with nine total tackles, including five solo stops.

Bates is back in action next Saturday when the Bobcats host Williams at 1pm.